A closeup view of the idols of Navagrahas in a temple
A closeup view of the idols of Navagrahas in a temple

Navagrahas temples are the nine temples dedicated to Navagrahas (nine planets or nine celestial bodies). The Navagrahas are believed to be the transmitters of Universal, quintessential energy or power. The Navagrahas are closely associated with the fixed stars in the Zodiac. The Navagrahas temples are located at different places in and around Kumbakonam sector of Tamilnadu.

The Navagraha temples are considered to be the best destination to get rid of from the influence of planets. And most of these Navagraha temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva is worshipped as the main deity. The only Navagraha temple dedicated to Grahas (celestial bodies) are Suryanar temple. The Navagraha Temples are:

An image of Navagrahas
An image of Navagrahas
  1. Suryanar Kovil (or) Sun Temple – Surya (Sun)
  2. Agneeswarar Temple, Kanjanur – Shukra (Venus)
  3. Kailasanathar Temple, Thingalur – Chandra (Moon)
  4. Vaitheeswaran Temple – Mangala (Mars)
  5. Thirunageswaram Naganatha Swamy Temple – Rahu
  6. Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple,Thirunallar – Sani (Saturn)
  7. Naganathaswamy Temple, Keezhaperumpallam – Kethu
  8. Abathsahayeswarar Temple, Alangudi – Guru (Jupiter)
  9. Sri Swetharanyeswara Swamy Temple, Thiruvengadu Budhan Sthalam – Budha (Mercury)
A view infront of Suryanar Kovil (or) Sun Temple, Aduthurai Suriyan Sthalam
A view infront of Suryanar Kovil (or) Sun Temple, Aduthurai Suriyan Sthalam

Suryanar Kovil (or) Sun Temple

Suryanar Kovil is located at Aduthurai, Tanjore district of Tamilnadu, dedicated to Sun God. Suryanar Kovil is the only temple where the eight other planets are also housed, and each planets are located in separate Sannadhis of the temple. The peculiarity of this temple is that the eight other planets here, faces towards the God Surya.

A distant view of Kanjanur Shukran Sthalam, also known as Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukanjanur
A distant view of Kanjanur Shukran Sthalam, also known as Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukanjanur

Agneeswarar Temple, Kanjanur

Agneeswarar Temple is located at Kanjanur, Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, which represents the Navagraha Shukra (Venus). The presiding deity of kanjanur Agneeswarar Temple is Lord Shiva and the Thayaar of this temple is Goddess Karpagambigai (Goddess Parvati). The special feature of this temple is that the sage Parasara Muni was believed to be blessed by Lord Shiva with His divine cosmic dance.

A view infront of Kailasanathar Temple, also named as Thingalur Chandran Sthalam
A view infront of Kailasanathar Temple, also named as Thingalur Chandran Sthalam

Kailasanathar Temple, Thingalur

Kailasanathar Temple is located at Thingalur, Tanjore district of Tamilnadu, which represents the Navagraha Chandra (Moon). The presiding deity of Thingalur Kailasanathar Temple is Lord Kailasanathar (Lord Shiva). The Moon god is located in a separate shrine in Kailasanathar Temple.

A view of a mandapam (Hall) with Pillars inside the Vaitheeswaran Temple
A view of a mandapam (Hall) with Pillars inside the Vaitheeswaran Temple

Vaitheeswaran Temple

Vaitheeswaran Temple is located 7 Kilo meters from Sirkazhi, Chidambaram, and State of Tamilnadu, representing Mangala (Mars). Lord Shiva is the main deity of this temple who is worshipped as Vaitheeswaran, the god of healing. The specialty of this temple is that there is an Emerald Lingam which is known as Maragatha Lingam present in this temple.

A view inside Thirunageswaram Naganatha Swamy Temple, also named as Raahu Sthalam
A view inside Thirunageswaram Naganatha Swamy Temple, also named as Raahu Sthalam

Thirunageswaram Naganatha Swamy Temple

Thirunageswaram Naganatha Swamy Temple is located at the town of Thirunageswaram, Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, which represents the Navagraha Rahu. The presiding deity of Thirunageswaram Naganatha Swamy Temple is Lord Shiva, worshiped by the name Lord Nageswarar. The special feature of this temple is that, this is the only temple where Lord Raghu can be seen with His consorts. Thirunageswaram Naganatha Swamy Temple was believed to be built by Gandaraditya Chola, son of Parantaka Chola.

Thirunallar Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple also named as Saneeswara Bagavan Sthalam
Thirunallar Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple also named as Saneeswara Bagavan Sthalam

Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple,Thirunallar

Thirunallaru Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple is located at Thirunallar, Karaikkal district, Pondicherry, represents the Navagraha God Sani (Saturn). The presiding deity of Thirunallaru Dharbaranyeswarar Temple is Lord Shiva, worshiped by the name Lord Dharbaranyeswarar. The deity Lord Dharbaranyeswarar is believed to be made of dharba grass. The center icon of the temple planet Saturn is considered as the door keeper of the temple.

A view of the entrance at Keezhaperumpallam Naganathaswamy Temple named as Kethu Sthalam
A view of the entrance at Keezhaperumpallam Naganathaswamy Temple named as Kethu Sthalam

Naganathaswamy Temple, Keezhaperumpallam

Keezhaperumpallam Naganathaswamy Temple is located at Keezhaperumpallam, Nagapatnam district of Tamilnadu, which represents the Navagraha Kethu. The presiding deity of Naganathaswamy Temple is Lord Shiva, worshiped in the form of Lord Naganatha Swamy. The center icon of the temple Kethu is considered to be a shadow planet.

A view behind the Abathsahayeswarar Temple
A view behind the Abathsahayeswarar Temple

Abathsahayeswarar Temple, Alangudi

Abathsahayeswarar Temple is located at Alangudi, Valangaiman taluk of Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, represents the Navagraha Guru (Jupiter). The presiding deity of Abathsahayeswarar Temple is Lord Shiva in the form of Lord Abathsahayeswarar. And the Navagraha Jupiter is worshiped in the form of Lord Dhakshinamurthy, the Guru.

A distant image of Thiruvengadu Swetharanyeswara Swamy Temple, also known as Budhan Sthalam
A distant image of Thiruvengadu Swetharanyeswara Swamy Temple, also known as Budhan Sthalam

Sri Swetharanyeswara Swamy Temple, Thiruvengadu Budhan Sthalam

Thiruvenkadu Swetharanyeswara Swamy Temple is located at Sirkazhi, Nagai district of Tamilnadu, represents the Navagraha Budha (Mercury). The presiding deity of Swetharanyeswarar Temple is Lord Shiva in the form of Lord Swetharanyeswarar. Thiruvenkadu Swetharanyeswara Swamy Temple is popularly known for “Agora Murthi”, a unique incarnation of Lord Shiva.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

LEAVE A REPLY