✏️Summary
The Navagraha, meaning “nine planets,” are key celestial deities in Hindu astrology (Jyotisha). They influence human destiny and are worshipped through rituals like Navagraha Shanti Puja for peace and prosperity. Each planet has distinct iconography, temples, and associated gemstones believed to balance their effects. This guide explains their cultural significance, worship methods, and how the Navagraha impact daily life in India, blending tradition with Vedic knowledge for spiritual harmony.
In ancient India, stargazing was never just about admiring the night sky — it was a profound science connecting human life to the cosmos. According to Jyotisha Shastra (Vedic astrology), the Navagraha, or the Nine Celestial Influencers, play a vital role in shaping a person’s destiny, health, and fortune.
These nine are: Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node), and Ketu (South Lunar Node). Our learned ancestors discovered that the position of the planets at the time of a person’s birth determined their Kundali (birth chart), Raashi (birth-sign), and Raashi-phal (horoscope).
These nine planets, while residing far away, were found to have a direct impact on the life events of a person. From this knowledge emerged the tradition of Jyotisha (astrology), in which the Navagraha, the nine planets worshiped as deities, became revered figures.
How are the Navagraha represented in temples and sacred art?
In Hindu culture, each of the Navagraha is personified as a distinct deity, complete with unique symbols, vehicles (vahanas), and attributes. This iconography helps devotees connect with each planet’s cosmic energy during pujas, yantra worship, or temple visits.
Below is a concise guide to each planet’s traditional depiction:
🔸Role: King of the Navagraha, source of vitality and illumination
🔸Depiction: The head of the Navagrahas, Surya in art is presented as a two-armed deity, standing or sitting on a chariot which is driven by Aruna (the god of dawn), holding lotuses in both his hands.
🔸Symbolism: Represents life force and authority
Surya Bhagwan : The Hindu Sun God
🔸Role: Governs emotions, mind, and fertility
🔸Depiction: Chandra is a heavenly being, with two hands, holding white lotuses and sits on a chariot with two or three wheels and ten horses.
🔸Symbolism: Soothing, nurturing energy; linked with mental health in Ayurveda
Chandra Dev: The Hindu God of Moon
🔸Role: Planet of strength, courage, and land disputes
🔸Depiction: Mangala or Kuja, also known as Bhumiputra (son of Bhumi or earth) is depicted with mace, javelin, the gesture of Abhaya and Varada, and is seated on a Ram.
🔸Symbolism: Fiery force; worshiped to reduce conflicts
Mangala: The Planet Mars in Indian Culture
🔸Role: Planet of intellect, communication, and trade
🔸Depiction: Budha is presented with four hands, holding weapons such as a sword, mace, and shield, and the Varada mudra. He sits on a lion or a Ratha of four horses.
🔸Symbolism: Quick wit, logic, and commerce
Budha (बुध): God of Planet Mercury & Ruler of Intellect
🔸Role: Teacher of the gods, symbol of wisdom and prosperity
🔸Depiction: The teacher of the gods, Brihaspati or Guru (master), Carries a rosary (mala) and sacred scriptures; seated on an eight-horse golden chariot.
🔸Symbolism: Spiritual guide and remover of ignorance
Devguru Brihaspati - Jupiter, The Great Teacher of Gods
🔸Role: Planet of love, wealth, and artistic pursuits
🔸Depiction: Sits on a golden chariot of eight horses or on a silver Ratha of ten horses. He holds treasures (gem or Nidhi) and a book in hand. Sometimes, he is four-armed carrying a rosary, water vessel, Danda, and the gesture of Varada.
🔸Symbolism: Beauty, luxury, and romance
Shukra : The Planet Venus in Indian Culture
🔸Role: Bringer of discipline, karma, and obstacles
🔸Depiction: Holds bow, arrows, and javelin; blessing gesture; seated on an iron chariot pulled by black horses, or rides a vulture or crow
🔸Symbolism: Teaches patience and perseverance
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🔸Role: Represents material desires and obsessions
🔸Depiction: Rahu is shown with the face and upper body of a divine being and the lower body of a serpent owing to his encounter with Mohini (Vishnu) during Samudra Manthan. Rahu is sometimes shown on a lion.
