Agniswarar Temple, Kanjanur

The Agniswarar Temple stands in Kanjanur village, 18 kilometres north-east of Kumbakonam on the road to Aduthurai and 57 kilometres from Thanjavur. Its main image is Shiva as Agniswarar, but the presiding deity is Sukra, the planet Venus: in keeping with the Shaiva belief that Shiva pervades everything, Sukra is held to dwell inside the idol of Shiva. It is one of the Navagraha temples, each linked to a heavenly body, and devotees come here to soften the ill effects of Venus.

The Medieval Cholas built the temple and the Vijayanagara kings renovated it, and it has a five-tiered rajagopuram and two enclosing courtyards. Legend says Shiva blessed the sage Parasara here with his cosmic dance. The hymns of the Nayanar saint Appar mention the temple, which is counted among the Vaippu Sthalams.