Navagraha Shrines Temple in Tamilnadu

                                                 Navagraha Shrines    

The Navagraha Believers in astrology and the influence of planets over individual destiny will find Tamil Nadu is a great destination. Indian astrology believes that the planetary positions of the nine planets in a geocentric orbit determine the way a person will live, progress and exemplify one’s life to others before death. Nava means nine and graha means planet. There are nine temples located in Tamil Nadu representing each planet in the Navagraha. All nine of them are located within a sixty-kilometre radius around Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district.

Tamil Nadu is the only state where the temples dedicated to the nine celestial bodies are located in such close proximity.

Planet Temple :-

Surya (Sun) - Suryanar Koil
Chandra (Moon) - Tingaloor Koil
Chevaai (Mars) - Vaitheswaran Koil
Budhan (Mercury) - Tiruvenkadu
Guru (Jupiter) -  Alangudi
Shukran (Venus) - Kanchanoor
Shani (Saturn) - Tirunallar
Rahu - Tirunageswharan
Ketu - Keezhperumpallam

Surya(sun)-Tirumangalakkudi Koil:-

The devotee can worship all the planets as presiding deities.The SUN is the prime deity. Usha devi and Sri Purusha devi(Chaya devi) are the consorts.Sun god holds two lotus flowers in his hands It is king of kings in the Navagraha planets.Sage Kalava Muni was suffering from severe leprosy.  He worshipped all the planets begging total cure.  All the planets graced the Rishi with what he wanted – the cure from leprosy.  Lord Brahmma strongly objected to the response of the planets to Rishis penance on the ground that in accordance with the orders of Lord Shiva, the planets were to give the effects of good and evil deeds of the individuals and that that the planets had violated this rule by directly giving boons to a devotee and cursed them to suffer from leprosy themselves. The planets came down to a white wild flower jungle (Vellerukku vanam) and performed penance on Lord Shiva for relief. Stay there offer worship from the first Sunday of Tamil month Karthigai for 12 weeks in total of 78 days on Mondays, they have to take bath before sunrise in Cauvery and offer prayers to Prarivaradhan and MangalaNayaki with in 2 1/2hours after sunrise, they have to have curdrice in 'Arka leaf' amd eat the same. On the other days they have to be in fast to release themselves from the punishment. Lord appeared before them and said that the place belonged to them and allowed them to grace the devotees worshipping them enduring a variety of hardships.


Angaraka(mars)- VaitheswaranKoil:-

The Angaraka shrine here is also of great significance and is indeed unique to this temple. A bronze of image of Angaraka is housed in this shrine and is taken out in procession on a goat mount every Tuesday. Angaraka represents the planet Mars and is described as one with a fiery red complexion attired in red and as the overlord of the zodiac signs of Aries and Scorpia and as being the strongest in the zodiac sign of Capricorn.

Jupiter-Alangudi Koil:-

Alangudi This is regarded as a Guru sthalam or Jupiter where Lord Dakshinamurthy is held in great reverence. The shrine attracts a large number of devotees when Jupiter transits between zodiac signs. Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, is said to have been reborn on the banks of the Amrita Pushkarini within the temple precincts before being reunited with Shiva.

Venus–Kanjanoor Koil:-

 


Venus is associated with beauty , jewellery, fine clothing and brings health and happiness, marriage and children. The adverse effects of Venus like betrayal by women  can be overcome through prayerhere. ThisShiva sthalam is associated with Sukran or Venus and is maintained by the Madurai Adhinam. It is located in a quiet hamlet of Thiruvaavaduturai.This shrine is also referred to as Palaasavanam, Brahmapurai and Agnisthalam. Brahma is said to have had a vision here of Shiva's wedding with Parvati. Men visit to pray for the well being of their wifes.

Budhan(Mercury)-Tiruvenkadu Koil:-

This Temple is 60 kms from Kumbakonam and 6 Kms away from Mayiladuturai, the presiding deity of the Temple is lord Shiva and is worshiped as Aghoramurthy. The Temple dedicated to lord Budhan occupies a prominent place in the temple, Budhan is known for wisdom, intellect, and beauty. A favorite place for children, seeking blessings for good education. The Temple complex is considered oldest as some of the shrines are in existence for over 3000 years.

Shani(saturn)-Thirunallar Koil:-

Thirunallar  is the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Shani 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.

Chandra(Moon)-Kailasanathar Koil:-

The Kailasanathar temple known as the Navagrahastalam associated with Chandra the moon, is located in the hamlet of Thingaloor not far from Thiruvaiyaru near Thanjavur in Tamilnadu. This is an ancient Saivite shrine, associated with the life of saint Thirunavukkarasar. The saint moved by Appoodhi  Adikal's devotion is said to have miraculously restored to life who was got killed by a venomous snake bite while the saint was being hosted.  It is situated in the Kumbakonam-Thanjavur route near Thiruvaiyaru (4 Kms away from Thiruvayaru). This temple is famous for Moon God (chandra Bagawan).

Raghu–Thiruganeswaram Koil:-

Raghu is a shadow planet depicted with a human’s head and a snake’s body. He gives victory in all fields and begetting children.The negative effects of Raghu can be relieved through prayer at this temple.

This vast temple known is for its shrine to Rahu, one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagraha. A legend has it that the mythological serpents Adiseshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Legend also has it that King Nala worshipped Shiva here as in Thirunallar.

Ketu-Keezhperumpallam Koil:-

This place is just around Myiladuturai and around 57 Kms from Kumbakonam, the temple is located in a small village ….as legends have it, Ketu is supposed to be the tail legendary Sarpa that helped the Samudra Manthan or churning of ocean for Amrutha. Kethu is prayed for removal of ill effects of Ketu dosha….the devotes are blessed with prosperity. The presiding deity of the main temple is lord Shiva.