Thingalur Chandra Bhagawan Temple, Thanjavur - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 13 km from Thanjavur, the Chandra Bhagawan Temple, also called Kailasanathar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the village of Thingalur near Thanjavur. Situated on the Kumbakonam - Thiruvaiyaru Road, it is one of the must-include places in Thanjavur Tour Packages.

The Chandranar Temple, also known as the Kailasanathar Temple, is dedicated to the Moon God, Chandra (Soma). It is one of the nine Navagraha temples located in Tamil Nadu and South India. The primary deity of this temple is Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Kailasanathar, alongside his consort, Goddess Periyanakiamman (Goddess Parvati). Additionally, the temple features a distinct shrine for the Moon God, Chandra.

Commonly referred to as Chandran Sthalam, the term 'Thingal' in Tamil signifies Chandra. The original temple complex is believed to have been constructed by the Chola dynasty, while the current masonry structure was established during the Nayak period in the 16th century. It is said that Chandra worshipped Kailasanathar at this site to regain his full powers. Lord Shiva granted Chandra the ability to restore himself to full size within 15 days after being devoured by Rahu. The temple is renowned for the tradition of performing the first feeding of rice to infants. Visiting the Chandra Navagrahasthalam and offering prayers to the Moon God is considered an effective remedy for Chandra Dosha, alleviating its negative effects and providing relief from various misfortunes.

Constructed in the Dravidian architectural style, the temple features a three-tiered rajagopuram and is encircled by a single prakaram, which comprises the temple's enclosed precincts. The shrine dedicated to the Moon God houses an image crafted from black granite, typically draped in white cloth. Other shrines within the temple are dedicated to Ambal, Subramanya, Gajalakshmi, and Bhairava. The temple is managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Monday is regarded as the day of the Moon or Chandra, making it essential to conduct puja on this day. It is recommended to observe a fast and perform rituals for a minimum of five Mondays to attain favorable outcomes. However, if one is unable to do so, performing puja on a single Monday is also acceptable. Worship of Chandra Bhagawan should commence with Aravalli flowers, followed by the offering of a white cloth along with the bhog or Prasad which is a special mixture of jiggery and rice.

Timings: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM

Entry: Free