Navagraha Temples In South India
During our South India Trip my husband also had plans to visit the Navagraha Temples ( 9 of them ) .
Navagrahas correspond to the nine planets . In Hinduism the planets are believed to influence the horoscope computed based on time of one’s birth and subsequently influence the course of life . Each of the planets are believed to move from a star to another during a predefined period and this sway over an individual’s fortunes. Depending on where each planet is at it can provide both good and bad effects for an individual. Prayers to the Navagraha are supposed to counter the bad effects .
We did 8 of the Navagraha temples plus another 3 temples over two days ! One of the Navagraha temple was closed for renovations. Doing this many temples over two days takes a lot of planning . Kudos to my husband who did all of the planning .
We had a hired car that basically took us to each temple .
Suriyanar Temple – The Sun Temple
Suriyanar is the temple for the Sun . It was built around 11 th century . It also has shrines for all the other Navagrahams . The only temple in South India to have Shrines for all the other Navagrahams .
Vaitheeswarn Temple – Mars
Vaitheeswaran Temple is the temple of Mars . This god is known as the god of healing . Again this temple was also built in the 11 century. There is also a large pond in this temple.
Swetharanyeswarar Temple – Mercury/Budha
This is the temple of Mercury . Originally believed to have been built by the Cholas and present structure completed in the 16 th century . Mercury is believed to help with speaking skills .
Nagannathaswamy Temple – Kethu
The Kethu temple’s original complex built by the Cholas and the present structure is from the 16 th century. In this temple lighting a set of lamps is common .
Abathsaayeswarar Temple – Guru/Jupiter
This is the temple for Guru ( Jupiter ) . It was also originally built by the Cholas and the current structure was built in the 16 th century .
Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple – Saturn Temple
This is the only temple dedicated to Saneeswaran ( Saturn ) god . People traditionally visit here when Saturn Transits from one planet to another . There is also a scared bathing people – that people bath in to wash off misfortunes .
Agniswarar Temple – Venus Temple
This is the temple for Venus and it was built by the Chola Kings
Thirunageswaram Naganatha Samy – Ragu Temple
This is the temple for Ragu and was also built in the 10 th century by Chola kings . This temple is bordered by the famous Kaveri River . This temple also has a water pond in which you can bath to cleanse your sins .
