- Timings
- 7 am–1 pm, 4 pm–9 pm
- Planet
- Chandran (Moon)
- Nearest railway station
- Thanjavur
- Nearest airport
- Tiruchirappalli
- Distance from Kumbakonam
- About 34 km
The legend
When the gods and demons churned the ocean for nectar, one demon slipped in among the gods to drink it. Chandran exposed him, and Vishnu cut the demon in two; the halves became Rahu and Ketu, who ever after sought revenge on the Moon. Shiva protected Chandran, granting him the waxing and waning that give us the full moon and the new moon.
The temple
The temple is built in the Dravidian style, with a five-tier gopuram and two enclosures around the sanctum. Besides Kailasanathar and the Chandran shrine, there are shrines for Murugan, Gajalakshmi and Vinayagar. In the Tamil months of Purattasi and Panguni, moonlight is said to fall directly on the main lingam. The temple is linked to the Shaivite saint Appar (Thirunavukkarasar) and his devotee Appoothi Adigal.
Offerings and festivals
Offerings to Chandran are traditionally white: white arali flowers, white cloth and rice cooked with jaggery. The main festivals are Margazhi Thiruvathirai (December–January), Maha Shivaratri (February–March), Panguni Uthiram (March–April) and Thirukarthigai (November–December), with special worship on full-moon days.
Timings and dress code
The temple is open from 7 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 9 pm. Men usually wear a dhoti or trousers with an upper cloth, and women a saree or churidar with dupatta.
How to reach
Thanjavur, about half an hour away by road, is the nearest large town and railway station. Kumbakonam is around 34 km away, and Tiruchirappalli airport is under two hours by car. Most people cover Thingalur as part of a Navagraha circuit; we can arrange a car and plan the order of temples for you.
Also nearby
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