🔸Symbolism: Causes eclipses and illusions; worshiped to mitigate malefic effects
🔸Role: Symbolizes spiritual detachment and moksha (liberation)
🔸Depiction: Serpent-headed figure with human lower body; stands on two legs or sits on a vulture
🔸Symbolism: Cuts attachments to guide spiritual growth
Pro Tip: In many Navagraha temples, these deities are installed together in a sacred cluster, reinforcing the balance of planetary energies.
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What is Navagraha Shanti and why is it important in Hindu astrology?
In Jyotisha Shastra (Vedic astrology) in Indian culture believes that the planets have an impact on every aspect of our life, which means they dictate the success and failures in endeavors and the degree of happiness or difficulties a person is going to face throughout their life. To counteract this, Hindus perform the sacred ritual known as Navagraha Shanti.
To ensure that the Navagrahas are pleased and positive for a person, Jyotisha suggests the observance of Navagraha Shanti, a Puja done to yield the good gaze of the planets. The Navagraha Shanti rite is also called Navagraha Makha, which is an established tradition within Hinduism. The puja is of three kinds-
1. Ayutahoma - Ten Thousand Offerings in the Sacrificial holy Fire (Homa)
2. Lakshahoma - One lakh (100,000) offerings
3. Kotihoma - One crore (10 million) offerings for maximum appeasement
🔸Statues of the Navagraha are to be made with pure materials such as wood, metal, crystal, or stone or perishable materials such as sandalwood.
🔸Vedic mantras specific to each Graha are recited by learned priests.
🔸A Homa or Vedic sacrifice is performed for each planet, where honey or ghee are offered and the priest is gifted with various rewards.
🔸Gifts and Dakshina are given to Brahmins as part of the ritual tradition.
🔸Special Puja is performed for any particular planet in an unfavorable position.
🔸Before major life events such as marriages, Griha Pravesh (housewarming), or Samskaras (rites of passage)
🔸Before embarking on a Tirtha Yatra (pilgrimage)
🔸To overcome persistent health, financial, or relationship issues traced to planetary imbalance
🔸Neutralizes malefic planetary effects 🔸Attracts positive vibrations and success 🔸Supports mental and physical well-being 🔸Strengthens one’s connection with divine forces
Expert Tip: Always consult a qualified Jyotishi before performing a Graha Shanti Puja to ensure accurate remedies based on your personalized Janma Kundali.
Where can you see Navagraha worship in India?
Due to the importance the Navagraha (Nine Planets) have in Indian culture, their presence is visible all around, in temples, during festivals, and even in the traditional medicine system of India- Ayurveda.
🌀Temples and Worship: Temples for the Navagraha are found all over India, as a part of the larger sanctums of deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, and Ganesha or as separate cluster temples.
🔸Navagraha Temples in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu: The sacred shrine of Navagrahas in Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) is a powerful spot, where Rishi Kalava worshiped the nine planets who were pleased and cured his leprosy.
🔸Sun Temples: Among the individual temples of the planets, Surya Mandir, and Sun temples (in Konark, Martanda, and Modhera) are especially popular in India, connecting people to the Vedic traditions of Sun worship.
These temples attract pilgrims seeking relief from Graha Dosha (planetary afflictions) and blessings for health, wealth, and harmony.
🔸Makara Sankranti: Celebrated in January, this harvest festival venerates Surya Dev (Sun God) as he transitions into Capricorn (Makara Rashi). Devotees take holy dips in rivers and offer prayers for prosperity.
🔸Purnima Vrats: Purnima (the full moon night) is a religiously significant time in Hinduism, where devotees of Vishnu especially keep fasts and perform Pujas. People perform special rituals on the day and worship their Ishta (tutelary god and goddess) on Purnima.
This ancient system of medicine and healing believes that there is a connection between particular ailments and diseases and the planets, which are the causes of these issues.
🔸Chandra (Moon) governs the mind and emotions; imbalance may cause anxiety or insomnia.
🔸Mangala (Mars) influences blood and vitality; an afflicted Mars may relate to fevers or injuries.
