Are you fascinated by the mysteries of celestial planets and their impact on our lives? If yes, then you must visit the Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu. These nine temples are named after the nine celestial planets that are believed to have the strongest influence on our destinies.
Each temple is dedicated to a specific planet, and people from all over the world come here to seek blessings and remedies for their problems.
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Discover The Navagraha Temples In Tamil Nadu!
Here is a list of the top navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu that will enrich your spiritual experiences.
9 Navagraha Temples In Tamil Nadu
Sooriyanar Kovil (Sun)
The temple is dedicated to the almighty Hindu sun deity Surya and is located in a village near the south Indian town of Kumbakonam.
This temple is regarded as unusual because it is the only one that houses the eight other planetary deities. This majestic temple classically depicts the typical Dravidian and South Indian architectural traditions, giving it a visual feast for the eyes.
- How to reach Sooriyanar Kovil? To reach Sooriyanar Kovil, take a flight to Trichy International Airport (TRZ), then board a train/bus to Kumbakonam, and finally, hire local transportation to the temple.
- What is Sooriyanar Kovil famous for? Sooriyanar Kovil is famous for its unique Navagraha architecture, dedicated to the Sun God, in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Best time to visit Sooriyanar Kovil? The best time to visit Sooriyanar Kovil is during the annual Thai Poosam festival in January or February.
Kailasanathar (moon)Â
This Hindu temple is devoted to the moon god Soma and is located a few minutes from Kumbakonam. Although the temple is devoted to the moon god, the presiding deity picture is Lord Shiva, also known as ‘Kailasanathar’.
This majestic-looking temple is made up of five tiers of gigantic Rajgopuram constructions and is flanked by two more temple-specific closed limits.
- How to reach Kailasanathar? For any tourists planning to visit Kailasanathar Temple Kanchipuram, it is located 2.4 kilometers from the bus terminal and 2.5 kilometers from the train station. If you are near both of these locations, you can take a cab or an auto to get to the temple.
- What is Kailasanathar famous for? Kailasanathar is famous for being the oldest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Best time to visit Kailasanathar? The best time to visit Kailasanathar is during the winter months, from November to February, for pleasant weather and optimal conditions.
Vaitheeswaram koil (mars)
This Hindu temple, devoted to the heavenly planet Mars (Angaraka), is one of the most important Navgraha temples in Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is Vaidyanathar, also known as the ‘god of healing’ and an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is claimed that worshipping the Lord here will relieve you of all diseases and ailments.
- How to reach Vaitheeswaram koil? To reach Vaitheeswaram Koil, you can take a bus to Chidambaram, a flight to Tiruchirapalli Airport, or a train to Mayiladuthurai Railway Station, followed by local transportation to the temple.
- What is Vaitheeswaram Koil famous for? Vaitheeswaran Koil is famous for its ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and its association with traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) as the birthplace of the sage Agastya.
- Best time to visit Vaitheeswaram koil? The best time to visit Vaitheeswaram Koil is during the winter months from November to February when the weather is cooler and more pleasant.
Swetharanyeswarar temple (mercury)
This Hindu temple is situated in the town of Thiruvenkadu and is a significant pilgrimage site for Shaivite devotees in Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is Swetharanyeswarar, a form of Lord Shiva, and his consort, Brahmavidya Ambal.
Devotees of Lord Shiva frequently visit this location as it is home to Agora Murthi, a unique avatar of Lord Shiva. The temple is located on the banks of the holy river Kaveri and is often referred to as the Kashi Vishwanath of the South.
- How to reach Swetharanyeswarar temple? To reach Swetharanyeswarar temple, take a bus or train to Thiruvenkadu in Tamil Nadu, India, or fly to nearby airports like Trichy International Airport, followed by local transport to the temple.
- What is Swetharanyeswarar temple famous for? Swetharanyeswarar Temple is famous for its unique feature of having a natural spring, known as Brahma Theertham, in its sanctum sanctorum.
- Best time to visit Swetharanyeswarar temple? The best time to visit Swetharanyeswarar Temple is during the Maha Shivaratri festival.
Apatsahayesvarar temple (Jupiter)
The temple, which is located in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvarur district, is devoted to the celestial planet Jupiter and Lord Shiva. The complete temple building spans 2 acres and features two tiers of huge entrances known as gopurams.
The original temple construction is claimed to have been built by mighty Cholas, and it has since become one of the most popular religious tourist sites. The Brahmotsav celebration is celebrated with much pomp, show, and color.
- How to reach Apatsahayesvarar temple? To reach Apatsahayesvarar temple, take a bus or train to Kumbakonam and then proceed by road; the nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport for flights.
- What is the Apatsahayesvarar temple famous for? The Apatsahayesvarar temple is famous for being dedicated to Lord Shiva as the “God who comes to the rescue in times of distress.”
- Best time to visit Apatsahayesvarar temple? The best time to visit Apatsahayesvarar temple is during the Maha Shivaratri festival.
