EDITORIAL Welcome to the March 2013 issue of Vaastuyogam.

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1 Vaastuyogam NEWSLETTER st C o n n e c t i n g V a a s t u t o t h e 21 C e n t u r y March Volume 55 Pages 16 - Jyotisha Nava Graha - Corporate Logos Parle-G Biscuits - Vedic India Kumbh Mela EDITORIAL Welcome to the March 2013 issue of Vaastuyogam. In response to regular and repeated requests from readers, to explain India s age old festivals, pilgrimages and customs in pictures and in text. Vaastuyogam, this month, carries in-depth articles on Kumbh and Navagrahashas. The problem is that Hindu ways and means have stayed undocumented or lost in arcane texts known only to reticent individuals praying silently in the carved corridors of ancient temples. The cut-andthrust of modern lifestyles has pushed our scant knowledge of our ancient customs even further into the shadows. It is our mission at Vaastuyogam to research this deeply interesting and useful knowledge and make it accessible in English to the public at large. Our two articles one on The Kumbh Mela and the other Belief is Relief on the grahas and their propitiation at the Navagraha Stallams around Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, hope to achieve these very objectives. The Kumbh is the world s single largest religious congregation and in the words of Mark Tully is an awe-inspiring demonstration of simple piety. Those lucky enough to visit the Mela know this to be true. Happy reading. Introduction This article is part one of a two-part full-length feature on the Navagraha Sthallas - unique temples around Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, that are dedicated to the worship of the Navagrahas (nine planets). Each one of these Navagrahas temples is dedicated to individual graha. This article provides information about the Navagrahas and these one-of-a-kind nine temples. It contains details of each Navagraha and the astrological, mythological and historical angles associated with its temple. What are the Navagrahas? The Navagrahas, nine grahas or celestial bodies are :- Surya (Sun) Chandra (Moon) Mangal (Mars) Budha (Mercury) Guru (Jupiter) Shukra (Venus) Shani (Saturn) Rahu & Ketu (The two nodes of the Solar and Lunar eclipses) Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are not included in the Navagrahas either because they were probably not known to exist or were thought to be too far away to exert any influence. For the believer Navagrahas permeate all aspects of life. The Navagrahas occupy a unique niche in the Hindu pantheon. The Navagrahas are neither a part of the triumvirate of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and nor a part of other major deities of Hinduism like the goddesses Lakshmi, Parvati and Saraswati or other deities such as Hanuman, Ganesh and Kartikeya. continued on page 2

2 March 2013 The Navagrahas and The Nine Unique Temples in Tamil Nadu Dedicated to Their Worship. - Part One 1 BELIEF IS RELIEF The Navagrahas move in the celestial sphere with reference to the stellar constellations known as Nakshatra. There are twenty-seven Nakshatras which are repeated in the Hindu calendar every month. The movement of the Navagrahas in respect Nakshatras are said to control a person s destiny including his/her thoughts and deeds, status and prosperity. The Navagrahas are considered to be intermediaries between the principal deity in the temple almost always Shiva and the worshipper. Each of the Navagrahas is in charge of specific areas that concern the devotee. It could be health, wealth, knowledge, marital bliss and just about anything about everything else. The Navagrahas are said to affect the physical and mental condition of human beings. They are considered to have malevolent as well as benevolent influences on the day-to-day activities of the individual. It is deemed to be in one s best interest to be in the good books of the Navagrahs and never ever to provoke them. It could be solving a petty problem or a major encumbrance it is believed that worshipping a specific graha for a specific need will get the devotee what he craves. Each graha is assigned a specific day of the week to ensure remembrance and worship. For Surya it is Sunday; for Chandra it is Monday; for Mangal it is Tuesday; for Budha its Wednesday; for Guru it is Thursday; for Shukra it is Friday and for Shani it is Saturday. No day of the week is specifically associated with Rahu and Ketu because Rahu and Ketu do not have any physical presence. Each graha has assigned to itself a specific color, grain, metal, vehicle and gem-stone. For instance, the colour for Surya is red; the grain for Chandra is paddy; the vehicle for Budha is a horse; the metal for Shukra is