The Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu are a cluster of 9 small Navagraha Temples dedicated to 9 celestial planets dating from the Chola dynasty near Cauvery delta region of Kumbakonam – Thanjavur Tamil Nadu.
The whole astrology lies on these Navagrahas. Astrology is based on the belief that the planets influence human beings and events in the world all the seven planets except Rahu and Ketu were considered as gods and they had different qualities, this is believed that these planets controls our life.
Traditionally these are Shiva temples with a shrine for one of the planets. But in most of the temples, Shiva has taken backseat giving prime importance to the planet. These stalam are Surya, Chandra, Mangala or Angaraka, Bhudha, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Kethu.
| Planet Represents | Temple Name | Location Village |
| Mars or Mangal in Hindi | Vaidyanatha Swamy,jatayu kudlam | Vaitheeswaran kovil |
| Mercury or budh in Hindi | Swetharanyeswarar Temple | Thiruvenkadu |
| Moons ‘south Node or ketu | Sri Naganathaswamy Temple | Keezhaperumpallam |
| Saturn or Shani in Hindi | Dharbaranyeswaraswamy Temple | Thirunallar |
| Sun or Surya in Hindi | Suryanar Kovil | Suryanar Kovil |
| Venus or Sukra in Hindi | Sri Agneeswarar Temple | Kanjanur |
| Moon’sNorth node/Uranus Rahu | Tirunageswaram Naganathar Temple | Thirunageswaram |
| Jupiter or Guru in Hindi | Dhakshanamoorthy/ Guru Bhagavaan | Alangudi |
| Moon or Chandr in Hindi | Shri Kailasanathar Temple – Chandran | Thingaloor |
Legend,
Sage Kalava was suffering from serious ailments along with leprosy. He prayed to the Navagrahas, the nine planet deities. The planets were pleased by his devotion and offered cure to the sage. Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, was angered as he felt that the planets have no powers to provide boons to humans. He cursed the nine planets to suffer from leprosy and were sent down to earth in Vellerukku Vanam, the white wild flower jungle – the modern time Suryanar Kovil. The planets prayed to Shiva to relieve them off the curse. Shiva appeared to them and said that the place belonged to them and they would have to grace the devotees worshipping them from the place. Each temple is located in a different village, and is considered an abode of one of the Navagrahas. However, eight among these temples are dedicated to Shiva. The Surya temple is the only one dedicated to the Graham. In fact, it is dedicated entirely to the worship of the Sun-God and the other navagrahas, the former being the object of worship as the principal deity and the latter as attendant deities. It was built around the 11th or 12th century. The other temples were built earlier, ranging back to 7th-9th century.
Please Note
if you are planning to special puja in these temples, please allot more time in your tour Programme. Popular temples like Shani, Rahu, Guru and Surya has special Darshan tickets. One can buy them to beat the rush. Shani and Rahu temples are most crowed each day is auspicious to one god. For example, Saturday is auspicious for Shani and Thursday for Guru. Expect more people in these temples on these special days.
General Opening time of all temples is at 6.30 AM and close around 1.30PM. Opens again around 4.00 PM till 9 PM. However need to recheck and reconfirm once on tour
GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/ihK2tzQptM644Quo7
Warm welcome on arrival at Madurai airport/railway station; head towards Trichy;
reach at Trichy, check in at hotel. Later visit SRI JAMBUKESHWARAR TEMPLE, one of the five Pancha Bootha Stalams, the element of water or Neer in Tamil. Overnight stay at Trichy
GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/tS5NnwDScKTScejo8
PLANET COVERED: CHANDRA(Moon), GURU (Jupiter), RAHU(Moon’s North node/Uranus), SUKRA (Venus)
After an early morning breakfast drive to Kumbakonam, enroute visit THANJAVUR BRIHADEESHWARA TEMPLE (UNESCO World Heritage Site) on the way.
Next proceed to visit four of the nine Navagraha Temples enroute.
Visit THE CHANDIRANAAR TEMPLE (also called Kailasanathar temple or Thingalur temple) is a Hindu temple in the village of Thingalur 57 km from Trichy. The temple is one of the nine Navagraha temples – it houses the image of MOON (called Thingal locally).
Later on the way to Kumbakonam, visit AIRAVATHEESWARA TEMPLE, dedicated to Lord Shiva, at Darasuram (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Next you will visit ALANGUDI APATSAHAYESVARAR TEMPLE, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the village of Alangudi 76 km from Thingalur, The temple is a part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage – it houses the image of GURU (Jupiter)
Proceed to visit TIRUNAGESWARAM NAGANATHAR TEMPLE also known as Rahu Stalam is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thirunageswaram, a village 107 km from Alangudi. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the temples associated with the nine planet elements, the Navagraha Stalas, and specifically RAHU.
Later visit SRI AGNEESWARAR TEMPLE, a Hindu temple in the village of Kanjanur, 14 km from Thirunageswaram. The presiding deity is SUKRA (Venus). However, the main idol in the temple is that of “Agniswarar” or Shiva.
Upon arrival at Kumbakonam, check-in to the hotel for an overnight stay.
GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/yvqoRUL1DUqp33vV9
PLANET COVERED: SURYA (Sun) , SHANI (Saturn), KETU, (Moons ‘south Node), BUDH( Mercury), MANGAL ( Mars)
After an early morning breakfast proceed to visit another five of the nine Navagraha Temples.
Today visit SURYANAR KOVIL, a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Hindu Sun-God (SURYA), located in Suryanar Kovil village 4 km from Kanjanur.
Proceed to Thirunallar which is 45 km from Suryanar Kovil and visit SRI DHARBARANYESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE, a Hindu temple dedicated to LORD SHANI (SATURN). The presiding deity is Lord Siva, Dharbaranyeswara and the place Thirunallar was historically called Dharbaranyam.
Proceed to visit the NAGANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE or Kethu Sthalam is a Hindu temple in the village of Keezhaperumpallam (33 km from Thirunallar). The presiding deity is Ketu, a shadow planet. However, the main idol in the temple is that of “Naganatha Swamy” or Shiva. The temple is a part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage – it houses the image of KETU.
Later visit SWETHARANYESWARAR TEMPLE, a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thiruvenkadu (8 km from Keezhaperumpallam). It is one of the temples associated with the nine planet elements, the Navagraha Stalas, and specically BUDHA.
Drive to VAITHEESWARAN KOVIL or PULLIRUKKUVELUR (16 km from Thiruvenkadu), a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva. It is one of the nine Navagraha (nine planets) temples and is associated with the PLANET MARS (Angaraka). It is also believed that Lord Rama performed the last rites to Jatayu here. The nectar with which the Sidhas worshipped Shiva is said to have flown into the Sidhamrita Theertham.
After the temple tour, return to Kumbakonam for an overnight stay
GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/dCmZjFJwUts9XJL5A
After taking breakfast in the morning, travel to Madurai, at Madurai visit MEENAKSHI SUNDARESHWAR TEMPLE one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures there, the temple is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostration of countless devotees and glittering market stalls. TIRUPARANKUNDRAM MURUGAN TEMPLE a Hindu temple and one of the Six Abodes of Murugan, built in rock-cut architecture by the Pandyas during the 6th century. Also visit the TIRUMAL NAYAK’S PALACE a highly decorative monument. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 foot high stone pillar, still stands. Later drop at Madurai airport/railway station for your onward Journey
