Powerful Chandra kshetram. Presiding Deity is Kailasanathar (Shiva). Goddess (Periyanayaki) has a separate sannidhi and is beautiful in standing posture. In the God-Navagraha link, Devi/Divine Mother represents Chandra - so praying to the Goddess here is beneficial too. Temple is about 60 minutes drive from Kumbakonam. This is one of the key temples in the Navagraha circuit.
Chandra Bhagawan has a separate sannidhi. First visit Shiva, Ambal, do a pradakshinam and the come to Chandran shrine.
If the planet is weak or malefic in your horoscope, or if you are passing through the planet's Mahadasha/antardasha/bhukti etc - you should visit this temple and offer prayers to appease Him. If the planet is strong in your horoscope, visiting will strengthen it further and give you additional benefits.
Wear White or Cream colour clothes if possible during the visit. Visiting on Mondays is good & they also have a homam in the morning I think - although it might be crowded,. You can visit during Chandra horai (if possible) on any day and it will also be beneficial.
The priest, Sri Balachandra Gurukkal @ Chandra Bhagawan shrine was very kind and shared info about temple etc. He had done a simple puja for us when we visited this temple 10 years ago.
Chandra is Mano-karaka - linked to mind, emotions, instincts and subconscious and guides us with the gut feel/intuition in layman terms - and is responsible for strength/success in these areas. People with mental issues, depression etc should visit this temple and pray. If you are in media, you should visit, as most movie stars have a strong Chandra in their horoscope as He represents the attractive beauty (who does not like to watch a beautiful full moon?). He also governs the stomach, chest, digestive organs, and body fluids - so when one has these health issues, one must definitely visit here.
You can do archana if you want. Else just pray sincerely. I usually don't do archana in all temples - we will be staying in hotel and would not know what to do with the coconut etc.
Keep mentally chanting throughout your visit - Om Chandraya Namaha - it is a simple but very powerful mantra.
One should spend minimum of 30 minutes here and pray. These temples are believed to have powerful yantras (or) they themselves are designed like a yantra. So, do not engage in chitchat/mobile browsing etc while in the temple. Pray in silence and experience inner peace. Chant any shloka/stotra/mantra of the Presiding Deity. If you are initiated in any mantra of the deity, then sit and do atleast 1 maalaa japam (108 times).
Dovotees must light at least 1-2 pure cow ghee lamps in the temple. It is believed that pure cow ghee lamps lit in clay diyas at such potent temples bestow one with all the goodness, ward off the malefic effects of the navagrahas and one's prayers are answered. People are now lighting certain count in each navagraha temple for certain prayer - if you don't want to light say 11, 18 etc - just light 2 or so. It will give you the same benefit - the prayerful thought and sincerity is more important than the number.
Beware of the cow ghee lamps sold in most temples - they may not be real ghee at all. One should use only edible pure cow ghee. Carry it with you if possible (ghee, lamps, wicks, match box and a cleaning cloth etc) - you will save money and have peace of mind about the quality...
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