The Suryanar Temple is a Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, South India

South India

South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...

. It is located in the village of Suryanarkoil in the Thanjavur district. It is dedicated to the worship of the Hindu Sun-God

Surya

Surya Suraya or Phra Athit is the chief solar deity in Hinduism, one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa and one of his wives, Aditi; of Indra; or of Dyaus Pitar . The term Surya also refers to the Sun, in general. Surya has hair and arms of gold...

 and the other Navagraha

Navagraha

Graha is a 'cosmic influencer' on the living beings of mother Bhumidevi . In Hindu astrology, the Navagraha are some of these major influencers.All the navagraha have relative movement with respect to the background of fixed stars in the zodiac...

s, and is considered one of the Navagraha temples

Navagraha temples

Navagraha temples are temples devoted to Navagraha - the nine major celestial bodies of Hindu astronomy. These celestial bodies are named Surya , Chandra , Chevvaai/Mangal , Budhan , Guru/Brihaspati , Shukra , Shani , Rahu and Ketu...

.

History

It is stated in one of the inscriptions found in the temple that is was built in the reign of Kulottunga Choladeva

Kulothunga Chola I

Kō Rājakēsarivarman Abaya Kulōthunga Chōla was one of the greatest kings of the Chola Empire. He was one of the sovereigns who bore the title Kulottunga, literally meaning the exalter of his race.-Early life:...

(AD 1060-1118) and was called Kulottungachola-Marttandalaya.