Skilled Ayurvedic practitioners may consider planetary positions while diagnosing root causes and prescribing herbs, mantras, or gemstones aligned with the relevant planet.
🪐 What is the Navagraha Mandala?
The cosmic space that the nine planets inhabit together is known as the Navagraha Mandala, often represented in art as the nine deities standing in a circle around the Sun or the planets placed in their individual orbits around the spherical Sun in the center. In sacred art, the Navagraha are also presented in the Navagraha Yantra, the powerful device that is used in the Puja of the planets. The Yantra is worshiped with special offerings and the mantra for the nine planets-
“ॐ ब्रह्मामुरारि त्रिपुरान्तकारी भानु: शशि भूमिसुतो बुध च।
गुरु च शुक्र: शनि राहु केतव: सर्वेग्रहा: शान्ति करा: भवन्तु।।”
“I pray to Brahma, Murari (Vishnu), Tripurantakari (Shiva, who annihilated the Tripura), for pacifying and removing the negative effects of Bhanu (Sun), Shashi (Moon), Bhumi-Suta (Mangala or Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (northern node of Moon) and Ketu (southern node of Moon)”.
An integral part of Jyotisha is the science of gemstones, also known as Ratna Vigyaan or Ratna Shaastra, based on the sacred knowledge of Vedas and Puranas. It is believed that each planet has a gemstone associated with it, and an individual can wear a gemstone to gain a positive impact on the related planet in their life.
Navaratna (Sanskrit: Nava = nine, Ratna = gems) is an ancient Vedic practice of wearing nine specific gemstones, each representing one of the Navagraha (nine planets). According to Jyotisha Shastra (Vedic astrology), wearing these stones correctly can harmonize planetary energies and promote health, success, and spiritual growth.
Planet Gemstone Benefits
The effect of these gemstones is considerable according to astrology, which is why it is always prescribed to consult a learned Jyotish before wearing a gemstone and get an idea about the size, weight, and form in which the stone has to be worn.
🔸Consult an expert: Only a qualified Jyotishi (astrologer) should recommend which stone to wear, along with proper size, weight, and metal setting.
🔸Purify and energize: Stones are ritually cleansed and consecrated before wearing.
🔸Combine carefully: Many people wear a Navaratna ring or pendant featuring all nine stones together to balance all planetary energies simultaneously.
🔸Balances mind, body, and spirit by neutralizing negative planetary influences
🔸Attracts good fortune, health, and prosperity
🔸Recommended for people facing repeated failures, health issues, or unexplained obstacles linked to planetary doshas.
The term Navagraha in Hindu astrology means “nine celestial influencers” — they are the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu, which affect human destiny and karma.
According to Vedic astrology, the Navagraha control different aspects of life like health, relationships, wealth, and success, based on their position at the time of birth.
Navagraha Shanti Puja is a traditional ritual performed to pacify the nine planets and reduce their negative effects, ensuring peace and prosperity in life.
Each planet has an associated gemstone: Ruby for Sun, Pearl for Moon, Red Coral for Mars, Emerald for Mercury, Yellow Sapphire for Jupiter, Diamond for Venus, Blue Sapphire for Saturn, Hessonite for Rahu, and Cat’s Eye for Ketu.
Famous Navagraha temples are found in Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu), Surya temples like Konark in Odisha, Modhera in Gujarat, and Martand in Kashmir.
In Ayurveda, the planets are linked to physical and mental health; for example, the Moon governs the mind, so an afflicted Moon may cause emotional imbalance.
A Navagraha Yantra is a sacred diagram representing the nine planets, used in worship and meditation to balance planetary energies and remove obstacles.
From the ancient sources of Hinduism to modern times, Navagraha is an integral part of the culture of India. They are believed to be deciders of destiny, a powerful force that with the right knowledge and the blessing of personal deities can be transformed into a useful and aiding energy, which can lead a person to new heights.
Interested in knowing more about the Navagraha, their significance, worship methods, or want to purchase Navagraha Mandala, statues of Navagraha, or Navagraha Yantra for Puja made with pure materials? Visit Exotic India Art, where a collection of books, sculptures, and sacred Yantras of the Navagraha are made available to anyone who wants to learn about and experience the blessings of these celestial beings.
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