Traditional Rituals and Offerings at Each Navagraha Temple
The Navagraha temples near Kumbakonam are a sacred collection of nine temples in Tamil Nadu, each dedicated to one of the nine celestial bodies (Navagrahas) in Hindu astrology. Devotees believe that these planetary deities influence our destiny, and by offering prayers at their respective temples, one can alleviate doshas (planetary afflictions) and receive divine blessings for health, career, relationships, and prosperity.
Each Navagraha temple has unique rituals, poojas, offerings, and temple customs specific to the associated planet. This article offers a detailed guide to the traditional rituals and offerings at each Navagraha temple, helping you plan your visit and perform worship meaningfully. Kumbakonam Local Tours
Traditional Rituals and Offerings at Each Navagraha Temple
1. Suriyanar Koil – Sun God (Surya)
Location: Near Aduthurai, Kumbakonam
Significance: Surya is the source of life and energy. Worshipping Surya is believed to bring good health, fame, and success.
Rituals & Offerings:
Surya Namaskaram (Sun Salutation): Many devotees begin the day with this ritual outside the temple.
Offering: Red cloth, wheat, red flowers, and jaggery rice.
Special Pooja: Navagraha Homam and Aditya Hridaya Parayanam (chanting of sacred verses) are performed to reduce Surya dosha.
Day to Visit: Sundays are considered most auspicious.
2. Thingalur – Moon God (Chandra)
Location: Near Papanasam, Thanjavur District
Significance: Chandra governs the mind, emotions, and maternal aspects. Worship brings mental peace, emotional strength, and relief from stress.
Rituals & Offerings:
Offering: White cloth, rice with milk and sugar, white flowers.
Special Pooja: Chandra Graha Shanti Pooja to calm mental agitation and emotional imbalance.
Unique Ritual: Feeding curd rice to the poor is a recommended remedy.
Day to Visit: Mondays.
3. Vaitheeswaran Koil – Mars (Angaraka)
Location: Near Sirkazhi
Significance: Mars governs strength, courage, and blood health. It is also associated with Mangal dosha in marriage horoscopes.
Rituals & Offerings:
Offering: Red cloth, lentils (toor dal), red sandal, and betel leaves.
Special Pooja: Angaraka Pooja and Mangal dosha nivarana rituals are performed by temple priests.
Unique Ritual: Offering salt and pepper in small packets to the temple tank for healing.
Day to Visit: Tuesdays.
4. Thiruvenkadu – Mercury (Budha)
Location: Near Mayiladuthurai
Significance: Budha is the planet of intelligence, education, speech, and communication.
Rituals & Offerings:
Offering: Green gram (moong dal), green cloth, and green bangles.
Special Pooja: Budha Graha Shanti and Abhishekam with tender coconut water.
Unique Feature: The temple has a Shiva in his cosmic dancing form (Agora Murthi), which is rare.
Day to Visit: Wednesdays.
5. Alangudi – Jupiter (Guru)
Location: Near Kumbakonam
Significance: Jupiter represents wisdom, prosperity, children, and education. Worshipping Guru is essential for marriage, childbirth, and career progress.
Rituals & Offerings:
Offering: Yellow cloth, chana dal (Bengal gram), bananas, turmeric.
Special Pooja: Guru Peyarchi Homam, Archanai, and Lighting ghee lamps.
Unique Ritual: Offering yellow flowers to Dakshinamurthy, the presiding deity.
Day to Visit: Thursdays.
6. Kanjanoor – Venus (Sukra)
Location: Near Suriyanar Koil
Significance: Sukra governs love, art, beauty, relationships, and material pleasures. Worship is beneficial for resolving love-related or marital issues.
Rituals & Offerings:
Offering: White cloth, rice mixed with jaggery, white flowers.
Special Pooja: Sukra Graha Shanti and Abhishekam with honey and sugarcane juice.
Unique Feature: The main deity here is Agneeswarar (Shiva); Sukra is believed to be enshrined within the Shiva Linga itself.
Day to Visit: Fridays.
7. Thirunallar – Saturn (Shani)
Location: Near Karaikal
Significance: Shani is the lord of karma and discipline. Worship at this temple helps relieve Sade Sati, Shani dosha, and delays in life.
Rituals & Offerings:
Offering: Black sesame seeds, black cloth, til oil, and gingelly oil lamps.
Special Pooja: Shani Peyarchi Homam, Til Abhishekam, and Lighting oil lamps with sesame oil.
Unique Ritual: Bathing in Nala Theertham (temple tank) before entering the temple is believed to cleanse sins.
Day to Visit: Saturdays.
8. Thirunageswaram – Rahu
Location: Near Kumbakonam
Significance: Rahu is a shadow planet associated with illusion, obsession, and ambition. Worshipping Rahu removes Rahu dosha, mental anxiety, and career blocks.
Rituals & Offerings:
Offering: Blue cloth, black grams, and blue flowers.
Special Pooja: Rahu Kalam Archana and Milk Abhishekam—uniquely, the milk poured over the idol changes color!
Unique Feature: Temple is also known for Rahu-Kethu Pooja performed during Rahu Kalam.
Day to Visit: Sundays and during Rahu Kalam timings.
9. Keezhaperumpallam – Ketu
Location: Near Poompuhar
Significance: Ketu is linked with spirituality, detachment, and moksha. It also governs past life karma.
Rituals & Offerings:
Offering: Red cloth, horse gram, and red flowers.
Special Pooja: Ketu Graha Shanti, Archana during Ketu Kalam, and lighting lamps with mustard oil.
Unique Ritual: Donation of items to the poor is believed to please Ketu.
Day to Visit: Tuesdays and during Ketu Kalam.
General Tips for Performing Navagraha Rituals
Consult a priest or astrologer before your tour to know which planetary remedy suits your horoscope.
Many temples offer parihara pujas (remedial rituals). You can book these in advance.
Offering nine types of grains (Navadhanya) at Navagraha temples is a traditional practice.
Lighting a ghee or oil lamp, offering flowers, and circumambulating the Navagraha idols three times is a common ritual format.
Donating clothes, food, or money to the poor after temple visits is believed to multiply the blessings.
The Role of Mantras and Homams
Alongside physical offerings, chanting specific mantras and performing Homams (fire rituals) amplify the benefits of the Navagraha visit. Here are the most commonly used mantras:
Surya: “Om Suryaya Namah” – for vitality and success
Chandra: “Om Chandraya Namah” – for peace and emotional strength
Angaraka: “Om Bhaumaya Namah” – for courage and marriage harmony
Budha: “Om Budhaya Namah” – for intelligence and speech
Guru: “Om Gurave Namah” – for wisdom and family blessings
Shukra: “Om Shukraya Namah” – for love and wealth
Shani: “Om Shanicharaya Namah” – for patience and karmic relief
Rahu: “Om Rahave Namah” – for ambition and mental clarity
Ketu: “Om Ketave Namah” – for spiritual growth and moksha
Most temples have designated priests who can perform Navagraha Homam, Navagraha Archana, or individual Graha Shanti Poojas on behalf of devotees. These rituals can be done on specific weekdays, during Graha transitions, or after analyzing one’s horoscope.
Conclusion
Each of the Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu holds unique rituals and powerful symbolism. Performing the right poojas and offerings as per tradition enhances the spiritual merit of your pilgrimage and strengthens your connection with the cosmic energies.
Whether you’re seeking astrological relief, spiritual growth, or divine blessings for your family, visiting these temples with devotion and proper rituals brings peace, prosperity, and inner transformation. By understanding and respecting the traditional offerings at each Navagraha temple, your pilgrimage becomes not only sacred but also deeply fulfilling.