In Vedic astrology, the nine planets which shape our destiny are collectively called Navagrahas. Hindus worship them to attract good luck or overcome adversities and misfortune arising from their past karmas or Doshas (planetary afflictions). We can find the Navagrahas in many Hindu temples. They can be together on a panel or a pedestal within the temple premises. Devotees usually worship them before they offer prayers to the main deity in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. The 7 Navagrahas are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Kuja (Mars), Shukra (Venus), Budhan (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Saturn (Shani), Rahu, and Ketu. All except the last 2 have the status of gods.
In Vedic astrology, the Navagrahas are not actual planets but deities.
Rahu and Ketu
These 2 Grahas are actually the North and South lunar nodes. They are also the two halves of the demon, Svarbhanu, according to Hindu mythology. In Western astrology, they are Uranus and Neptune. They are malefic planets.
Significance of the Navagrahas
The nine planetary deities have immense significance in Vedic astrology. Astrologers create the horoscope of a person based on their positions in the sky at the time of the person’s birth. Depending on their placements in the astrological chart, they give good or bad results in life. Shani, Rahu, and Ketu are very important in Vedic astrology. If they are not well placed, one may have to perform some remedial measures to pacify them and nullify their negative influence.
Navagraha Temples
Navagrahas have the status of subordinate deities in most temples. However, there are some temples exclusively for them, where they are the main deities. One such temple for all 9 Navagrahas stands on the banks of the Kshipra River on the outskirts of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. In some temples, only one of the Navagrahas may be the main deity. For instance, there are exclusive Shani and Surya temples in many parts of India, like the one for Shani near Hindupur, which is very famous.
Suryanar Koil/Sun Temple
The Sun is the king of all the nine planets. Suryanar temple is dedicated to Surya, who is worshipped as Siva Surya Narayana here. The temple is huge and the only temple in Tamil Nadu to have separate shrines for each of the 9 Grahas. One should visit Lord Prananatheswarar with his consort Managalambigai in Thirumangalakudi before worshipping at the Suryanar Koil. One also needs to follow a particular order while praying to the deities. Devotees start from Kol Vinai Theertha Vinayagar. Next, they proceed to Suryanar, followed by the remaining 8 Grahas.
Benefits of Visiting Suryanar Koil
· Helps get rid of Putra Dosha (lack of progeny)
· Helps remove delays in marriage
· Provides relief from the negative effects of Shani
· Brings success in education and career
The temple is 15 km from Kumbakonam and 53 km from Thanjavur
Thingalur Chandran Koil/Moon Temple
The Moon is the queen of the planets. People who suffer from a lack of harmony, wealth, and health visit Chandran Koil, which is near Kumbakonam. Lord Kailasanathar (Shiva) and Goddess Periyanayaki Amman are the presiding deities here. Monday is the ideal day to visit this temple.
Benefits of Visiting Thingalur Chandran Temple
· Helps boost one’s mother’s well-being
· Restores harmony in the family and the wife’s happiness
· Brings financial stability
· Alleviates nervous and skin problems
Thingalur Temple is 35 km from Kumbakonam and 16 km from Thanjavur.
Vaitheeswaran Koil/Mars Temple
The presiding deities here are Vaidyanatha Swamy (Shiva) and Thaiyal Nayaki. Rama, Surya, Jatayu, Skanda, and Kuja (Mars) supposedly worshipped here. One can find a separate shrine for Dhanvantri, the God of Ayurveda, in this temple. Worshipping in a temple where the deity faces the west direction is supposedly equal to praying in 1000 Shiva Temples. Tuesday is the ideal day to visit the temple.
Benefits of Visiting Vaitheeswaran Temple
· Boosts trade and business
· Alleviates the adverse effects of the planets
· Helps one get job opportunities
· Brings relief from skin problems and burns
The temple is 52 km from Kumbakonam and 90 km from Thanjavur.