silver and the gem for Shani is sapphire. Of the Navagrahas Mangal (Mars), Shani (Saturn) plus Rahu and Ketu are said to be malefic. Navaratna Nine Gems in Hindu Astrology Navaratna is a Sanskrit word which means nine gems and is related to the nine planets or Navagraha in Hindu Vedic astrology. The word Nava means nine and Ratna means gem. Each gemstone is related to one Graha among the Navgrahas. Navaratna gemstones are considered auspicious and believed to give good health, prosperity, happiness and peace of mind to those who wear it. It protects against negative energies or malefic effects of planets and strengthens the positive influences of the gems. Diamond, ruby, emerald, blue sapphire and pearl are named as Maharatnas as they are considered to be superior to other gem. Usually people wear Navaratnas in the form of rings. The positions of planets keep on changing, accordingly the dasa and mahadasas of the planets. Astrology says that the malefic effects of Planets can be balanced by the effect of beneficial planets when one wears the Navaratna Jewellery. Navaratna Gemstones and their Planetary Representations 1) Ruby Manikkam or Manek Lord Surya or Sun 2) Pearl Moti Lord Chandra or Moon 3) Red Coral Moonga Lord Kuja or Planet Mars 4) Emerald Marakatam or Panna Lord Budh or Mercury 5) Yellow Sapphire Pukharaj Jupiter or Lord Guru 6) Diamond Heera or Vairam Venus or Lord Shukra 7) Blue Sapphire Neelam Saturn or Lord Shani 8) Hessonite Gomedh Lord Rahu 9) Cat s Eye Vaiduryam Lord Ketu Worship of the Navagrahas The Navagraha pujas are mostly performed at home by engaging a knowledgeable and senior priest. It is also a tradition especially in the southern India to install Nava Grahams on a platform in a separate continued on page 3 Navagraha, British Museum originally from Konark, Orissa. From left: Surya, Chandra, Mangala, Budha, Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani, Rahu, Ketu

3 March enclosure in Shiva and Devi temples. In most of the Shiva temples, particularly in south India, one can see the Navagraha shrines worshipped as secondary deities enshrined in a corner of the temple. However, in the state of Tamil Nadu there are nine unique temples to be found in a radius of 70 kilometers around the temple town Kumbakonam that are dedicated to the worship of each individual of the Navagrahas. The nine planets are invariably found in every Saiva temple in South India. In many North Indian temples they are depicted on the lintels of doors, to protect the temple and all those who enter it. They may also be housed in a separate Mandapa (a small pavilion) or at least a platform where the images of these nine Grahas are installed in such a way that no two of them will face each other. It is sometimes stated that the images of the planets are set up in the temples in the order in which they are in the zodiacal circle at the time of the construction of the temple. located near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. Each of these Navagraha shrines is situated in a different village, and is dedicated to one of the 9 Navagrahas. That is, the first temple Sooriyanar Kovil is dedicated to Lord Surya, while the second temple Thingaloor Chandra Navagrahastalam is dedicated to Lord Chandra likewise. However, an interesting aspect is that majority of the temples enshrine Lord Shiva and his consort goddess Parvati are the primary deities though they both have different names at the different temples. The Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu are located in Nagapattinam, Tiruvaru and Thanjavur Districts. This lush green district, through which the Cauvery flows, has these nine Shiva temples. Each of these temple enshrines a Navagraha. Six of the Navagraha temples are situated on the northern bank of Cauvery and three on the southern bank. Age of the temples There is unfortunately no way of dating these temples (except Suriyanar Koil which was built in 1100 AD) due to lack of concrete written evidence. We can only go by circumstantial evidence, one method being the compositions of the Nayanmars who composed and sang hymns about the Navagraha temples around 7th Century AD. There the assumption is that all these temples were in existence around 7th Century AD. Navagraha Temples and Their Location 1) Suriyanar Koil of Sun God : Suriyanar Temple is dedicated to Hindu Sun God and is situated 3 km from Aduthurai, which is on the Kumbakonam - Mayiladuthurai Road in Tamil Nadu. 2) Thingaloor Temple : Thingaloor Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Chandra or Moon God and is situated 1.5 km from Thirupayhanam, on the Kumbakonam - Thiruvayyaru Road. 3) Vaitheeswaran Kovil: Vaitheeswaran Temple is dedicated to Angaraka (Sewai or Chowa) and is situated 4 km from Mayiladuthurai, on the Chidambaram Road. 4) Thiruvenkadu Temple: Thiruvenkadu Swetharanyeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Budha and is situated 10 km southeast of Sirkali. 