Navagraha temples day 2

Day 3

Temples Visited during 1st Half of the day :

Guru( Jupiter) – Alangudi to Shani(Saturn) - Tirunallar to- Karikkal (Port City)

2nd Half

Rahu - Thirunageswarm- Darasuram – Local Kumbakonam temples

History /Importance of Guru (Jupiter) - Kanjanur

Guru Temple
Navagraha : Guru (Jupiter)
Deity : Guru Bagwan
Location : Alangudi (Kumbakonam)

Temple's Main entrance

2nd Entrance

Carvings on Gopuram


Temple is located at 19 Kms towards Mannargudi route from Kumbakonam on the way to NeedaMangalam.
The Siva temple at Alangudi near Kumbakonam is the fifth of the Navagraha temple. It is known as the Abatsakayar temple. This place is well known as `Gurusthalam`, where Jupiter (Dakshinamurthi or Guru) is worshipped.

History /Importance of Sani (Saturn) - Thirunallar
Navagraha : Sani (Saturn)
Deity : Sanneswarar
Location : Thirunallar (Karaikal)

Shani Temple Main entrance

Shani Temple Gopuram


Thirunallar is around 65km from Kumbakonam, near the Old French town of Karaikkal.
The main deities in Thirunallar are Dharbaranyeshwarar (Shiva) and Ponmulaiyal (Parvati).
Legend has it that King Nala was relieved of his suffering, after worshiping this shrine. The inscriptions in this temple date back to 12th century AD, and is said to have built during Chola period. Lord Shani is believed to be the most powerful of all the navagrahas. The holy tank in this temple is called Nala theertham or Brahma theertham.

Karaikkal- Beach

Several explanations are offered for the word 'Karaikal'. The imperial Gazetteer gives it the meaning 'fish pass'. According to Julien vinson the town is said to have known as Karaigiri in Sanskrit. However, the name Karaikal is no doubt a combination of two words 'Karai' and 'Kal'. Both the words ‘Karai and 'Kal' have several meanings, of which the more acceptable ones are 'lime mix' and 'canal' respectively. Hence it has been suggested that the name may mean a canal built of lime mix.


History /Importance of Rahu - Thirunallar

Navagraha : Raghu
Deity : Raghu Bagwan
Location : Thirunageswaram (Kumbakonam)

Raahu Temple Main entrance

Temple Gopuram

1st Gopuram of Raahu Temple

Thirunageshwaram is known as the Rahu Sthalam. Lord Rahu, the serpent king, can be seen along with his two consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni in this temple. The main deities are Naganathaswamy (Shiva) and Girigujambigai (Parvati). The holy tank of this temple is Surya pushkarani. Though Rahu is usually associated with ill effects, he also bestows good financial and social status. When milk is poured over the idol of Rahu, it miraculously turns into blue color denoting snake's poison. Pujas on Sundays, and milk abhishekam during Rahu Kaal are considered to be auspicious.

Rahu and Ketu do not have any physical or celestial bodies like the other planets. Of the two places where the Moon crosses the ecliptic (the path of the Sun), the north point is called Rahu and the corresponding South point which is exactly 180 degrees away from the former is called Ketu.


Darasuram

Main Entrance

This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture. The vimana is 85 feet high. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The temple has some exquisite stone carvings. The main deity's consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwarar temple.
The legend is that Airavata, the white elephant of Indra, worshipped Lord Siva in this temple; so did also the King of Death, Yama. Tradition has it that the presiding deity Airavateswarar cured Yama himself (the God of Death) who was suffering under a Rishi's curse from a burning sensation all over the body. Yama took a bath in the sacred tank and was rid of the burning sensation. Since then the tank is known as Yamateertham. It gets its supply of fresh water from the river Kaveri and is 228 feet in width.