Navagraha Temples of Tamilnadu (India)

Temples dedicated to the Navegrahas (Nine Planets)


Graha is a “cosmic marker of influence” on the living beings of mother Bhoomadevi (earth). In Hindu Astrology, the Navagraha (Sanskrit: nine planets or nine realms) are some of the major markers that point out the karmic influence on the behavior of the living beings. Contrary to a common misconception, they themselves are not causative elements, but can be compared to traffic signs. Unfortunately, the term Graha was ascribed to “planet” of our solar system as five members of Navagraha (the nine grahams) happen to be planets. This misconception is sometimes used as arguments against the validity of astrology."Nava" means "nine". Graha is sometimes translated as "planet", but the Sun, Moon, and Raahu and Ketu are not "planets" according to modern astronomy. "Graha" is sometimes translated as "celestial body", but Raahu and Ketu are not celestial bodies either. A third translation is celestial god or demy-god, but again, Raahu and Ketu are Auras not Divas. Raahu and Ketu are further believed to be only positions in the planetary paths. A fact common to all navagrahas is that they have relative movement with respect to the backgound of fixed stars in the zodiac belt.
Tamil Nadu is the only state where the temples dedicated to the nine celestial bodies are located in close proximity. These nine temples representing each planet in the Navagraha. All nine of them are located within a sixty-kilometer radius of Kumbakonam Municipal Town in Thanjavur district.

SuryanarKoil, representing Suriyan (sun)


The Suryanarkoil (Temple of Surya, the Sun God) and the village Suryanarkoil is located in Tiruvidaimarudur taluk of Thanjavur district, on the banks of the Cauvery, 15 kilometers from Kumbakonam and 20 kilometers from Mayiladuthurai on Kumbakonam - Aduthurai - Mayiladuthurai Road. It is 3 Kilometers from Aduthurai Railway Station. The other Sun Temple is at Konarak in Orissa State.
The temple has the Sun or Surya as the main deity in standing posture, facing East. The main sanctum is extraordinary in that the Presiding Deity of Surya faces the idol of Guru (Jupiter), a smaller Deity, perhaps to cool down the heat intensity of Sun rays. The Utsavar is seen with His two consorts, Usha and Prathyusha. A beautiful, divine figure, the Lord of Suryanarkoil has a magnetic personality, emanating a golden glow, akin to the visible radiance of the Sun. All other planets have separate shrines around the main sanctum, built in positions according to the Jyotisha Shastra. The presiding deities are Puranavaradheeswarar and his consort Mangalanayaki. Surya is the Lord of Simma Rasi and occupies the central place amongst the navagrahas. The adidevatha is Agni, prathyutha Devatha - Rudran.Those who suffer the ill effects of Kalathara Dosham, Vivaha Paribandha Dosham, Puthra Dosham, Puthra Paribandha Dosham, Vidhya Paribandha Dosham, Udyoga Padhibandha Dosham, Surya dasai, Surya bukthi would benefit from worshipping at this temple. Father, Athma, physical strength, right eye, governmental largesse are the beneficial aspects of this planet. Those with an afflicted Saturn in the horoscope often worship at Suryanarkoil, for a specific period, for mitigation of ill effects. The Sun, the harbinger of light, is the giver of health and victory. He is the energiser. According to a legend, Surya was worshipped by Rama, by reciting Aditya Hridayam which was taught to him by Sage Agastya, when he was desperate to vanquish Ravana. With the Sun entering the sign of Makaram (Capricorn) on January 14 — Makara Sankranthi or Pongal, a day very special at Suryanarkoil — the Uthraanya Punya Kaalam, begins its auspicious traversal of time.

Thingaloor Koil, representing Chandra (Moon)


Thingaloor is 1.5 kilometers from Thirupayhanam and 36 kilometers from Kumbakonam on the Thiruvaiyaru-Kumbakonam route. The Thingaloor Moon Temple is nearly 1500 years old. Chandran is called Thingal in Tamil language and so his Celestial Home is Thingaloor. Chandran's wife is Rohini. The presiding deity are Kailasanathar and his consort is Periyanayaki Amman. Chandran is the Lord of Kadaga Rasi and he faces the South-East direction.
A visit to this temple will grant a comfortable and long life. Wealth, mother's/wife's happiness, Government's help, purchase of vehicle, one's marriage, prosperity, foreign travel etc. will be bestowed on his devotees. In astrology, Chandran is the planet that removes stress and sorrow. The Chandran is the planet of unconscious mind, habits, emotions, stability of mind, frequent change of moods. It describes how you feel to handle relationship, how emotional you are when responded to situations and experiences, added with daily functions, physical, emotional and mental stability. Chandran is called the Mother Planet, since it rules over moods of children, adult, and elderly. Dosham to mother, mental retardation, skin and nerve problems, jaundice, fluid accumulation are the diseases caused because of Chandra dosham. By praying to Lord Chandran, the above afflictions can be overcome. Mentally disturbed people come here to get cure get rid of their sorrows and sufferings.

