Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu | 9 Planets

Navagraha pilgrimages refer to sacred journeys dedicated to the Navagraha, which are the nine major celestial bodies (Grahas) of Hindu astronomy. These temples are constructed using stone materials.

These celestial bodies are named are:

1. Surya – Sun
2. Chandra – Moon
3. Mangala – Mars
4. Budha – Mercury
5. Brihaspati – Jupiter
6. Shukra – Venus
7. Shani – Saturn
8. Rahu – North Lunar Node
9. Ketu – South Lunar Node

There are many temples in South India that house a shrine dedicated to the Navagrahas. However, the phrase “Navagraha temples” means a group of nine different temples, with each one serving as the divine dwelling for one of the Navagrahas.

The Navagraha temples near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu trace their origins back to the Chola dynasty. According to Hindu legend, Sage Kalava, afflicted by severe ailments including leprosy, the sage prayed to the Navagrahas, the deities of the nine planets. Pleased by his devotion, the planets offered him a cure. This angered Sri Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, who believed that only he had the power to grant boons. Brahma cursed the nine planets with leprosy and banished them to Earth in Vellerukku Vanam, the white wildflower jungle, now known as Suryanar Kovil. Desperate for relief, the planets turned to Lord Shiva, who appeared before them and designated the temples as their divine abodes. Each temple, situated in a different village, is associated with one of the Navagrahas. Interestingly, eight of these temples are dedicated to Shiva.

The Surya temple stands as the sole sanctuary exclusively dedicated to the Graham. Specifically, it is devoted entirely to the veneration of the Surya Bhagavan, with the remaining Navagrahas serving as supporting deities. The sun temple was built around the 11th or 12th century. The other temples were built earlier between the 7th-9th century.

Famous Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu:

1. Surya Navagraha Temple – Sooriyanar Kovil, Thanjavur.
2. Chandra Navagraha Temple – Thingalur, Thanjavur.
3. Angaarakan Navagraha Temple – Vaitheeswaran Kovil, Mayiladuthurai.
4. Budha Navagraha Temple – Thiruvenkadu, Mayiladuthurai.
5. Guru Navagraha Temple – Alangudi, Thiruvarur.
6. Sukra Navagraha Temple – Kanjanur, Thanjavur.
7. Shani Navagraha Temple – Thirunallar, Karaikal.
8. Rahu Navagraha Temple – Thirunageswaram, Thanjavur.
9. Ketu Navagraha Temple – Keezhperumpallam, Mayiladuthurai.
10. Angineeshwar Temple – Birthplace of Sri Saneeswara and Sri Yematharmar, Kodiyalur, Thirumeyachur, Thiruvarur.

Navagraha Temples in Chennai Kundrathur

A similar group of Navagraha temples is in Chennai, the ancient Thondai Nadu in and around Kundrathur. It was founded by Thyagaraja gurukul and Bhuvaneshwari. Their family published a little book from Navagraha Stalam Puranam in Chennai.

1. Agatheeswarar Temple – Suryan – Kolapakkkam
2. Somanaadheeswarar Temple – Chandran – Somangalam
3. Vaidheeswaran Temple – Angaragan – Poovirundhavalli (Poondhamalli)
4. Sundareswarar Temple – Budhan – Kovur
5. Ramanaadheeswarar Temple – Guru – Porur
6. Velleeswarar Temple – Sukran – Mangadu
7. Agatheeswarar Temple – Shaneeswaran – Pozhichalur
8. Neelakandeswarar Temple – Kethu – Gerugambakkam
9. Nageshwarar Temple – Rahu – Kundratthur

Navagraha Temples / Nava Tirupathi in Tirunelveli

1. Srivaikuntanathan Permual Temple – Suryan
2. Vijayaasana Perumal Temple – Chandran
3. Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple – Sevvai
4. Thiru Pulingudi Perumal Temple – Budhan
5. Alwar Thirunagari Temple – Gurubhagawan
6. Makara Nedunkuzhai Kannan Temple – Sukran
7. Srinivasa Perumal Temple – Shaniswaran
8. Irattai Thiruppathy, Aravindalochanar – Raghu
9. Irattai Thiruppathy, Devapiran – Kedhu

Navagraha Temples in Gudiyatham, Vellore

1. Surya Navagraha Temple – Karupulleshwarar Temple, Nellore, Gudiyatham
2. Chandra Navagraha Temple – Sri Linganatha Swamy Temple
3. Angaarakan Navagraha Temple – Sri Mahadevar Temple
4. Budha Navagraha Temple – Sri Semmalai Temple
5. Guru Navagraha Temple – Sri Gurubhagavan Temple, Perumbadi.
6. Sukra Navagraha Temple – Sri Kaalabhairavar Temple, Pogalur
7. Shani Navagraha Temple – Sri Baalasarthuleshwarar Temple, Gudiyatham north
8. Rahu Navagraha Temple – Sri Naganathaswamy Temple, near Gudiyatham
9. Ketu Navagraha Temple – Sri Naganathaswamy Temple, near Gudiyatham