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Navagraha-Sthalas is one of the famous religious centres situated in the Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Navagraha-Sthalas refers to the place of 9 planets, where Nava stands for nine, Graha for planet and Sthala for place. The region is known for its religious shrines that are named after nine planets. All these shrines are located close to each other in an arrangement at Kumbakonam town.
These temples are dedicated to nine celestial bodies featuring the sun, the moon, the planets and the two shadow planets (Rahu and Ketu). Most of these temples have been constructed between 500 and 1000 A.D.
Suryanaar Koyil Temple, built in the 12th century, is the most recent addition to the circuit of Navagraha Temples. It is believed that these shrines dedicated to heavenly bodies have a significant implication on astrological calculations.
Navagraha-Sthalas has a rich cultural heritage and hosts various festivals throughout the year. Among the notable festivals celebrated here are Deepawali, Makara Pongal and Aadi Bhramotsavam. Tourists also visit Navagraha-Sthalas to understand and study astrological mythology.
Tourists have to reach Kumbakonam to explore this religious centre of Tamil Nadu. The township of Kumbakonam does not have an airport as well as railhead. Trichy International Airport, at a distance of 58 km, is the closest airport.
Aduturai is the closest railway station but has limited services. Trichy Railway Junction is the major railhead of the destination, lying on the Trivandrum – Chennai railway line. Moreover, there are frequent bus operations of Tamil Nadu Road Transport Corporation to Kumbakonam.
The climatic conditions are pleasant during October to March, which is the best time to visit Navagraha-Sthalas. In this period, the temperature ranges from 20° Celsius to 30° Celsius.
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Sightseeing around Navagraha Sthalas are mostly temples dedicated to the nine celestial bodies revered in Hinduism. Most of the temples here are located on the banks of River Cauvery.
The first temple is that of Alangudi, which is also known by the name of Gurusthal. This temple is dedicated to planet Jupiter and devotees coming here, believe that offering prayers to the Lord Guru, will help in decreasing his ill-effects on their life. Almost all the temples present here have shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is the main deity in most of these temples.
The Kanjanoor temple, located on the northern bank of River Cauvery, is the temple dedicated to planet Venus. Venus is represented by the idol of Lord Agneeswara, who is Lord Shiva himself. Near to this temple is the Thiruvengadu Temple, which is dedicated to Adi Chidambaram, that is Mercury, represented by an idol with four arms.
The Thingaloor temple, is dedicated to the Moon and is quite close to the temple dedicated to the Sun or the Suryanar Koil. Other smaller temples present within this shrine include those dedicated to Lord Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha.
One of the most popular temples located in the southern part of India, is the Vaitheeswaran Koil temple, which is dedicated to planet Mars. Located in proximity to the town of Myladuthurai, this temple is vast and covers a total land of about 10.7 acres.
Near the town of Karaikal in Pondicherry, is the temple of Thirunallar and the main deity present in the temple is said to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva by the name of Dharbaranayeswara Swami. The temple, however, is dedicated to planet Saturn.
Suriyanar Koil is the temple dedicated to the Sun and has a unique structure, comprised of small idols representing all the nine planets surrounding the sun. The temple dedicated to Rahu is the Thirunageshwaram Temple and the idol of the god, as depicted in most of Hindu imagery, is in the form of a snake.
Keezhperumpallam temple is the one dedicated to a phase of Moon, also known by the name of Kethu. Kethu is also considered as one of the nine planets of the solar system, as per the Hindu mythology. The Kanchanur temple is the one dedicated to Shukra and special poojas are held here to please him.
The Budha Temple is dedicated to the bestower of knowledge, Mercury. Special poojas are held every Wednesday to please the god. Temple of other Hindu gods like Shiva and Ganesha are also present within the temple.
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