Vaitheeswaran Koil, representing Chevaai (Mars)


Tirupulliruku Velur, popularly known as Vaitheeswaran Koil, is one of the most important Saivite shrines of Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. Situated on the northern side of the river Cauvery, Vaitheeswaran Koil is a railway station on the Chennai(Egmore) - Villupuram - Mayiladuthurai (Main) line. This temple is 12 kilometers north-east of Mayiladuthurai, on the way to Cuddalore/Chidambaram. The presiding Deity of this Angarakan temple is Vaidyanatha Swamy and his Consort is called Valambika alias Thaiyal Nayaki. Vaidyanatha Swamy is believed to cure illness of the devotees. Within the Vaitheswaran Koil, there is a special shrine dedicated to Ankarakan or Sevvai or Mars. Separate sanctorum for Angaraka is a speciality out here as you cannot find it elsewhere. The belief is that if prayers are offered to Ankarakan, he will bestow valor, victory and strength to the person. Upon entering the temple, devotees first go the Siddhamrita tank. The water is said to have curative properties for various skin ailments. There is also a widespread belief that a visit here would remove obstacles that delay marriage. It is said that God came as a Vaidya and cured Angaraka of his leprosy by giving him Thiru Chaandu Pills. This is purported to be the medicine, which Vaidyanatha gave to Angaraka to cure his illness.
The beautiful temple is enclosed within tall granite walls and is in the centre of the town. In the east and western sides of the temple, there are big majestic towers and there is one small tower on the rear side of the temple. There are two big corridors and separate inner corridors for the temple of God and Goddess. The important Teertham known as Siddhamurta Teertham is a big tank lying south of the temple of the Goddess in the southern corridor. There are several deities like Sri Nataraja, Sivakami, Durga, Sun, Angaraka, Sapta Kannikas, 63 Nayanmars, etc., in the southern corridor.
In the Zodiac, ANGARAKA or MARS is regarded as a God of martial character, red in every aspect. Even the Romans held him as their Guru. In the Zodiac, He is the Lord of "Mesha" and "Vrischika". He stays 1.5 months in each Rasi taking 18 months to complete the cycle.A prayer to this planet frees one from debts, poverty and illness afflicting the skin. This graha bestows property and conveyance (Locomotion). A prayer to Angaraka can restore loss of eyesight. Tuesdays are intended for the worship of Angaraka who loves the chanting of Sama Veda. If one observes the fast on Tuesday for 21 times, the unlucky influence of Tuesday (Mangal) can be got rid off.

Tiruvenkadu, representing Budhan (Mercury)


The sacred shrine of Thiruvengadu, said to be 3000 years old, is situated about 11 kilometers south-east of Sirkazhi railway station in Chennai(Egmore) - Villupuram - Mayiladuthurai (Main) line. Thiruvengadu is in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu, and is between the rivers Cauvery and Manikarnika. This is about 24 kilometers east of Mayiladuthurai. The temple measures 792 feet by 310 feet and is situated in the heart of the town, surrounded on all sides by 5 prakarams known as Pancha Prakarams. There are some prominent gopurams, which add to the beauty of the temple. Lord Shiva resides here in the name of Lord Venkattunathar and his Consort, Bahmavidya Nayaki. This place is similar to Kasi with all the bathing Ghats. One can do all the karmas here, that is supposed to be done in Kasi. We can find a separate sanctum sanctorum for Bhudan. Those who visit Thiruvengadu will find relief from puthira dosham, poor studies, mental instability, nervous disorders. Knowledge, music, astrology, maths, sculpting, medicine, language skills are the beneficial aspects of Budan. Budan's wife is Ilai.

Alangudi, representing Guru (Jupiter)


The Guru Kshetram is at Alangudi (Tiruvarur District) situated at about 15 kilometers from Kumbakonam on the way to Needamangalam. The main deity here is Abathsahayeswarar and His Consort Ezhavaar Kuzhali. This Kshetram is the Parivara sthalam for Madhyarjuna Mahalinga Peruman. This is the fourth amongst the Panchavarunya Sthalams. Guru is the Lord of Dhanusu and Meena Rasi and he faces North direction. His wives are Tharai, Sangini. The shrine attracts a large number of devotees when Jupiter transits between zodiac signs.
Lord Guru is called Brahaspathi for his excellence in education and fine arts. Besides Alangudi, Tiruchandur is also worshipped as Guru Sthalam. Puranas refers to Lord Guru as Saint Angirasa's son.

