The Navagraha temples of TamilNadu

The Navagrahas:

In Hinduism, the Navagrahas, or nine celestial bodies, are believed to significantly influence human life. These include the seven traditional planets, plus two ‘shadow’

planets. ‘Graha,’ meaning ‘seizer,’ suggests their ability to control destinies by crossing fixed stars. Negative planetary influences, ‘doshas,’ are addressed through pacifying rituals. Birth positions   and   ongoing

alignments of these planets are thought to impact various aspects of life, including success, health, and relationships. Lord Shiva, as the supreme deity of the Navagrahas, granted them the authority to bestow blessings according to the devotees’ sincere devotion.

The Navagrahas are:

1. Surya(Sun)
2. Chandra(Moon)
3. Mangala(Mars)
4. Budha (Mercury)
5. Guru(Jupiter)
6. Shukra(Venus)
7. Shani(Saturn)
8. Rahu
9. Ketu

The placement of these planets in 12 houses of your birth chart may have adverse good and bad outcomes.

Traits of Navagrahas:

 

Name	Traits	Colour
Surya(Sun)	Vitality, authority, ego, father figure	Gold
Chandra (Moon)	Emotions, mind, mother figure, sensitivity	Silver
Mangal (Mars)	Energy, courage, aggression, siblings	Red
Budha (Mercury)	Intellect, communication, business, speech	Green
Guru (Jupiter)	Wisdom, knowledge, prosperity, teachers	Yellow
Shukra (Venus)	Love, beauty, luxury, relationship	White/ Yellow
Shani (Saturn)	Discipline, karma, responsibility, limitations	Black/ Blue
Rahu	Obsessions, desires, illusions, sudden changes	Dark Blue
Ketu	Detachment, spirituality, past karma, liberation	Grey

Suriyanar temple – For Surya-SUN

This temple is unique, featuring individual shrines for all nine planetary deities, with the Sun god Suriyanar and his consorts, Ushadevi and Pratyusha Devi, as the presiding deities.

Location: Aduthurai, Thanjavur District, TamilNadu Benefits of visiting:

• Relief from Surya Dosha – Alleviation of Sun-related negative influences
• Improved Health and Vitality – Enhanced physical and mental health
• Enhanced Leadership Qualities – Strengthened authority and influence
• CareerSuccess and Recognition – Achievement of career goals
• Increased occupational prosperity
• FamilyHarmony
• SpiritualEnlightenment – Deepening of spiritual understanding

Chandiranar temple – For Chandra-MOON:

This temple, named Kailashanathar temple, features Shiva as the main idol, despite Soma (Moon) being the presiding deity. During September/October and March/April, the  temple  showcases  a  unique

phenomenon: moonlight directly illuminates the Shiva Lingam. A significant tradition at this temple is the first feeding of rice to new-born children.

Location: Thingalur, Thanjavur District, TamilNadu Benefits of visiting:

• Seeking relief from mental illness and familial problems.
• Relief from Chandra Dosha (negative lunar influences) that can cause emotional instability,anxiety, and mental
• Promote emotional balance and mental peace
• Strengthen familial bonds, particularly with the mother
• EnhancedCreativity and Intuition
• Mooninfluences fluid balance in the body hence visiting the temple may bring relief from related health issues.

Vaitheeswaran temple – For Mangal-MARS:

Believed to cure diseases, Vaitheeswaran (Lord Shiva) temple provides healing through holy baths, medicinal soil, sandalwood remedies, and symbolic offerings of silver body parts. This temple is also associated with the planet Mars. Here Lord Shiva is known as the God of healing.

Location: Mayiladuthurai District, TamilNadu

Benefits of visiting:

• Prayerscan cure various ailments
• Mitigatethe negative effects of Mars Dosha
• Removeobstacles and difficulties in life
• Promote proper growth and well-being in
• Overallphysical and mental

Swetharanyeswarar Temple – For Budha-MERCURY

At this temple, Lord Shiva is revered as Swetharanyeswarar, symbolized by  the lingam, while Goddess Parvathi is worshipped as Brahmavidyambigai.

The temple’s significance is further enhanced by the legend of Budha, born of an illicit union between Chandra and Tara, who, through intense devotion to Lord Shiva, was elevated to Navagraha status. Additionally, Goddess Parvathi bestowed divine knowledge upon Brahma within these sacred walls.

