Thingalur Chandran Temple by Kalai Selvan

The Thingalur Chandran temple or Chandiranaar Temple lies in the village of Thingalur, which is located 37 km from Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of the temple is Soma (Moon). But the main deity here is “Kailasanathar” or Lord Shiva. This is one of the 9 Navagraha Sthalas or temples in Tamil Nadu and forms a part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage circuit in the state.

The temple has an idol of Lord Chandra housed in a separate shrine. Kailasanathar Swamy temple is one of the nine Navagraha temples found in the Cauvery delta region. The Moon is known as Thingal in Tamil.

The Moon in Astrology

The Moon is an influential planet in Vedic Astrology. If the Sun is the king of the planets, the Moon is the queen. As the Moon rules the mind and emotions, if it is not well-placed in the birth chart, it can have a negative impact on the native’s personality. They may have mood swings and are likely to be indecisive or prone to taking the wrong decisions. It can also cause mental disorders.

As per mythology, the Moon emerged from the Milky Ocean during its churning by the Asuras and Devas. He has a brilliant form and is regarded as one of the Devas. The Markandeya Purana says that Chandra was born to Sage Atri and his wife Anasuya due to the divine grace of Brahma.

If the Moon’s position in your horoscope is good, you will have a pleasant and charming nature, and it has a very beneficial effect on your life. It gives you a positive attitude, as well as intuitive power and inspiration.

Effects of Strong Moon: When the Moon occupies a favorable sign, it bestows good results. You will be mentally stable and able to overcome difficult situations easily. You will have a cheerful disposition and lead a happy life. Moon gives the ability to make wise decisions. It gives you a charming personality.

Effects of Beneficial Moon: It bestows the mental balance to face your sorrows calmly. If the mind is peaceful and happy, nothing else matters.

Effects of Afflicted Moon: Afflicted Moon can cause cold and fever. It makes you changeable. You may fall sick often and may not have proper growth.

All this reveals the importance of the Moon in our life and destiny. People who face problems due to an afflicted Moon in their birth chart come to Thingalur Chandran temple and perform prescribed Poojas and Homas to appease Lord Chandra.

What Does Chandra rule?

1. Nerves, mental state, emotions, Jaundice.

2. Health of wife and mother

3. Foreign Travel

4. Help from the Government

5. Ownership of vehicles

A person with an afflicted Moon or Chandra Dosha in their horoscope often faces many problems in life. They will be victims of misunderstandings, and they may have doubts about their decisions. They will lack determination and will be unable to control their thoughts. They may also suffer from nervousness, weak memory and depression. The Moon is a great devotee of Lord Shiva as he gave relief from Daksha’s curse. Worshipping Shiva is one remedy for this Dosha. One can also perform remedial rituals at Navagraha temples like Thingalur Chandran temple.

Temple History and Architecture

The temple was supposedly constructed by kings of the Chola dynasty during the 10th and 12th centuries A.D. The poet, Appar, has sung about this place in his verses, but as there is no mention of the deity, it is not included among the Paadal Petra Sthalams. The temple’s five-tier Rajagopuram is surrounded by two prakarams. Chandra’s idol is in the second precinct. It is made of black granite and is usually covered with white cloth.

Lord Shiva is known as Kailasanathar here. Many devotees frequent this temple for the first rice feeding or ‘Anna Prasanam’ of their infant children. Special Poojas are performed here on Pournami or full moon day and Mondays. It is believed that worshipping here can remove delays in marriage, boost education, and bless the childless with progeny.

Thingalur Chandran Temple Legends

Chandran had 27 wives, who were the daughters of Daksha Prajapathi. Of the 27, Chandran favored Rohini and spent most of his time with her, ignoring his other wives. This angered Daksha, and he cursed Chandran to fade away gradually. To free himself from the curse, Chandran did penance for Lord Siva here. Shiva saved him by adorning his head with the crescent moon. Since it was not possible to reverse Daksha’s curse completely, the Moon keeps waxing and waning.

Another legend talks about Apputhi Adigal, a merchant who lived in Thingalur and was a devoted follower of Thirunavukkarasar, one of the Nayanmars. One day, hearing that his Guru would be visiting the temple town, Apputhi Adigal decided to invite him to a feast at his house.

To serve the food, he wanted some plantain leaves and told his son to get them from the garden. But a snake bit the boy, and he died. However, Apputhi Adigal hid his son’s body as he did not want to cancel the feast. But Thirunavukkarasar discovered the truth. Touched by Apputhi’s devotion, he carried the boy’s corpse to the Shiva temple and sang the Thevaram, ‘Ondru Kolam’, beseeching the Lord to restore the lad’s life. Shiva was pleased by the song and revived the boy. The story of Apputhi Adigal can be found in poet Sekkizhar’s Periya Puranam.