NAVAGRAHA

Aarokyam pradhathu noh dinakara
chandroh yaso nirmalam
bhoodim bhoomisudha sudham sudhanaya
pragnam gurur gowravm kanya
komala vaak vilasa madhulam
mandho mudham saravadha
ragur bhahoopala virodha samanam
ketu kulasyonidham
Planet-------Color---------Gem-----------Gram------------------------Metal
Sun----------Red ---------Ruby ----------Wheat---------------------Bronze
Moon--------White -------Pearl -----------Paddy/Rice-------------Lead
Mars --------Red ---------Coral ----------Bengal Gram - Red Lentil Gram--Copper
Mercury -----Green ------Emerald -------Green Gram --Mercury
Jupiter -------Yellow -----Yellow Sapphire --Indian Yellow Split Peas (split Gram Lentil) Chana Dal--Gold
Venus --------White ------Diamond -------Soya Gram -----Silver
Saturn ------Blue ---------Blue Sapphire --Sesame (Gingili) --Iron & Steel
Rahu --------Black -------Zircon-----------Black Gram --Rocks-Blackstone
Ketu --------Multi-color --Cat's Eye -------Horse gram--Red stones
SUN
Japaakusuma Samkaasham kaashyapeyam Mahadhyuthim !
Tamorim Sarva Paapagni Pranathosmi Divaakaram !!
(I bow down to the Sun god, who is the cause of the day-break, who dispels all darkness, who destrorys all sins, who is matchless in brilliance, who is the son of Kashyapa and who is as red as the Japa Kusuma Flower.)
Mula Mantra
Ōm ghrņi surya aditiyom
Gayatri
Asva dhvajaya vidmahe pasa hastaya dhimahi
Tanno surya pracodayat
(The sun is resplendent in brilliance (Mahadyuti). He is as red as the (Japakusuma) red hibiscus flower. The Sun is the dispeller of darkness (Tamorim) external and internal. He is the invigorator and inspirer of intelligence. Sin is said to be the agitation and worry that nags the mind as a result of an action done against the dignity of one’s own self. Surya gives light and knowledge and burn down the results of wrong acts. Hence he is called Sarvapapagnam. He is also known as the lord of the day (Divakaram).
Known as Aditya, he is the eldest son of Kasyapa. He is the life-giving force. It is He who supports all life by his rays of light and energy. He is the dynamic principle behind all colors, tints and hues. When he rises in the sky He is blood red in complexion and dispels all darkness. Those who worship Him find their inertia and torpor getting destroyed.
Surya is said to be inviolable, imperishable and eternal. He represents eternity in the midst of changes, and also the indivisible principle in the midst of disintegrating worlds.
Surya must always be placed in the center of the planets, facing east, with the other Grahas fixed round him. His chariot has one wheel, is drawn by seven horses and has Aruna as the charioteer. )
2. Chandra
Dadhishamkha Trrisharambham ksheero Daarnava Sambhavam !
Namaami Shashinam somam shambormukuta bhooshanam !!
(I bow down to the Moon whose hue resembles the hue of curds, a conch and the color of snow. I bow down to thw one who sprang out from the milky ocean (at the time of the churning) I bow down to one who beautifies and adorns the crest of Siva, and who is of the form of nectar.)
Mula Mantra
Ōm Śrīm Hrīm ham cam candrāya namah:
Gayatri
Padmadhvajāya vidmahe hemarūpāya dhīmahi
Tanno sōma pracodayāt
(Puranas claim that Chandra is the son of Atri and Anusuya. He is sometimes said to be the son of Dharma. He sprang from the milky ocean when it was churned by the Gods and Asuras. Chandra is the guardian of the sacrifices, penances and asterisms. He is said to be the sole Lord of the Herbal kingdom. It is the Moon that gives to matter the principle of fermentation. The Purusha Sukta mentions Chandra as having come out of the mind of the primeval Purusha. Chandra has the power of heal all diseases. Chandra has medicinal powers. Several ayurvedic medicines are exposed to the Moon in the nights to give a greater potency to them. Grains exposed to the Moon when sown and grown give a grater yield. He also has a closed connection to the human mind.