Location: Thiruvenkadu, Mayiladuthurai, District, TamilNadu

Benefits of visiting:

• Mitigate the negative effects of Budha Dosha, which can cause problems with speech, intellect, and business
• EnhancedIntellect and Communication Skills
• Successin Business and Trade
• Helpsstudents and those pursuing academic
• Budhainfluence the nervous system hence visiting temple may provide relief from Nervous Disorders
• Blessingsfor

 

Apathsahayesvarar Temple– For Guru-JUPITER

At this temple, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Apathsahayesvarar, symbolized by the lingam, and Goddess Parvathi as Elavarkuzhali. Notably,

it also houses the seven prime consorts found in Shiva temples, including Dakshinamoorthy (Jupiter). Hence this temple is also known as Alangudi Guru Temple.

Location: Alangudi, Thiruvarur District, TamilNadu

Benefits of visiting:

• Mitigatethe negative effects of Guru Dosha, which can cause obstacles in marriage, finances, and education
• EnhancedWisdom and Knowledge
• IncreasedProsperity and Wealth
• Helpstudents and those pursuing academic goals
• Maritalblessings
• Spiritualgrowth and guidance
• Apatsahayesvararmeans “protector in times of danger”

 

Agniswarar temple – For Shukra–VENUS

 

This significant Navagraha temple on the banks of Cauvery River, primarily associated with Shukra (Venus), features Shiva as Agniswarar as its main deity. Shukra is believed to reside within the stomach of the Shiva idol.

Location: Kanjanur, Thanjavur District, TamilNadu

Benefits of visiting:

• Mitigate the negative effects of Shukra Dosha, which can cause problems in relationships, finances, and luxury.
• EnhancedLove and Relationships
• Financial stability, financial blessings and enjoyment of life’s pleasures
• ImprovedArtistic and Creative Abilities
• Strengthenedmarital harmony

 

Thirunallar Temple – For Shani-SATURN

This temple houses several shrines, most notably those dedicated to Lord Shiva (Dharbaranyeswarar), Goddess Parvathi (Praneswari Amman), Shani (Saturn), and Somaskanda. It’s a key Navagraha pilgrimage site, particularly for devotees of Shani.

Location: Thirunallar, Karaikkal District, TamilNadu Benefits of visiting:

• Mitigatethe negative effects of Shani Dosha, which can cause hardships, delays, and obstacles in life.
• Lessenadverse effects of Sade Sati period (Saturn’s seven-and-a-half-year transit)
• Disciplineand Responsibility
• Stabilityand enduring achievements
• Spiritualgrowth and wisdom

 

Naganathar Temple/Rahu Sthalam – For Rahu (shadow planet)

Naganathar Temple, on River Cauvery’s south bank, features Lord Shiva (Naganathar lingam) and Goddess Parvathi (Piraisoodi Amman), with a separate Rahu shrine. A Rahu milk ablution miracle attracts devotees seeking relief from serpent-related afflictions (Sarpa dosha/Rahu- Ketu block). The presiding deity is believed to have been worshipped by many serpent deities.

Location: Tirunageswaram, Thanjavur District, TamilNadu Benefits of visiting:

• Mitigatethe negative effects of Rahu Dosha, which can cause sudden changes, illusions, and mental
• Mitigationof Sarpa Dosha
• Rahukaalam- Witnessing the milk turning blue
• Blessingsfor Prosperity
• Remove obstacles and difficulties in life related to hidden influences.
• Spiritualprotection from negative energies and

 

Nagannathaswamy Temple/Ketu Sthalam – For Ketu (shadow planet)

While Ketu, a shadow planet, is the presiding deity, the primary idols worshipped in this temple are Nagannathaswamy (Lord Shiva) and Soundara Nayagi (Goddess Parvathi). To obtain immortality, gods and demons churned the Ocean of Milk using Vasuki as a rope and

Mount Mandara. The resulting poison was consumed by Lord Shiva. Vasuki, remorseful, prayed to Lord Shiva, who then appeared as Naganathar at this location.

Location: Keelaperumpallam, Mayiladuthurai District, TamilNadu Benefits of visiting:

• Mitigate the negative effects of Ketu Dosha, which can cause detachment, confusion, and spiritual obstacles
• Mitigationof Sarpa Dosha
• ImprovedIntuition and Psychic Abilities
• Remove hidden obstacles and promote clarity
• Spiritual growth and detachment from material desires