Swetharanyeswarar Temple/Mercury Temple
The presiding deity here is Shiva as Swetharanyeswarar, who is with his consort, Brahma Vidya Ambal. Swetharanyeswarar means ‘God of the white forest’. This temple is also called Adi Chidambaram. One can see the influence of the Chola and Vijayanagara Emperors in the inscriptions found here. There are 3 Theerthams – Agni, Chandran, and Surya, and 3 Sthala Vrikshams – Vilvam, Vadaval, and Kondrai. Wednesday is the ideal day to visit the temple.
Benefits of Visiting Swetharanyeswarar Temple
· Bestows great wisdom and intellect
· Helps people working in careers related to music and astrology
· Benefits sculptors and medical students
The temple is 60 km from Kumbakonam and 100 km from Thanjavur.
Apatsahayesvarar Temple/Jupiter Temple
The presiding deities here are Apathsahayeswarar (God who defends one against danger) and his consort Umayammai or Elavarkuzhali Ammai. The temple is surrounded by three holy rivers – Cauvery, Vennaru, and Kollidam. It has 15 Theerthams, of which Amrita Pushkarani is the most renowned. The place where this temple is located is Alangudi, meaning ‘the place where Shiva consumed the Ala Kala Visham”, a deadly poison to save Earth. Hence, devotees regard Shiva here as one who protects them from danger. Thursday is the most auspicious day to visit this temple.
Benefits of Visiting Apatsahayeswarar Temple
· Helps overcome fear, especially the fear of death
· Facilitates marriage
· Mentally confused people can worship Vinayaga in this temple
· Brings relief from the adverse effects of the Snake planets
The temple is 20 km from Kumbakonam and 40 km from Thanjavur.
Kanjanoor Agniswarar Temple/Venus Temple
The presiding deities in this temple are Agneeswarar and Karpagavalli Amman. This place is also called Shukran Navagraha Sthalam. The Shiva Linga here is unique, as it absorbs all the oil that is poured on it during the Abishekam. The temple’s other names are Palaasavanam, Agnisthalam, and Brahmapuri. The medieval Cholas built this temple. Friday is the most auspicious day to visit the temple.
Benefits of Visiting Agneeswarar Temple
· Helps resolve relationship problems with the spouse
· Bestows knowledge
· Brings success and fame
· Alleviates indigestion and impotence
The temple is 18 km from Kumbakonam and 60 km from Thanjavur.
Tirunallar Shaniswaran Temple/Saturn Temple
This is a famous temple that is believed to bestow protection from the harmful effects of Shani. Shani or Saturn is feared by most people as he can cause many problems in life. Darbaranyeswara is the presiding deity here. Taking a dip in the holy tank, Nala Theertham, is very auspicious.
Benefits of Visiting Thirunallar Saneeswarar Temple
· Enables one to lead a peaceful and happy life
· Brings harmony in life
· Reduces hardship and suffering
· Boosts resilience and discipline
The temple is 55 km from Kumbakonam and 95 km from Thanjavur.
Thirunageswaram Rahu Temple
The presiding deity of this temple is Naganathaswamy. The temple is in Thirunageswaram. Rahu is seen here with his two consorts, Nagavalli and Nagakanni. Devotees offer Mantharai flower to Rahu in this well-known temple. Rahu in this temple has a human face, which is rare. Devotees offer urad dal and milk in this temple.
Benefits of Visiting Rahu Temple in Thirunagaswaram
· Removes hurdles to marriage and restores harmony in marital life
· Bestows progeny
· Helps nullify Kalasarpa Dosha, Sarpa Dosha, and Kalathra Dosha
The temple is 7 km from Kumbakonam and 53 km from Thanjavur.
Keezhperumpallam Ketu Temple
The temple is dedicated to Ketu. Mahashivarathri, Navratri, Panguni Vasuki Utsav, Aippasi Abishekam, and Karthigai Festival are celebrated grandly here. Kollu/horse gram is the main offering.
Benefits of Visiting Ketu Sthalam in Keezhperumpallam
· Bestows a happy married life
· Helps attract auspiciousness
· Helps remove sins and neutralize karma
· Helps resolve property and financial disputes
The temple is 62 km from Kumbakonam and 100 km from Thanjavur.
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