NAVAGRAHA TEMPLES The Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu are a cluster of Navagraha Temples dating in the Chola dynasty near Kumbakonam. As per Hindu legend, Sage Kalava suffered along with leprosy from serious ailments. He jumped to the Navagrahas, the nine world deities. The planets offered him cure and were pleased with his loyalty. The Hindu god of creation, brahma, was angered because he believed that the planets have no powers to provide people with boons. He cursed the nine planets to suffer from leprosy and were sent down to earth in Vellurukku Vanam. The planets prayed to relieve them. Impressed, Shiva ensured that the area belonged to them and that they would need to grace the devotees worshipping them and appeared in front of them. Each temple is located in another village, and is Considered an abode of one of the Navagrahas. The majority of those temples are dedicated to Shiva. The Surya temple is the only one committed to the Graham. It is dedicated to the other navagrahas along with the worship of the Sun-God being the object of worship as the main deity and the latter as deities. It was built around the 11th or 12th century C.E.. The temples were built ranging back to 7th-9th century. They are : Angaarakan Navagrahastalam --Vaitheeswaran Kovil Budha Navagrahastalam -- Thiruvenkadu Guru Navagrahastalam -- Alangudi Sukra Navagrahastalam -- Kanjanur Shani Navagrahastalam -- Thirunallar Raahu Navagrahastalam --Thirunageswaram Ketu Navagrahastalam -- Keezhperumpallam