Kanchanoor, representing Shukran (Venus)


The sthalam of Sukra Bhagavan is Kanjanur (Thanjavur District), which is located 3 kms from Suryanar koil, on the Mayiladuthurai - Kathiramangalam Road. His wives are Subakirthi, Sundari and Sringini. The presiding deity is Agneeswarar and his consort Eswari. He is the Lord of Rishaba and Thula Rasi and faces East direction.
Sukran is called love planet and stands for sense of aesthetics, arts (generally music). Sukran is said to be often in the same sign as the Sun, since it can never be more than 45 degrees from the natal sun sign. Sukran is associated with the signs of Libra and Taurus. Sukran endows those who pray to him with wealth, pleasure, wife, prosperity, vehicles. He is the next most beneficial planet after Guru. If in a person's horoscope, Sukran is well placed, then the person will enjoy pleasure, beautiful wife, wealth, house, vehicle, good food, fame, love, affection, marriage, siblings, governmental help, chance to govern the country/state and hold influential status.
Tirunallar, representing Shani (Saturn)


This Sthalam of Saneeswara Bhagavan is Thirunallaru, which is located 5 kilometers from Karaikal (Pondicherry State), en-route to Peralam. His wives are Neela Devi and Manga Devi. The presiding deities are Dharbaranyeswarar (Swaymbumurti) and his consort Bogamartha Poon Mulayal. He is the Lord of Maharam and Kumba Rasis and faces the West direction. Separate shrine for Lord Sani exists here. This is one of the 'Sapta Vidanga Kshetras'.
This is the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Sani or Saturn. When the planet Saturn transits between zodiac signs, literally millions throng this shrine. The legendary King Nala is said to have been relieved of his afflictions, which were due to the malefic influence of Saturn, after worship in this temple. Of the numerous tanks theertams, the Nala theertam is the most important one. By bathing here, it is believed that one is washed off all kinds of misfortune and afflictions. Saneeswaran resides in each Rasi for a period of 2 1/2 years. When Saneeswaran resides in the 12th, 1st and 2nd house, it is 7 1/2 Naatu Sani ; when in the 4th house, it is Arthashtama Sani; when in the 8th house, it is Ashtama Sani. During these periods, he troubles the native.
He, who directs his energies to propitiate Siva, circumvents the malefic influence of a wrathful Saturn. Invariably, in a Siva temple of the South, a portion of the temple is dedicated to the nine planets (Navagraha) including Saturn.

Thirunageswaram, representing Raahu


The sthalam of Raahu is Thirunageswaram (Thanjavur District of Tamilnadu), which is located 6 kms from Kumbakonam, enroute to Karaikal. The presiding deities are Naaganaadar and Girigujaambigai. He faces the South-West direction. The Adi Devatha is Durga and the Prathyathi Devatha is the snake. She is decorated as a small girl in the Mornings, as young lady in Noons and as lady in evenings. Thirunageswaram is referenced in Lalitha Sahasranamam. Here Raahu resides with his wife and everyday, during Raahu- kaalam, when Milk is poured over Raahu idol, it changes to blue color. People having Raahu dosha come here during Raahu-kaalam and perform Abishekam. If Raahu is in a good position in one's horoscope, then the man will get a good wife, good servant and acquire great wealth. He will succeed in politics and may get a chance to rule. Praying during Raahu-kaalam on Sundays can ensure a good life and prosperity. Also a person with Raahu dosham can pray to Durgai and Naagaraja. Raahu takes eighteen months to move from one house to another.
Suryan, Vinayagar, Gautamar, Nalan, Parasarar, Pandavas, Vasishtar, Indran, Brahma, Bageerathan, Chandrasenan, Adiseshan, Kakkan Karkodagan, Sounagar, Nargunan have prayed and benefited at this sthalam.Oppiliappankoil, one of the Vaishnava Divya Desams, is situated very close to this temple. This temple is one of the 127 temples located on the southern side of river Cauvery.Raahu is the source of plenty. Kalathra dosham, puthira dosham, communicable diseases, mental disorders, leprosy, fall in grace are caused by Raahu dosham. Praying to Raahu at this sthalam helps a person from these factors and also saves the person from all poisonous life forms.

Keezhperumpallam, representing Ketu


The temple for Lord Kethu is situated in Keezhperumpallam ( Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu) which is located 6 kilometers from Thiruvengaadu. His wife is Chitralekha. The presiding deities are Naaganaadaswamy and his consort Ambal. The Adi Devatha is Chitraguptan and the Prathyathi Devatha is Brahma. In this temple, Lord Kethu faces west in the north praharam, He appears with the body in divine form, His head as a five-headed snake and hands folded in Prayer. Both Kethu and Raahu planets are known as "Chaaya Grahams'. Persons afflicted by Kethu dosham are stricken with fears of dacoity, bad habits, loss of property, loss of face, putra dosham etc. By praying to Kethu Bhagavan, one can be rid of the doshams. Motcham, sight, property, land, gold, vehicle, fame, wife, children, happiness, unexpected property gains are the beneficial aspects of Kethu Bhagavan.