12/7/2010 Navagraha temples - Wikipedia, the fre…

Navagraha temples
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Navagraha temples are temples devoted to Navagraha - the nine (nava) major celestial bodies (Grahas) of Hindu
astronomy. These celestial bodies are named Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Chevvaai/Mangal (Mars), Budhan
(Mercury), Guru/Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South
Lunar Node). Many temples in South India contain a shrine dedicated to the Navagrahas. However, the term
Navagraha temples refers to a cluster of nine separate temples, each an abode of one of the Navagrahams.

Contents
1 Navagraha Temple in Assam
2 Navagraha Temples in Maharashtra
3 Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu
4 External links

Navagraha Temple in Assam

The Navagraha Temple is found on the top of Chitrasal Hill (or Navagraha Hill), in Guwahati city, Assam.
Enshrined in this temple are nine Shivalingams, representing the nine Celestial bodies, each covered with a colored
garment symbolic of each of the celestial bodies, with a Shivaligam in the centre symbolising the Sun. The
Navagraha temple was built by the Ahom king Rajeswar Singha (1751–1769), son of Rudra Singha or
Sukhrungphaa in late 18th century. It had been renovated in the modern times in the late 70's and 80's.

Navagraha Temples in Maharashtra

In Kasba Peth (central Pune), there is a major Navagraha temple behind Shaniwar Wada, which is also specifically
devoted to Shani. There is also a Navagraha Maruti temple in Balaji Nagar.

Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu

There is a cluster of Navagraha Temples dating from the Chola dynasty near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. 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.

Surya Navagrahastalam -- Tirumangalakkudi or Sooriyanar Kovil[1]

(http://www.pondyonline.com/user/NavagrahaTemples/Sun.aspx)
Chandra Navagrahastalam -- Tingaloor[2] (http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/Navagraha/tingalur.html)
[3] (http://www.pondyonline.com/user/NavagrahaTemples/Moon.aspx)
Angaarakan Navagrahastalam -- Puttirukku Velur or Vaitheeswaran Kovil [4]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navagraha_temples 1/2
12/7/2010 Navagraha temples - Wikipedia, the fre…
(http://www.pondyonline.com/user/NavagrahaTemples/Mars.aspx)
Budha Navagrahastalam -- Thiruvenkaadu[5]
(http://www.pondyonline.com/user/NavagrahaTemples/Mercury.aspx)
Guru Navagrahastalam -- Aalangudi[6] (http://www.pondyonline.com/user/NavagrahaTemples/Jupiter.aspx)
Sukra Navagrahastalam -- Kanjanoor[7]
(http://www.pondyonline.com/user/NavagrahaTemples/Venus.aspx)
Shani Navagrahastalam -- Tirunallar[8] (http://www.pondyonline.com/user/NavagrahaTemples/Saturn.aspx)
Raahu Navagrahastalam -- Tirunageswaram[9]
(http://www.pondyonline.com/user/NavagrahaTemples/Rahu.aspx)
Ketu Navagrahastalam -- Keezhperumpallam[10]
(http://www.pondyonline.com/user/NavagrahaTemples/Kethu.aspx)

External links
Navagraha Temples in Assam (http://www.templenet.com/Assam/navagraha.html)
Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu (http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/Navagraha/navagraha.html)
Navagraha Temple Route Map in Tamil Nadu & Other Information from Sasikumar
(http://www.worldisround.com/articles/346618/index.html)
Navagraha Temple on Google Maps - Virtual Darshan of Navagraha Sthalam
(http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?
msa=0&msid=100721200960607481466.000459a3645812fe8df99&cd=3&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=10)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navagraha_temples"
Categories: Hindu temples by deity | Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu | Graha

This page was last modified on 17 November 2010 at 17:59.

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