The Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu are a cluster of Navagraha Temples dating from the Chola dynasty near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. As per Hindu 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 Vellurukku 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, the majority of 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 C.E. The other temples were built earlier, ranging back to 7th-9th century.[1
- Surya Navagrahastalam -- Sooriyanar Kovil
- Chandra Navagrahastalam -- Thingaloor
- Angaarakan Navagrahastalam -- Vaitheeswaran Kovil
- Budha Navagrahastalam -- Thiruvenkadu
- Guru Navagrahastalam -- Alangudi
- Sukra Navagrahastalam -- Kanjanur
- Shani Navagrahastalam -- Thirunallar
- Raahu Navagrahastalam -- Thirunageswaram
- Ketu Navagrahastalam -- Keezhperumpallam
It was a sudden plan proposed by Rajith to visit the nine temples. The Diwali holidays were starting next week. We chose the Amavasya day - 10/30 for the visit.
Rajith did all the booking online. KSRTC bus to reach Kumbakonam. From there a swift Dezire taxi to take us to all nine temples. And night back to bangalore by red bus.
As per Rajith's advise , I got my current Griha status checked. This was done so that we can do the necessary Pooja's at each temple.
10/29 - 2130Hrs - From Shantinagar bus stand we departed to Kumbakonam.
10/30 - 0530Hrs- We reached Kumbakonam. The cab was waiting for us. Driver took us to a nearby lodge where we were scheduled to freshen up. It was an old SATRAM setup, with big hall and few toilets and bathrooms. We freshened up fast and rushed to visit the temples. The lodge guy charged us RS 40 each for using their facility. Below is the sequence of the temple we visited. We had a quick breakfast after Budhan temple. We finished 8 temple visits by 1300Hrs. 1350 Hrs is the closing time for Kedhu temple.
After kedhu temple we moved towards Karaikal Saneesvara temple. On the way we had our lunch. We went to a hotel called Sri Kandans. The food was not good. Very much rush. later we came to know that there are other good hotels in the bus stand as well.
Chandran temple, Thingaloor
Alangudi Guru(Jupiter) Temple, Alangudi
Thirunagrshwaram (Rahu) Temple
Suriyanar Kovil Suriyan (Sun) Temple
Kanjanoor Sukran
Vaitheeswaran Kovil
Budhan Temple
Sri Arulmigu Naganadha Temple - kedhu, Keelaperumpallam
Sri Saneesvar Temple, Thirunallar, Karaikal
Finished all the temple visits by 1630Hrs. The driver dropped us to the SRM bus booking office. We paid him RS 3400 for the complete trip all inclusive. Our bus was scheduled to arrive at 1945Hrs. Went to the beach at Karaikal , 5Km away. Had our dinner at Seagulls Restaurant and Bar. Boarded up the bus by 1930Hrs.
10/31 - 0530Hrs - Reached back Bangalore.