5 ) A l a n g u d i Te m p l e : A l a n g u d i continued on page 4 Navagraha temples In Indian Astrology, movement o f t h e N a v a g r a h a s i s considered to have a major role in influencing the fortunes of any individual. In order to mitigate the negative effects of a planet which is debilated in the birth chart or to provide more potency to a planet that is in an exalted state, believers undertake pilgrimage to d e s i g n a t e d N a v a g r a h a temples. N a v a g r a h a Te m p l e s i n Tamilnadu are the 9 temples dedicated to Navagrahas the nine celestial planets of Hindu astronomy. These nine Navagraha temples are Route map of Navagraha Temples near Kumbakonam

4 4 Vaastuyogam March Abathsahayeswarar Temple is dedicated to Brihaspati (Guru or Vyazhan or Planet Jupiter) and is about 15 km from K u m b a k o n a m o n t h e w a y t o Needamangalam. 6) Kanjanoor Te mple: Kanjanoor Agneeswarar Temple is dedicated to Sukran (Velli or Planet Venus) and is located at an interior village on the Mayiladuthurai - Kathiramangalam Road. 7) Thirunallar Temple: Thirunallar Darbaranyeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shani (Sani or Saturn) and is located 5 km on the way to Peralam - Karaikkal. 8 ) T h i r u n a g e s w a r a m Te m p l e : Thirunageswaram Naganathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Rahu and is situated about 7 km from Kumbakonam - Karaikkal Road. 9 ) K e e z h p e r u m p a l l a m Te m p l e : Keezhperumpallam Temple is dedicated to Lord Kethu and is situated near Poompuhar on the Mayiladuthurai - Poompuhar Road. SURYA My salutations to Surya, creator of the splendorous day, son of the sage Kashyapa and destroyer of ignorance and all sins - Navagraha Stotram In the Hindu Mythology, the Navagrahas have an exalted position in a persons life as they exert a great influence and it is said that the proper worship of these 9 planets can greatly tone down their malefic influence and thus grant peace and prosperity in a persons life. The entire place where the Navagraha is installed in a temple is a black granite stand and the Navagrahas are also black granite with the facial features not so well formed, but they are well decorated with the most favored colored cloth of the particular planet. Entire pedestal that they are placed on has small channels that lead the water, milk, curd, yoghurt and oil abhisheka that the idols are regularly done to a clean place. The oil from shani puja / abhishek is collected to light the lamps in the temple. So on and so forth. As per Hindu customs, the Navagraha are typically placed in a single square with the Sun (Surya) in the center and the other deities surrounding Surya; no two of them are made to face each other. In South India, their images are generally found in all important Saiva temples. They are invariably placed in a separate hall, on a pedestal of about three feet in height, usually to the north-east of the sanctum sanctorum. He ensures victory over ill-wishers. Valmiki writes in the Ramayana that when Lord Rama had to go to war against Ravana, Rishi Agasatya taught him the Aditya Hrudaya Stotra in order to invoke Surya to aid his campaign. Surya is portrayed as seated in a singlewheeled chariot drawn by seven horses denoting the seven days of the week. A halo usually emanates from the image, signifying Surya s power as also the light he emits. The charioteer is Aruna, the dawn. Lord Surya or the Sun God occupies the central place amongst the Navagrahas facing the east. Also known as Ravi, Surya is the Lord of Simha Rashi or Leo sign in Zodiac. Surya s vahana is a chariot drawn by seven horses. The seven horses represent the seven colors of the white light and seven days of a week. He presides over Raviwar or Sunday, his color is red and gemstone is ruby. Surya is, by himself, a very powerful deity. He bestows health, success and prosperity. The Mahabharata says that Surya is the son of the sage Kashyapa and Aditi, daughter of Daksha. Hence, he is also known as Aditya. The Aditya Hrudaya Stotra details Surya s other names: Savita, Bhanu, Pushan, Divakara, Haridasuvan, Sahasrachis, Saptasapti, Marthanda, Bhaskara, Ravi, Mahatejas and Lokasakshi. Prayers to Surya are believed to be effacious in the curing of ailments such as problems with the eyes, weak bones, fevers of long duration and skin problems. He is believed to control the well-being of one s father. Suryanar Temple - Navagraha Temple of Sun God Suryanar Koil, Suryanar Temple or Sooriyanaar Koil, is the first of the 9 Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu, located about 1 km from Tirumangalakkudi which l i e s b e t w e e n K u m b a k o n a m a n d Mayavaram, near Thanjavur, in Tamilnadu. Popular known as Surya Sthalam, Suryanaar Kovil is dedicated to the Sun God or Lord Surya, the first of Navagrahas. This is the only temple in South India dedicated continued on page 5

