The temple is one of the nine Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu and is a part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage in the state - it houses the image of Moon (called Thingal locally). The planets are believed to influence the horoscope computed based on time of one's birth and subsequently influence the course of life.
Each of the planets are believed to move from a star to another during a predefined period and thus sway over an individual's fortunes. The Navagrahas, as per Hindu customs, are believed to provide both good and bad effects for any individual and the bad effects are mitigated by prayers. As in other Navagraha temples, the common worship practices of the devotees include offering of cloth, grains, flowers and jewels specific to the planet deity.
Lighting a set of lamps is also commonly followed in the temple. As per contemporary Saivite belief, the energies distributed cyclically by Navagrahas can be channeled based on remedial measures. As per local legends, Shiva, the overlord of the nine planetary deities, allowed them to freely grant wishes based on devotion of the devotees.The village finds cursory mention in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Vaippu Sthalam. The temple is frequented by devotees with mental illness and familial problems.
Belief at Kumbakonam Chandiranaar Temple:
The main belief at Kumbakonam Chandiranaar Temple is that it is here that Lord Chandra prayed to Lord Shiva and got his blessings. Legend has it that after churning the Paarkadal (Milky Ocean) by the devas and the asuras, Lord Vishnu in the guise of Mohini was distributing the Amrutham (nectar) only to the devas. Then, one of the asuras in the guise of a deva, at the behest of Sukrachariyar, consumed the nectar which was distributed by Lord Vishnu. Surya and Chandra who noticed this complained to Lord Vishnu. Angered and worried, Lord Vishnu cut the Asura’s body into two using his chakrayudham (discus) and threw them away.
The head of the Asura joined with a snake’s body to become Rahu Bhagavan while his body portion kept growing as he had consumed Amrutham. Later his body joined with the head of a snake and became Kethu Bhagavan.
But Rahu and Ketu did not pardon Surya and Chandra. In turn, Rahu went after Chandra and started consuming him. Lord Chandra prayed to Lord Shiva and He blessed Him with the power to grow back to full size in 15 days after being consumed by Rahu. It is believed that this is why we have waxing and waning moon. Chandra attains full brightness on the Full Moon Day or Pournami and starts losing his beauty and brightness till the New Moon Day or Ammavasai.
Significance of Kumbakonam Chandiranaar Temple:
The concern in mother’s wellbeing, wealth, and health issues like mental retardation, skin and nerve problems, jaundice, and fluid accumulation are some of the troubles that occur due to Chandra Dosham. It is believed that problems due to Chandra Dosham will be eradicated by worshipping at this Chandra Navagrahasthalam, Kumbakonam Chandiranaar Temple in Tamilnadu.
Since Chandra controls our minds, by worshipping Lord Shiva and Lord Chandra in Kumbakonam Chandiranaar Temple, our mind related problems, such as mental worries, tensions, and psychiatric problems will be healed. Hence, it is advisable to visit and worship and have the darshan of Lord Shiva and Lord Chandra at Chandiranaar Temple especially during Mondays, to get all the prosperities in our life. Lord Chandra blesses his devotees who pray here with wealth, health, mother’s wellbeing, wife’s happiness, prosperity, success, progress in educational studies, marriage, and offspring. Mondays are regarded as the special days for Chandran. Raw rice pudding mixed with jaggery, white flowers and white clothing are the main offerings of this temple.
Speciality of Kumbakonam Chandiranaar Temple:
The main speciality of Kumbakonam Chandiranaar Temple is the ritual of first rice feeding to infant children called Anna Prasanam. The priest of the temple shows the child moon and a cow before feeding the child with rice, hence bringing the blessings of Jala devatha (water God) and Oushadhi Devatha (God of medicines). Devotees also believe that Jala devatha would protect the child from fever and cold and even if it so happens, the Oushadhi Devatha would cure it.
The Kumbakonam Chandiranaar Temple reflects beautiful Dravidian style architecture with amazingly carved five-tiered gopuram over the shrine. The temple houses a 16-sided Shiva Lingam made out of black granite and a huge Nandi statue. The most unique and rare feature of Kumbakonam Chandiranaar Temple is that during the Tamil months of Puratasi (September – October) and Panguni (March – April), the glorious rays of the moon fall on the Shiva Lingam.