Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu
Temples dedicated to the nine grahas, each graha having a separate temple! Must visit circuit close to Madurai and Thanjavur.
The Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu are a cluster of ancient temples dating back to the Chola dynasty, located near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. According to Hindu legend, Sage Kalava suffered from serious ailments, including leprosy, and prayed to the Navagrahas, the nine planet deities, for a cure. The planets, pleased with his devotion, offered him a cure. However, Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, was angered by this and felt that the planets did not have the power to grant boons to humans. As a result, he cursed the nine planets to suffer from leprosy and sent them to earth in Vellurukku Vanam, the white wildflower jungle—modern-day Suryanar Kovil. The planets then prayed to Shiva to relieve them of the curse. Shiva appeared and told them that the place belonged to them and that they would grace the devotees worshipping them from that location.
Each temple is located in a different village and is considered the abode of one of the Navagrahas. However, the majority of these temples are dedicated to Shiva, with the Surya temple being the only one dedicated specifically to a graha. The Surya temple is dedicated entirely to the worship of the Sun God, with the other navagrahas as attendant deities. It was built around the 11th or 12th century C.E., while the other temples date back to the 7th-9th century.
The Navagraha Temples
- Surya Navagrahastalam – Sooriyanar Kovil
- Chandra Navagrahastalam – Thingaloor
- Angaarakan (Mangal) Navagrahastalam – Vaitheeswaran Kovil
- Budha Navagrahastalam – Thiruvenkadu
- Guru Navagrahastalam – Alangudi
- Sukra Navagrahastalam – Kanjanur
- Shani Navagrahastalam – Thirunallar
- Raahu Navagrahastalam – Thirunageswaram
- Ketu Navagrahastalam – Keezhperumpallam
Surya Navagrahastalam – Sooriyanar Kovil
It is important to note that only two temples in India are dedicated to the Sun God, who is considered the King of Gods. It is believed that King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty built the Suryanar Temple, situated in the village of Suryanarkoil in the Thanjavur district. Located on the banks of the river Cauvery, the temple is one of the highlights of the region. The temple is located 2 km north of Aduthurai, 15 km east of Kumbakonam, and roughly 20 km from Mayiladuthurai. The temple lies along the Kumbakonam-Mayiladuthurai road, making it easily accessible for devotees.
The best time to visit the temple is between October and March. The temple tower stands 15.5 meters high, with three tiers and five domes at the peak. The temple tank is located to the north of the rajagopuram (main entrance). It is important to take a sacred bath in the temple tank or sprinkle water on your head before worshipping the deity. The temple has over 12 theerthams (sacred water bodies), and all nine planets have separate sanctums (sannadhis) within the temple, which is one of the highlights.
Inside the sanctum sanctorum, the presiding deity, Sri Suryanarayanaswamy, is found in a lying posture, accompanied by his consorts Sri Usha Devi and Sri Pratyusha Devi. The other eight Navagrahas face the presiding deity, the Sun God. The Kol Theertha Vinayakar (Ganesha) shrine is also a prominent sculpture in the temple.