Chandra is said to have wed the twenty seven daughters of Rishi Daksha. The twenty seven daughters are the twenty seven lunar asterisms in the Hindu pantheon. Story goes that Chandra’s attention to Rohini, one of the twenty seven, was so much that the remaining daughters complained to Daksha, who in turn cursed Chandra. On appeal of the daughters the curse was modified. Chandra is said to have performed the Rajasuya sacrificed and became powerful. The chariot of Chandra has three wheels and is drawn by ten horses which represent the ten sense organs.)
3. Kuja (Mangala)
Dharaneegarbha Sambootham Vidhyath Kaanthi Sama prabham !
Kumaaram Shaktihastham cha mangalam Pranamaamyaham !!
(I bow down to Angaraha, who does good to all, who is the earth, who has the effulgence of lighting, who is ever youthful, and who yields both power and energy with him.)
Múla Mantra
Aim hmoum srim dram gam grahadhipataye bhoumatya swah
Gāyatri
VīradhvajAya Vidmahe Vighnahastāya dhīmahi
Tanno bhouma pracōdayat
(Angaraka, otherwise known as Mangala, is also known as Karthikeya, the God of war. He is the son of Siva and Earth. As the son of the Earth he is called Angaraka, Bhauma and Bhumiputra. He is also known as Gananolmukha (Torch of the sky). Mangala is red in colour (Lohita). He is the manifestation of the powers of spying. Hence he is called Chara. He is also said to be the patron of debtors (Rinantaka). Though he is born of the Earth he is the one who constantly vitalizes the Earth charging it from time to time. His intelligence and sagacity are of very high order. Mangala always brings auspiciousness. Siva's essence of effulgence was cast into the fire and it was afterward received by the Ganges. the resulting outcome was Karthikeya. He has six heads, hence known as Shanmukha. He is the leader of the Siddhas and is also the commander of the forces of the gods. It is also said that astrology originated from Him. )
4. Budha
Priyam gukalikaashyaamam Rupenaam prathimam budham !
Saumyam Saumya gunor petham tham Budham pranamaamyaham !!
(I bow down to Budha who is dark and black like the black tulip, matchess in form and appearance, exraordinari;y inteligent and wise, being the son of Soma and endowed with sweet and pleasing auspicious qualities. )
Múla Mantra
Ōm Hrīm krom aim grhanāthāya budhāya svāhā
Gāyatri
Gaadhvajāya Vidmahe śūka hasthāya dhīmahi
Tanno budha pracōdayāt
(Budha is the Lord of intense heat. He is engulfed by the light of Surya as he is very close to the Sun. He shines forth like a diamond. The planet Budha is seen early in the morning and late in the evenings in the lower sky, in the east and the west. His Father is Chandra and Mother Tara. He has attained his status only after undergoing a lot of austerities. He has the star Avitam as his birth star. His chariot has four horses yoked to it. He married Ilai the daughter of Manu and became the father of the Pururavas. He is also said to be the Lord of the fifth canto of the Rig Veda. He is the Lord of wisdom granting intelligence, presence of mind and wit to his devotees. He has a very enchanting form and is almost a black beauty. Legend goes that his beauty made both Soma and Brihaspathi claim him as their son. )
5. Guru
Devaanaam cha Hrisheenaam cha gurum kanchana Sannibham
Budhibhootham trilokesham tham namaami Brihaspatheem !!
(I bow down to Brihaspathi who is the teacher of Gods and Sages,
who is resplendent and lustrous as burnished gold, who is endowed with
a lot of wisdom and who is the lord of the three worlds. )
Múla Mantra
Ōm Hrīm Śrīm Blīm āim Gloum Grhādhipataye brhaspataye vim ta aim ta swahā
Gāyatri
Vrşabhadhvajāya vidmahe dhanur hastāya dhīmahi
Tanno guru pracōdadayāt
(Brihaspathi is one of the greatest teachers. Being Jupiter he is the biggest planet in the solar system. He is known as the lord of speech. He is also known as Anirnishacharya. In the divine community he is considered to be the high priest. He is the Father of all the gods. Endowed with the lustre of gold he has a thundering voice. Ever interested is He in cherishing ethics, moral codesand values. Hence he is called Nitighosha. His chariot is drawn by eight pale horses. The eight manifestations in prakriti serve him constantly. He is the son of Rishi Angira. His wife is called Tara. Vyasa is said to be an aspect of Guru. He is the Lord of consciousness and awareness. He is also to Lord of prayer and devotion. Piety and religion are personified in him. He is also the God of wisdom and eloquence. )
6. Sukra [Venus]
Himakundha Mrinaalabham Daithyaanam Paramam gurum !