5 March exclusively to Surya (Sun God). In the sanctum, Brihaspati is depicted as worshipping Lord Shiva Suryanarayana. The other planets are enshrined separately. The presiding deity, Sri Suryanarayana swamy, is found in a lying posture inside the sanctum sanctorum with his consorts Sri Usha Devi and Sri Pratyusha Devi. The other eight Navagrahas are seen facing the Sun God. Besides, Suriyanar Temple also embodies the shrines of Kasi Vishwanath, Visalakshi and Brihaspati (Guru) within the sanctum. The Kol Theertha Vinayakar (Ganesha or Pillayar) shrine is a prominent sculpture here. Lord Surya Bhagawan is known as the giver of health, success and prosperity. It is believed that those who are affected by 'Graha Dhosham' and negative influence of The Navagrahas are considered to be intermediaries between the principal deity in the temple almost always Shiva and the worshipper. Each of the Navagrahas is in charge of specific areas that concern the devotee. It could be health, wealth, knowledge, marital bliss and just about anything about everything else. Lord Shani (Planet Saturn), Ashtama Shani (Shani in 8th house) and Janma Shani (Shani in 1st house) can visit Suryanar Koil to get relieved of their sufferings. Wheat, Red Lotus, Erukku (Madar Plant) and Sakkarai Pongal are some of the offerings to worship the Lord. Sooriyanar Temple History and Architecture Sooriyanar Kovil faces west and is built in such a way to receive maximum beneficial rays from the planets. Built by Chola King, Kulothunga Chola I in the year 1100 AD, the temple features a huge tower with three tiers and five domes at the top. The sanctum and the ardhamandapam are built of stone. This is the only Navagraha temple where all the nine grahas (nine planets) can be found in separate sannadhis (Sanctums). There is a tank called Surya Pushkarni, which lies to the north of the Rajagopuram. This is considered as a sacred bathing ghat. There are around 15 theerthams in the Suryanar Temple. The one which is located inside the temple is called as Jnana Koopam. The inscriptions from the period of Krishna Deva Raya speak about the endowments made to this temple. Nearby the temple is the Poolaivala River. A sacrificial platform (bali peetam) is seen at the entrance and to its east lies a mandap. An idol of a horse, the Sun God s vaahanam (vehicle), is seen here. The steps in front of Guru Bhagwan lead to the idols of other grahas. Suryanar Temple Festivals The annual Ratha Saptami festival (Rathasapthami) during the Tamil month of Thai (January February) is one of the main festival celebrated here. The first Sundays in the months of Aavani (Leo) and Kartikai (Scorpio) is also considered very auspicious. Vijaya Dashami and annual Brahmotsavam festival (Bhrammotsavam) are also held with much devotion. Temple Timings Suryanar Temple is opened from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM How to reach Suryanar Temple Suryanar Koil is about 21 km from Swamimalai and 15 km from Kumbakonam. It is about 20 km from Mayiladuthurai on the Kumbakonam - Aduthurai Mayiladuthurai Road. Aduthurai Railway Station is the nearest railway station. Note: According to prescribed procedure one must visit the Thirumangalakudi temple before worshiping at Suryanar Temple. The visit to Thirumangalakudi is necessary and without it the entire trip to the Navagraha temples especially Suryanar Temple will remain incomplete. CHANDRA I bow to the Moon god who adorns the crest of Shiva, white like snow who emerged out of the Ocean of Milk. - Navagraha Stotram Chandra is a lunar deity and is also known as Soma. The Moon represents the mind, feminine nature, beauty and happiness. He is believed to ride his chariot across the sky every night, pulled by ten white horses or an antelope. He is also called Nishadipati and Kshuparaka. Lord Chandra is also one of the Gods of Fertility. Chandra is the god of Karka rashi or cancer zodiac sign. The mental stability and well-being of a person largely depends on the placement of the moon in his horoscope. As Soma he presides over Somavar or Monday and gemstone is pearl. When the celestial of Ocean of milk was being churned, Chandra was one of the first to emerge from it. He has pride of place in Lord Shiva s matted hair. This powerful Graham is next only to Surya in his strength and power to bestow favors on his worshippers. He is Lord Shiva s left eye while Surya is the right eye. Chandra grants a comfortable long life and fame. He cures eye ailments (especially those of the left eye) and skin diseases. Most importantly, Chandra is the graha who helps remove stress and sorrow. People suffering from mental ailments seek a cure from him. Chandra is believed to control the well-being of one s mother. Those with strained family relations pray to him to remove frictions within the family. Thingaloor Kailasanathar Temple Navagraha Temple of Lord Chandra Kailasanathar Temple, the second of the 9 continued on page 6