Agniswarar temple (venus)
This Hindu temple, devoted to the heavenly planet Venus, is located in Tamil Nadu’s Kumbakonam region. The temple’s ruling deity is Shukra (the Venus Lord), while the main idol, like in other temples, is Lord Shiva.
This was done by the popular Shaivite belief that Lord Shiva is the Almighty. Another reason why the major statue is dedicated to Lord Shiva is that Venus is thought to reside in the Lord’s stomach, making it even more holy.
- How to reach Agniswarar temple? To reach Agniswarar temple, take a bus to Thiruvannamalai, fly to Chennai International Airport, or take a train to Arni Road Railway Station, followed by local transportation to the temple.
- What is the Agniswarar temple famous for? The Agniswarar Temple is famous for its unique Lingam, which is said to be self-manifested and represents the element of fire.
- Best time to visit Agniswarar temple? The best time to visit Agniswarar temple is during the Maha Shivaratri festival.
Tirunallar dharbaranyeswarar temple (Saturn)
This Hindu temple in Pondicherry’s Karaikal area is devoted to Saturn, also known as Shani. The principal deity is Lord Shiva, and the temple is mentioned in 7th-century hymns by Tamil Shaivite poets such as Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandhar.
The worship and puja ceremonies are all centered on the planet Saturn symbol, which was once considered the shrine’s doorkeeper.
- How to reach Tirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar temple? To reach Tirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar temple, one can take a bus to Karaikal, the nearest town, fly to Tiruchirapalli International Airport, or take a train to Karaikal Railway Station, followed by local transportation to the temple.
- What is Tirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar temple famous for? Tirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar temple is famous for being one of the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shani (Saturn) in Hinduism.
- Best time to visit Tirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar temple? The best time to visit Tirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar temple is during the months of November to February when the weather is relatively pleasant.
Tirunageshwaram temple (rahu)
This location is also known as Rahu Stalam, and it is a Hindu temple dedicated to the almighty deity Lord Shiva. This temple, located on the fringes of Tamil Nadu in the Kimbakonam region, is significant to the Hindu group of ardent Shiva believers known as Shaivites.
It is represented by a lingam and worshipped as Naganathar. This deity is referenced in the 7th-century Tamil Shaiva literature Tevaram and is also classified as paadal petra sthalam.
- How to reach Tirunageshwaram temple? To reach Tirunageshwaram temple, take a bus to Kumbakonam, a flight to Trichy, or a train to Thanjavur, and then proceed by local transport to the temple.
- What is Tirunageshwaram temple famous for? Tirunageshwaram temple is famous for its unique shrine dedicated to Rahu, one of the nine celestial bodies in Hindu astrology.
- Best time to visit Tirunageshwaram temple? The best time to visit Tirunageshwaram temple is during the months of October to March.
Naganathaswamy temple (ketu)Â
This temple, located 7 kilometers from Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district, attracts visitors from all over the Indian subcontinent who come to pay devotion to Lord Ketu. This temple is presently a protected monument under the Tamil Nadu government.
The primary idols in the temple shrine are Lord Shiva and his wife Goddess Parvathi. It is the sole temple where Lord Ketu is worshipped in the guise of a human face, but in other temples, he is worshipped in the form of a serpent face.
- How to reach Naganathaswamy temple? To reach Naganathaswamy temple, you can take a bus to Kumbakonam, fly to Tiruchirapalli, or take a train to Mayiladuthurai, followed by local transportation to the temple.
- What is Naganathaswamy temple famous for? The Naganathaswamy Temple is famous for its unique deity, a lingam partially submerged in water, representing Lord Shiva as “Ardhanareeswara,” the androgynous form.
- Best time to visit Naganathaswamy temple? The best time to visit Naganathaswamy Temple is during the Maha Shivaratri festival in February or March.
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In conclusion, Tamil Nadu is home to some of the most ancient and revered Navagraha temples in India. These temples are not only famous for their architectural marvels but also their spiritual significance. Each temple is dedicated to a specific celestial body and offers unique experiences to its visitors.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The Nine Grahas Temples (Navagraham temples) in Tamil Nadu are a collection of nine Hindu temples devoted to one of the nine planetary deities, the Navagraham, located in various locations around the South Indian cities of Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai in Tamil Nadu, India.
The Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu near Kumbakonam were built during the Chola empire. According to Hindu tradition, Sage Kalava suffered from various diseases, including leprosy. He prayed to the Navagrahas, or nine-planet deities. The planets were pleased with his devotion and granted the sage a cure.
The celestial bodies in Hindu astrology are the Sun (Surya), Moon (Chandra), Mars (Mangala), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Brihaspati), Venus (Shukra), Saturn (Shani), Rahu (north node of the Moon), and Ketu (south node of the Moon).
All temples close from 1:15 PM to 4 PM. Travel 28 kilometers to Mayiladuthurai, a 45-minute journey, and finish your lunch. At 2:30 PM, leave for Vaitheeswaran temple- Mars (sevvai) and drive 15 kilometers to Chidambaram. Reach the temple at 3:30 PM or 3:45 PM; it opens at 4:00 PM.