Sarvashaasthra pravatkaaram Bhaargavam pranamaamyaham !!
(I bow down to Sukra otherwise called Bhargava who is as white and fair complexioned as the snow, who is the supreme teacher of the Daiyas who are enemies of the Gods, and who is know ledged of all the scriptures.)
Múla Mantra
Ōm Aim Kam Grheśvarāya śukrāya namah:
Gāyatri
Aśva dhvajāya vidmahe dhanur hastāya dhīmahi
Tanno śukra pracōdayāt
(Sukra is the sun of Bhrigu and the official priests, advisor and counselor of Bali and the Daityas, the titans. Sukra's wife is Susama otherwise known as Sataparwa. Sukra's daughter is Devayani who married Yayati. Sukra is the author of the code of laws. He performed a painful sacrifice imbibing the smoke of chaff for a thousand years. This He did to please Lord Siva and obtain there by to grace of Siva for the protection of the Asuras. Legend goes Sukra has attained a lot of spiritual powers, powerful enough to regenerate life. He is married to Jayanthi, the daughter of Indra. Sukra the planet has sixteen rays emitting forth. Sukra is known for his wisdom, presence of mind, brilliance and extraordinary wit.)
7. Sani
Neelaamjana Samaabhaasam Raviputhram yamaagrajam !
Chchaaya maarthanda sambootham tham namaami shanaishwaram !!
(I bow to Sani, as black as the black collyirum, who is the son of the Sun and the brother of Yama and born to Surya through Chaya, and moves very slowly.)
Múla Mantra
Ōm Hrīm Śrīm Grha cakravarttineśnaicarāya Klīm Aim Souh swāhā
Gāyatri
Kākadhvajāya vidmahe khadga hastāya dhīmahe
Tanno manda pracōdayāt
(Sani is represented as a black entity in black gannents. He is also said to be the son of Lord Balarama and Revathi. His rays bring bad luck, difficulty, adversity and disaster. His influence is evil. He has several names. Some of them are Kona, Krodha or Saura. In motion he is slow and lethargic. Being seven rayed in nature he moves freely in all seven planes of consciousness. While on exit he endows all with unimaginable prosperity. There is none in the human and heavenly kingdom who has not come under his influence. )
8. Rahu
Ardhakaayam mahaveeryam chandraadhitya vimardanam !
Simhikagarbha Sambootham tham Rahum pranamaamyaham !!
(I bow down to Rahu who is semibodied, who is endowed with a lot of powers, who troubles fiercely the Sun and the Moon and who comes from the womb of Simhika)
Múla Mantra
Ōm Krīm Hum Hum Tam Tańkadhārińe rāhave Ram Hrīm Śrīm Paim swāhā
Gāyatri
Nakhadhvajāya vidmahe padma hastāya dhīmahi
Tanno rāhu pracōdayāt
(Rahu is the ascending node in astronomy. He is the cause of all eclipses and shines as the King of meteors He is the guardian of the southwest quarter. His father is Viprachitti and Simhika. He has four arms and his lower part ends in a tail. As a lover of mischief he causes a lot of mischief. He disguised himself and had a sip of the immortal nectar during the churning of the ocean. lhe legend goes that Vishnu cut his head off due to this. His chariot is drawn by eight black horses. He is called 'Abra Pisacha', the Demon of the Sky. He is also called Kabandha or Bharani-bhu. )
9. Ketu
Palaasha pushpa samkaasham Tarakaagriha mastakam !
Raudram Raudraatmakam ghoram tham ketum pranamaamyaham !!
