The term Navagraha is derived from Sanskrit, Nava (nine) and Graha (planet) means seizing, laying hold of, holding as per Jyotisha. Navagraha are nine heavenly bodies as well as, deities that influence life of human folks on the earth in Hinduism and Hindu astrology.
Origin
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 12thCentury. The other temples were built earlier, ranging back to 7th Century.
S. No. | Navagraha Name | Descriptions |
---|---|---|
1 | Surya | The Sun or Ravi |
2 | Chandra | The Moon |
3 | Mangala | Mars |
4 | Budha | Mercury |
5 | Brahaspati | Jupiter / Guru |
6 | Shukra | Venus |
7 | Shani | Saturn |
8 | Rahu | Shadow body associated with ascending (or North) Lunar node. |
9 | Kethu | Shadow body associated with descending (or South) Lunar node |
According to the Vedas, the planets are the God by which the Law of ‘Karma’ operates. The Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Kethu are called the nine (9) ‘Grahas’. Sanskrit meaning is to grab or ‘to hold’ or ‘seize’. According to the ancient scripture “Bright Parashara Hora Shastra”: Vishnu (God) has incarnated as the Navagrahas (9 planets) bestow on living beings the result of their Karmas or actions. He assumed the auspicious form of Grahas to destroy the strength of the demons (evil forces), to sustain the strength of Devas (the divine beings) and to establish Dharma (Cosmic order or Law). The planets besides their huge physical mass and gravitational forces, are tremendous fields of Subtle and Psychic or spiritual energies and it is at that level that we have to understand their effects. This understanding is the basis of the science of astrology. It is believed that these navagrahas act upon the lives of human beings from the moment he is born to the moment he dies. As per Jyothisha shasthra, they are considered as the reasons behind the good and bad acts, the causes of sufferings, happiness, wealth and prosperity of a human being.
The Positions of Navagraha in Temple Prathishta:
In Agama Prathishta Surya (sun) occupies the central position, Chandra on South-east, Mangal (Mars) on South, Budha on North-east, Brihaspati (Gur) on North, Sukra- on east, Shani- on west, Rahu on south-west and Kethu on North-west.
Navagraha and its colours.
Each Graha is represented by a colour. In Agama Prathishta each one is identified by a colour i.e. each Graha prathishta is covered with different coloured clothes. They are Sun/Surya-(red), Moon/Chandra-(white), Mars or Mangala (crimson red), Mercury/Budha-(cream), Jupiter/Guru-(yellow), Venus/Sukra-(white), Shani/Saturn-(black), Rahu-(ultra violet/blue), and Kethu-(panchavarna).
How can we worship Navagrahas in Temple?
When worship in the Navagrahas on a day other than Saturday just go around them ones. You must go around Rahu and Kethu in anti-clockwise direction. You should never stand opposite Lord Shani while worship him. You must never fold your hand, while going around the Navagrahas.
Navagrahas are nine cosmic objects that are said to have a great effect on the human lives. The Navagraha includes Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budha, Brihaspathi, Sukra and Shani are planets of the Solar system. Chandra is the moon and Rahu and Kethu are the North and South nodes of the Moon. When a child is born, it is a usual practice the exact time of birth is noted.
Generally, people believe that there are 27 stars as per astrology science. Each of the stars having specific period i.e., deshakalam. Hence, a child may be born in the beginning, middle or end of the deshakalam and mend and woman will have to experience the changes of whether positive or negative effects, till the entire life of the child. The specific deshakalam of each star are narrated below:
S.no | Name of Stars | Deshakalam | Period |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Aswathy, Makam, Moolam | Kethur | 7 years |
2 | Bharani, Pooram, Pooradam | Shukra | 20 years |
3 | Karthika, Uthram, Uthiradam | Surya | 6 years |
4 | Rohini, Atham, Thiruvonam | Chandra | 10 years |
5 | Makayiram, Chithira, Avittam | Chovva | 7 years |
6 | Thiruvathira, Chothy, Chathayam | Rahur | 18years |
7 | Punartham, Vishakham, Pooruruttathy | Vyazha | 16years |
8 | Pooyam, Anizham, Uthrittathy | Shani | 19years |
9 | Aayilyam, Thrikketta, Revathy | Budha | 19years |