6 6 Vaastuyogam March Navagraham Temples in Tamilnadu, dedicated to Lord Chandra (Moon God), the second graha of the Navagrahas. This Chandra Navagraha Stalam is located at Thingaloor which is about 8 km from Tiruvaiyaru near Thanjavur in Tamilnadu. Thingaloor is named after the Tamil word, Thingal, which means Chandra or Moon. As most of the other Navagraha Temples of Tamilnadu, Kailasanathar Temple is also a Shiva Stalam and the main deities worshipped here are Kailasanathar and Goddess Periyanakiamman. Legend says that the Lord Chandra worshipped Lord Shiva here to save him from a curse and gained his blessings. Hence it is believed that those who have any Chandra Dosha in their horoscopes can get relief from suffering by offering prayers and perfoming pujas to Lord Kailasanathar, Goddess Periyanayaki and Chandra Bhagwan. Devotees who worship Lord Chandra are blessed with good health, mother s welfare, and get rid of the stress and sorrow in daily life. Temple Architecture Thingaloor Kailasanathar Temple is about 1500 years old. Built in the 7th century by Pallava King Rajasimha, this ancient Shaivite shrine reflects the early Dravidian architecture. A huge Nandi is seen in the front, facing the temple. The 16-sided Shiva lingam at the main shrine is made out of black granite. A unique feature of Thingaloor Temple is that during the months of Puratasi (September - October) and Panguni (March - April), the rays of the moon fall on the Shiva Lingam. Thingaloor Temple History This Chandra Sthalam is associated with the life of Tirunavukkarasar, one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints). Legend says that there lived a merchant, Appoodi Adikal, at Thingaloor, who was a devotee of Tirunavukkarasar. Appoodi Adigal had an opportunity to host the saint, when he visited Thingaloor. At the same time, his son was bitten by a venomous snake. However, the merchant continued to serve the saint without revealing the tragedy. The saint was inspired by his devotion and restored the boy s life by singing songs in praise of Lord Shiva at this temple. This collection of ten s o n g s c a m e t o b e k n o w n a s Thirupathikam. Temple Offerings As Lord Chandran s color is white, he is offered with raw rice mixed with jaggery, white Arali (a flower), and white clothing. It is believed that this pooja removes obstacles in life. Besides, special pujas are performed on all full moon days. Thingaloor is the shrine where one prays for the health and prosperity of one s mother. Kailasnatha bestows fame on the devotee and cures skin and eye problems. Temple Timings The temple is opened from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00PM to 8:00 PM on all days. How to reach Thingaloor Kailasanathar Temple Thingaloor Temple is about 36 km from Kumbakonam, on the way to Tiruvaiyaru. It is about 1 km from Thirupayhanam which is on the Kumbakonam - Thiruvayyaru Road. Kumbakonam Railway Station is the nearest railway station. Frequent buses are a l s o a v a i l a b l e. S e t h u E x p r e s s (Rameswaram to Tambaram) and Tirupati Express (Tiruchirapalli - Tirupati) passes through Kumbakonam Railway Station. BUDHA PLANET MERCURY I bow to Budha who is dark of hue, of unparalleled beauty and of composed countenance. - Navagraha Stotram Budha is generally represented with four hands, three of his hands holding a sword, a shield and a mace respectively while the fourth one is held in usual varada mudra. He rides a carpet or an eagle or a chariot drawn by lions. Mercury represents one s intelligence and communication. The planet governs the nervous system. His color is green his day is Wednesday or Budhwar and his gemstone is Emerald. Budha is the God of Mithuna Rashi and Kanya Rashi in Astrology. In Hindu mythology, Buddha is Buddhi Nathan ( he who imparts wisdom) or Graha Peeda Hara ( He who destroys the malefic influence of other planets) Budha s controlling deity being Maha Vishnu or Narayana, praying either to Budha or reciting the Vishnu Sahasra Namam ( The Thousand names of Vishnu) bestows wisdom, intellect and excellence in education both technical and the fine arts promotion