Navagraha Shetras
Suriyanar Kovil (Sun)
This temple is close to Aduthurai and 15 km from Kumbakonam. Among the planets, Sun occupies the prime position. That is why the first day of the week is named Sunday. The seven planets including Saturn form the seven days of the week. The eighth planet is called Rahu. is allotted 10 1/2 hours in seven days of the week. On each day 1-1/2 hours is allotted for Rahu. This one and a half hour is known as Rahu Kalam. The nineth planet is known as Ketu. For Ketu also the same is allotted. This one and a half hours is known as Yama gandam Both Rahu's Time and Ketu's time are considered inauspicious time.
Thingaloor (Moon)
Thingaloor is one of the Saivite holy places in Tamil Nadu. Thingal means Moon (Also Known as Chandran). At this temple only the southern entrance is used. On the left of the temple is Lord Kailasanathar and in the opposite side is Goddess Periyanayaki. Around the outer corridor we can have darshan of Lord Dhakshinamoorthy and in the eastern side is Chandra Baghawan (Moon) is one of the benevolent planets among the nine planets. Lord Shiva has three eyes and Moon is considered the left eye of the Lord. Moon is known for her soft nature and is an integral part of Goddess Parasakthi. Monday is the main day for offering prayers. The adverse effect of Moon manifests them in loss of mental peace. Ill health, possibility loss of life in water, fear etc. By worshiping Moon it is believed that one can get relief from these adverse effects. Those who worship Moon are blessed with her favourable effect such as comfortable wealth, good health, Mother's welfare and auspicious events in the whole family of devotees.
Vaitheeswaran Kovil (Mars)
Mars at Vaitheeswaran Koil. Mars faces the south, and Lord Dhandayuthapani is in the east facing Mars. Mars showers on his devotees benefits such as good harvest in the fields, good income and save his devotees from sufferings. He enhances the respectability and dignity of those who worship him. He also helps his devotees to come out of financial indebtedness. Mars is worshiped on Tuesdays by offering red flowers.
Thiruvenkadu (Budhan - Mercury)
Among the nine planets, Budhan Bhagawan worshipped in Thiruvenkadu Temple will give bliss. Mercury protects Shiva Bakthas and literary persons. He is green in complexion, soft in nature. He bestows Lord Shiva devotees with the knowledge in Astrology, Sculpture, and Medical treatment of paralysis. He also grants power of expression and success in education, literary pursuits, fame in fine arts, and profession and good relations with scholars, Wednesday is the ideal day to worship him offering green coloured items and he likes white kanthal. Evil effects by Mercury are usually failure in business, set back in profession, lack of mental calibre, frequent transfers and getting caught in disputes.
Alangudi (Jupiter)
In Alangudi, Guru is worshiped as Sri Dhakshinamurthy. Lord Shiva as Aabath Sahayar and Goddess Parvathi known as Aelavarkuzhali, are the main deities here. When one visit Guru they should offer 24 ghee or oil lamps and also 24 pradakshanams. He is the Guru of the Devas, and it is believed that with Guru's grace, even an illiterate person can become a great scholar. The good effect of Guru came in the form of success in life, prosperity and good events like marriages. Guru is the prime benevolent planet among Nine Planets. Thursday is the preferred day for worshipping Guru Bhagawan. Wearing yellow clothes, giving away yellow clothes as charity, observing fast on Thursdays are the ways of worshipping Guru, for propitiation and getting relief from adverse effect of Guru, such as illness and financial difficulties. The choicest flower for Guru is White Jasmine.
Kanchanoor (Venus - Sukran)
Kanjanoor is the holy abode for Sukra Bhagawan. Kanchanoor is in Thanjavur District, which is two km. away from Suriyanar Kovil near Aduthurai. Those who worship Venus will be bestowed with happy marriage and prosperity. The main deity here is Sri Agnipuriswarar. Venus showers on her devotees many blessings such as health, happiness, comfortable life and wealth. The ill effects of Sukra Dasa may lead to betrayal by women. One may suffer from venereal disease. By worshiping Venus, one can obtain propitiation from Sukra Dosha (adverse effect) To get rid of evil effects in one’s life Venus has to be worshipped on Fridays. She loves to be decorated with white.
Thirunallaru (Saneeswarar)
Saturn temple, Sri Dharparanyeshwarar's temple is in Thirunallaru, 45 km from Kumbakonam. The presiding deity is Dharbaranyeswarar(Lord Siva) and is believed to have been made of dharba grass. The worship is also centered around the icon of planet saturn, called Saniswarar, originally treated as the door keeper of the shrine. According to Hinduism, saturn resides in each rasi(zodiac) for two and half years. The tradition is to worship Saniswarar before entering the inner sanctum of Lord Shiva.
This temple has many holy tanks and one of it is Nala theertham that is considered most sacred. King Nala took bath in this Tank and got rid of adverse and evil effects. It is strongly believed that a bath or sprinkling water from the tank over the head with total devotion will help get rid of adverse inflictions of evils and sorrow. Saturdays are the most appropriate days for worshipping Sri Sani Bhagawan.
Keela Perumpallam (Kethu)
It is located at Keezhaperumpallam about 20 Km from Sirkazhi Here, there is a Temple for Naganatha Swamy. In the temple there is a separate sannidhi for Ketu. Here Ketu is facing west. Evil effects of Ketu will create obstacles in one's endeavors, enemy and ill health. Good effects of Ketu will improve financial position, good health, mental peace and happiness. Worshipping and fasting on Tuesdays will relieve the ill effects to a great extend. The ideal day of worship for Ketu is Tuesdays.
