Navagrahas Temples

The Navagrahas are under the control and command of Mother Parameswari.  Planets impact upon each individual's life, right from the moment of birth.  Our fate is determined by the movement the planets from one constellation to another each man lives to experience the strengths and weaknesses of the planet's position at the time of his birth.  This in turn is determined by the man's own karma in his past life.  Thus planets are agents of divine will; they determine a man's happiness and sorrow, joy and grief, failures and success, attainment and desolation.

Planets visible to the naked eye are the Sun, Moon and the Earth; Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn are not to be seen by unaided sight.  Raghu and Ketu has great influence on our lives in their own way.  The position they hold in the chart determines the end of our endeavors.
It is of course impossible to escape from one's karma; but it is eminently possible to palliate its ill effects.  This is done by propitiating the Navagrahas.  Our ancients traced this by experience and we are blessed to have the light of their knowledge.  They guide us to visit the holy temples dedicated to the Nine Movers of Human fate, to take bath in holy waters, to give alms, to recite holy verses and to wear proper Gem stones and ward off the evil fruits of our past activities.

The extent to which we propitiate the Navagrahas determines the success of our undertakings.  He who does not propitiate, lives to suffer his karma.  These facts are proved in verses of out poet-saints.  The worship of Navagrahas benefits the devout and dedicated person.  Every temple has its own mode of worship, its own thank, where holy waters cleans, the dippers.  When one does these, or gives food and money to the needy, or sings, praises in verse, or wears holy gemstones, one needs to be sincere in one's effort.  Devotion to the lord is of the foremost importance.  Without this virtuous element of worship, it is impossible the obtain relief from suffering.

We give here the names of the nine temples of Navagrahas, details of their locations, the history of their greatness, the structure of the temples, the significance of the regining deities, the holy waters, the holy trees, some facts of those who benefitted by worshipping the lord in these temples and some notes on the Poets who have praised these temples.  All this is done in the fond hope that the suffering of humanity be alleviated, we pray to lord Ganesha, the remover of obstructions, to Mother Kadambari who feeds us with wisdom and Lord Siva who destroys our ignorance.  May we have peace.

The Navagraha Temples in Kumbamonam (Nine Planets)

Indian astrology is based on Planetary positions of nine planets - Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Chevaai (Mars), Budhan (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukran (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu and there are nine temples representing each planet located within 60km radius around Kumbakonam, near Thanjavur. This is a unique confluence seen only in Tamil Nadu.

Bracket indicates the planet, the temple dedicated to; km indicates the distance from Kumbakonam.

Tirunageshwaram (Rahu)

Tirunageshwaram is about 8km, this temple dates from 10-sentury AD, and legend has it that the mythological serpents Aadi Seshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Open 6am to 1pm and 4pm to 8.30pm Phone: 0435-2463354 Raghu Temple More Information

Vaitheeswarankoil (Mars)

50km, this temple is dedicated to Ankarakan or Chevai (Mars). Devotees offer prayers here to seek valour, victory, strength and to remove obstacles, which delay marriage.  A dip in the holy Siddhamrita Tank reportedly cures one of various skin ailments. Open 6 am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm Phone: 04364-279423 Chevai Temple More Information>>

Thingaloor (Moon)

33km, a prayer at this temple grants a comfortable and long life.  Belief is that the planer Chandra (Moon) removes stress and sorrow. Open: 7am to 8pm Phone: 04362-2360936 Chandran Temple More Information>>

Tirunallar (Saturn)

55km, this is the only temple dedicated to Lord Shani (Saturn).  Of the numerous tanks, the Nala Theertham is the most important as it is believed to wash away all kinds of misfortune and afflictions.  The legendary King Nala got relieved of his afflictions, after worshipping here. Open 6am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm Phone: 04368-236530 Lord Saniswarar Temple More Information>>

Suryanarkoil (Sun)

19km, this temple was built by King Kulottunga Chola in the year 1100AD, well before the famous Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa was even conceived.  Devotees come here to propitiate Sun God to bestow upon them health, success and prosperity.  every year in mid January, the harvest festival in honor of Surya tracts huge crowds. Open 6am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 8pm; Phone: 0435-2472349Suriyan Temple More Information>>

Kanchanur (Venus)

22km, at this site Lord Brahma visualized the marriage of Shiva with Parvati.  Men congregate here to pray for the well-being of their wife. Open 7am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 8pm Phone: 0435-2470155/2473737 Sukra Bagavan Temple More Information>>

Tiruvalampuran (Ketu)

57km, at this ancient Saiviate temple, Ketu worshipped Lord Shiva. Rahu and Ketu are associated with the legend of the churning of the ocean by Shiva to obtain nectar of immorality.  It houses a temple dedicated to Ketu. Open 6am to 1pm and 4pm to 8pm Phone: 04364-275222 Kethu Bhagavan Temple More Information>>

Alangudi (Jupiter)

19km, the temple of Lord Dakshinamurthy here attracts a large number of devotees when planet Jupiter transits between zodiac signs.  Legend has it that the reborn Parvati united with Shiva on the banks of Amrita Pushkarini within the temple precincts. Open 6am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm Phone: 04374-269407 Guru Temple More Information>>

Tiruvenkadu (Mercury)

60km, this sacred temple finds mention in epic Ramayana.  The planet Budhan (Mercury) is said to bestow wisdom and intellect. Open 6am to 12noon and 4pm to 9pm Phone: 04364-256424 Bhudhan Temple More Information>>

To cover all these nine temples, one requires at least three days.  Hotels at Thanjavur and Kumbakonam provide good accommodation.

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