of the place of work and success in business ventures. Budha confers the art of communication well and also a sense of humor! He controls the lungs, intestines and the nervous system and is the one to be prayed for a solution any problems with these organs. He is in charge of the well-being of maternal uncles. He is a gentle planet, peaceful in nature and grants wealth and vehicles. He is light green in color and I attired in green robes. Wearing an emerald or worshiping him on Wednesdays is considered auspicious. Budha, is the son of Chandra. Swetharanyeswarar Temple Thiruvenkadu Navagraha Sthalam Tamilnadu S w e t h a r a n y e s w a r a r Te m p l e a t Thiruvenkadu, the fourth Navagraha sthalam of the 9 Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu, is the abode for Bhudhan or Bhuda (planet Mercury). Thiruvenkadu Bhudha Sthalam is located near Poompuhar, around 10 km from Sirkazhi, 24 km east of Mayuram and 59 km from Kumbakonam. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva as Swedharanyeshwarar and Goddess Parvati as Brahma Vidya Nayaki A m b a l ( B r a h m a v i d y a n a y a k i ). Swetharanyeswarar Temple enshrines a separate sanctum sanctorum for Bhudhan or Bhudan, one the nine Navagrahas. Temple History The name Thiruvenkadu, also spelled Thiruvengadu, means sacred white forest (Ven means white and Kadu means forest). It is said that this place was surrounded by thick forests on all sides and when seen from a distance, it looked white, and hence continued on page 7

7 March the name. In Sanskrit it is known as Swetaranyam (Swetam means white and Aranyam means forest). The place also bears various names such as Jnanaaranya, (forest of wisdom), Patala Kailas and Aadi Chidambaram. Temple Architecture Thiruvenkadu Temple is surrounded by five prakarams known as pancha prakarams. Here the Lord is consecrated in His forms as Aghoramurthi (manifestation of His wild and angry form) and Nataraja (a manifestation of Shiva, assumed as the Lord of Dance). The Nataraja image holds seven instruments and weapons, namely, Vetalam, Khadgam, Udukku, Mani, Kedayam, Kapalam and Trisulam. A unique feature about Swetharanyeswarar Temple is that the image of Lord Shiva has five faces, Easanam, Tatpurusham, Aghoram, Vamadevam and Sadyojatam. The posture of Nandi at the entrance is another unique feature here. It bears nine scars on its body and is seated at the entrance of Devi s shrine. The face is turned towards the Lord s shrine and ears cocked towards that of Devi, signifying that it is ready to receive orders from the Divine Couple. Devi in Her divine form of Bhadrakali has a separate shrine. Besides, there are separate shrines for Ashta Lakhsmis and the Navagrahas. Swetharanyeswarar Temple has three theerthams (holy tanks) called as Agni Theertham, Surya Theertham and Chandra Theertham which are said to have been created out of the three drops which fell from Lord Shiva's eyes when he was dancing. The sthala vrikshams are also three in number - Vilvam, Vadaval and Konrai. The stone inscriptions on the walls of the temples depict important historical information on the Chola Dynasty and about several kings of Vijayanagar. The rivers, Kaveri and Manikarnika, run near the holy shrine. Worship Worship to Lord Shiva's fiery form Aghoramurthy is considered to be of great importance especially on Sunday nights. Budhan is the planetary ruler for knowledge, music, astrology, Maths, sculpting, medicine and language skills. Wednesdays are very auspicious to Budha and offering pooja on this day is believed to rectify any Budhan Dhosham in horoscope. Budha is attired in green and can be offered with green moong dhal, white kanthal flower and green cloth. The temple has three water tanks The Surya (Sun) kulam, the Soma (Moon) kulam and the Agni (Fire) kulam named after Shiva s three eyes. (Kulam means water tank) Bathing in these tanks and worshiping Shiva here for 45 days is believed to be particularly efficacious for couples praying for a child. Thiruvenkadu Temple Festivals The most important festival is the float The Navagrahas festival which is celebrated on the last day of 12 day celebrations in the Tamil month of Maasi (February - March). Temple Timings The temple is opened from 6 AM to PM and 4 PM to 9 PM How to reach Swetharanyeswarar Temple at Thiruvenkadu Swetharanyeswarar Temple is situated 23 kilometers away from Mayiladuthurai, on the Sirkali Poompuhar linking road. The temple is 10 km from Sirkazhi and 59 km from Kumbakonam. Shiyali Railway Station, Thanjavur is the nearest railway station, about 9 km from the temple. Thiruvenkadu is accessible by road from Vaitheeswaran Koil railway station and Semponnar Koil railway station as well. To be continued...