Gaathra Sundareshwarar Temple - For Kirthigai Nakshatra

Kirthigai Nakshatra 

Krittika or Kirthigai is a powerful cluster of stars that remains as one among the 27 Nakshatras or stars, recognized by the ancient and celebrated system of Vedic Astrology. This star goes by the name Pleiades in Western astrology and forms part of the constellation of the zodiac sign Taurus.

Those born when the Moon transits through the Kirthigai star are said to born under that star, and Krittika or Kirthigai becomes their Janma Nakshatra or birth star. 

Kirthigai Characteristics

People born in Krittika Nakshatra are honest, forthright, and command respect from others. They are hard-working, determined, and independent, while also being soft, with an artistic frame of mind.  However, their frankness can make them blunt, angry, and undiplomatic at times, which can turn them unpopular. They can also be stubborn and not very receptive to change.

Gaathra Sundareshwarar temple, Kanjanagaram in Tamil Nadu, is regarded as special and sacred for those born in Kirthigai star.  

Gaathra Sundareshwarar Temple, Kanjanagaram

Lord Shiva, the presiding deity in this temple, is in the Linga form in the sanctum and is worshipped as Sundareshwarar. This is believed to be a Swayambu lingam that manifested on its own and is West-facing, regarded as rare and special. His consort is Goddess Thungabalasthanambigai.  

It is believed that once, golden light emerged from the Lord here. ‘Kanchana’ means gold, and hence this place came to be called Kanchana Nagar, which in due course corrupted to Kanjanagaram. Manakkanjar, one of the 63 Nayanmar saints, was born here. Kanjanagaram is about 8 km from the Mayiladuthurai town in Tamil Nadu.  

Temple Legend

According to the mythology associated with the temple, Kanjanagaram is where Lord Murugan or Karthikeya incarnated. 

As the story goes, once the sages of Kanjanagaram were harassed severely by the reign of terror let loose by the mighty demons Surapadma, Singamukha, and their forces. In order to escape from their clutches, the sages sought refuge from the universal Mother Parvati for the annihilation of the evil forces. Their plight made the Goddess take up the issue immediately with Lord Shiva, even overlooking the fact that Shiva was deeply engrossed in the Katrajyothi Yoga then. Rudely awakened in the midst of his powerful Yogic practice, Shiva turned furious and opened his fiery third eye, from which emerged 6 brilliant sparks of divine light. 

These sparks turned into 6 wonderful babies, and they were brought up with immense care and concern by 6 celestial damsels, known as Karthigai maidens. Soon, Goddess Parvati took the babies under her fold and embraced them with great love and affection. And the 6 babies merged into a single extremely handsome boy, with six heads and 12 arms. 

In recognition of the great service rendered by the Karthigai damsels, the boy was named Karthikeya. He was none other than Muruga, also known in other names such as Subrahmanya, Arumuga, etc. 

Karthikeya, the powerful lad, led the army of the celestials against the mighty forces of Surapadma, destroyed them in a fierce war, and relieved the sages and others from their oppression. 

The Karthigai Maidens, the foster mothers of the divine babies, are regarded as the manifestation of the Kirthigai star. Hence, the Kirthigai star is held sacred for Karthikeya or Muruga worship when people observe fasts and austerities dedicated to the Lord. Accordingly, Gaathra Sundareshwarar temple at Kanjanagaram, believed to be the birthplace of Karthikeya, is held special for the Karthigai Nakshatra people. As per another story, this location remains the birthplace of the Karthigai maidens.      

Benefits of Worship 

It is believed that praying to Lord Sundareshwarar and the Goddess here can do a lot of good to people. This is especially so for the Kirthigai star people, who can offer worship at this temple, particularly on the Kirthigai star days, to receive generous divine blessings, and get immensely benefitted. They can light sand lamps during Pradosham time and perform Poojas to get relief from sins. 

People can also pray at this temple for cure from diseases, warding off adverse planetary effects, and for early marriage and progeny blessings.

Nakshatra Calculator

Nakshatra Calculator is a simple system that helps people know their birth stars. By feeding their birth details like date, time, and place in the columns provided, they can also learn about their other basic astrological particulars like Rasi, the Moon sign. Hence, this system can also be referred to as Rasi Calculator or Rasi Natchathiram Calculator.   

By whatever name it is called - Nakshatra Calculator, Rasi Calculator, or Rasi Natchathiram Calculator- people can learn many astrological birth details by using it, offer worships and observe austerities accordingly, and receive beneficial divine blessings.