(I bow doen to Ketu who is as red as the Palasa-blossom, who has his head the starts and plants, who is exteremly wrathful, who is the son of Rudra and who is terrible in form. )
Múla Mantra
Ōm Hrīm Krūm Krūra rūpine ketave Aim Souh swāhā
Gāyatri
Aśvadhvajāya vidmahe sūla hastāya dhīmahi
Tanno ketu pracōdayāt
(Rahu's tail became Ketu when the former's head was cut off by Vishnu. He is the descending node in Astronomy. he is a comet and is the ninth of the Navagrahas. He is the lord of stellar constellations. He is a danava and is the son of Viprachitti and Simhika. He is called 'Akacha' also called Ashlesha Bhava)
Graha ---------planets -----facing
Surya--------Sun----------East
Soma (or Chandra)Moon---West
Mangal (or Bhauma)-Mars-South
Budha----Mercury---------East
Brihaspati (or Guru)-Jupiter--North
Shukra-----Venus---------East
Shani---Saturn----West
Rahu-----South
Ketu------South
Nine temples, which are famous for each of the Navagraha are situated around Mayiladuthurai. One can visit all the 9 temples in a day, starting from Mayuram and it has become quite a popular tourist circuit today.
Suriyanar koil - Sun - Suriyan
This is about 20kms west of Mayuram, near Aduthurai. Surya resides with his wives Chaya and Suvarcha in this holy place. With Surya at the centre, temples of the other Grahas are around Surya.
Thingaloor - Moon - Chandiran
This is about 40 kms west of Mayuram, near thiruvaiyaru. Mentally disturbed people come here to get cure get rid of their sorrows and sufferings.
Vaidheeswaran Koil - Mars - Angarakan
This temple is 12 kms north-east of Mayuram, on the way to Chidambaram. This town is also called as Pull-irukku-Veloor. Jadayu - the eagle who made a gallant attempt to stop Ravana from proceeding to Lanka with Sita, got relieved of his wings by Ravana, fell down here and eventually got Moksha. Even today we can see the place where Jadayu was cremated - 'Jadayu Kundam'.
Vaidheeswaran koil is a crowd puller for many reasons along with the Angarakan. Vaidyanadha Swamy ( shiva ) is believed to cure illness of the ardent devotees. Lot of people throng here everyday, offer their prayers for regaining their health with the grace of the deity. Ambal is called Valambika alias Thaiyal Nayaki.
Kiruthigai is an auspicious day here with special poojas performed for SelvaMuthuKumara Swamy ( Murugan ). Nayanmars, Arunagiri Nadar, kumaraguruparar, kalamega pulavar have visited this temple and sung in praise of the deity. Separate sanctorum for Angaraka is a speciality out here as you cannot find it elsewhere.
Thiruvenkadu - Mercury - Budhan
This is about 24 kms east of Mayuram. Lord Shiva resides here in the name of Swetharanyar. This temple is referred in 'Saiva Thirumurais' and Sastras. This place is similar to Kasi with all the Snana Ghats. One can do all the karmas here, that is supposed to be done in kasi. We can find a separate sanctum sanctorum for bhudan. Bhudan holds the portfolio of Education and Arts and it is the next popular place students prefer to go after Tuition centers.
Alangudi - Jupiter - Guru
This is about 40 kms from Mayuram near Needamangalam. The speciality here is that Lord Guru is engraved on the wall and is not in the form of separate idol.
Kanjanur - Venus - Sukran
Kanjanur is near Suriyanarkoil. People come here for getting the blessings of Sukran, to get themselves 'Sukra Dasa', who is believed to get them wealth.
Thirunallaru - Saturn - Shani
This is the most sought Navagraham, which is about 30 kms east of Mayuram on the way to Thiruvarur. There is a separate sanctum sanctoram for Lord Shani. This is the place where Shani left from the body of Nala Maharaja. This is one of the 'Sapta Vidanga Kshetras' ( where Musukunda Chakravarthy installed the deity of Thyagaraja ). It is believed that holy dip in the tank ( Nala Theertham ) will help people to escape from the woes of Sani.
Thirunageswaram - Ragu
This is about 30 kms from Mayuram , near Kumbakonam. The main deity's name is Nageshwarar and Ambal's name is Girigujambikai. She is decorated as a small girl in the Mornings, as young lady in Noons and as lady in evenings. Thirunageswaram is referenced in Lalitha Sahasranamam. Here Ragu resides with his wife and everyday, during Ragu kalam, when Milk is poured over Ragu idol, it miraculously changes to blue colour. People having Ragu dosha come here during Ragu kalam and perform Abishekas.
Keezhaperumpallam - Kethu
This temple is about 20 kms from Mayuram, near Thiruvenkadu. Here there is a separate sanctum sanctorum for Kedhu. Those who are affected by Kedhu dosha come here for rectification