Navagraha – The Nine Planets in Hindu Astrology and Temples

Key TakeawaysNames of Navagraha in Order and Their MeaningSurya (Sun)Chandra (Moon)Mangal (Mars)Budh (Mercury)Guru (Jupiter)Shukra (Venus)Shani (Saturn)Rahu (North Node)Ketu (South Node)

Colours of Navagraha and Their SymbolismSurya (Sun)

Chandra (Moon)

Mangal (Mars)

Budh (Mercury)

Guru (Jupiter)

Shukra (Venus)

Shani (Saturn)

Rahu (North Node)

Ketu (South Node)

Navagraha Positions in Astrology and TemplesTemple View

Balancing Planetary Energy

Navagrahas in Temples: Worship and RitualsFamous Navagraha Temples

Spiritual Role of the Navagraha in Daily Life

Scientific vs Spiritual View of Navagraha

Conclusion

In Hindu belief, life is guided not only by our actions but also by the planets. The Navagraha, which means “nine planets,” are seen as powerful forces that influence health, relationships, career, and spiritual growth.

These nine include the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu. Each graha has its own colour, energy, and role. Together, they are worshipped in temples and studied in astrology to understand how they shape daily life.

In this blog, we’ll look at the names of the Navagraha in order, their colours, positions, and temple rituals. You’ll see how these nine deities connect astrology with your everyday life and why they remain such an important part of Hindu tradition.

Key Takeaways

The Navagraha are the nine planets in Hindu belief that guide health, work, love, and karma, consisting of seven planets and two shadow planets, Rahu and Ketu. Each graha has its own name, colour, and energy, which influence different parts of life and have a significant impact on health, success, relationships, and destiny. In temples, the Navagrahas are placed in a circle with Surya, the Sun, in the centre. Worship with mantras, colours, offerings, and pradakshina is believed to reduce struggles and invite blessings. Famous temples in Tamil Nadu, like Suryanar Kovil, Thirunallar Shani Temple, and Tirunageswaram, are major centres for Navagraha worship.

Names of Navagraha in Order and Their Meaning

Surya (Sun)

Surya is the source of light, energy, and life. In Navagraha installations, Surya is often given the central place, symbolizing his supreme importance and divine role.

He represents health, vitality, willpower, and leadership. Surya's chariot, drawn by seven horses, symbolizes the seven colors of white light and the seven days of the week, connecting him to the weekly cycle.

In astrology, the Sun shows your soul, inner strength, and how you shine in the world. Worship of Surya is believed to bring confidence, good health, and authority. In temple layouts, Surya is often placed in Surya's east, and notable Sun temples dedicated to him can be found in Uttar Pradesh.

Chandra (Moon)

Chandra rules over the mind and emotions. In astrology, the moon represents the human mind, emotions, and intuition. The Moon reflects your moods, intuition, and sensitivity. Chandra is revered as the moon god and a prominent deity in Hindu tradition.

It also represents peace and nourishment. Chandra is often depicted riding a chariot pulled by ten white horses, symbolizing purity and lunar energy. A strong Moon gives calmness and emotional balance, while a weak Moon may bring restlessness or confusion. Chandra is also considered a water god, associated with the element of water.

Mangal (Mars)

Mangal is the planet of courage, strength, and action. It gives passion, ambition, and determination but can also bring anger or conflict if not balanced. Mars is important for energy, discipline, and confidence in facing challenges.

There are temples dedicated to Mars in various parts of India, including Madhya Pradesh.

Budh (Mercury)

Budh is linked to intelligence, communication, and logic. It rules speech, memory, and learning. A strong Mercury brings clear thinking, adaptability, and good business skills. Worshipping Budh is believed to improve wisdom and clarity.

Guru (Jupiter)

Guru, also called Brihaspati, is the planet of wisdom and blessings. In astrology, Guru is also known as the lord of planet Jupiter. He guides growth, spirituality, and higher knowledge. Jupiter is seen as a teacher and protector, bringing prosperity, kindness, and a sense of purpose. Jupiter is associated with sattva guna, representing purity and wisdom.

In temple arrangements, Jupiter is often placed in the north east direction.

Shukra (Venus)

Shukra represents love, beauty, comfort, and harmony. In astrology, Shukra is also known as the planet Venus. Venus rules art, music, and luxury. It also represents wealth and material prosperity. It also influences relationships and marriage. A strong Venus brings happiness, charm, and creativity. In temple layouts, Venus is often placed in the south east direction.

Shani (Saturn)

Shani is known as the planet of discipline and justice. In astrology, Shani is also referred to as the ‘planet Saturn'.

He teaches patience, responsibility, and endurance. Shani moves slowly through the zodiac, taking about 30 years to complete one cycle. Saturn’s lessons may feel tough but they bring maturity and strength.

People worship Shani to remove obstacles and learn life’s deeper lessons. Lord Shani is a prominent figure in Hindu mythology, with many stories describing his influence and symbolism.

Rahu (North Node)

Rahu is a shadow planet that represents desires, ambition, and sudden changes. In Hindu astrology, it is called Rahu and is associated with mythological demons who are believed to cause eclipses. It often brings new opportunities through challenges. While Rahu can cause confusion or illusions, it also pushes you to grow in unexpected ways.

In temple arrangements, Rahu is often placed in the southwest direction.

Ketu (South Node)

Ketu represents detachment, spirituality, and past karma. Ketu, along with Rahu, is one of the ‘shadow planets' in astrology. It guides you toward letting go of material desires and focusing on inner growth. Ketu is associated with spiritual detachment from the ‘earth' and material world. A strong Ketu helps you move closer to spiritual wisdom. Ketu's influence can lead a person toward spiritual mastery and self-realization.

Colours of Navagraha and Their Symbolism

Surya (Sun)

The Sun is linked with the colour red. It shows strength, vitality, and power. Offering red flowers or wearing red during worship is believed to bring energy and authority.

Chandra (Moon)

The Moon is tied to white. It represents peace, calmness, and purity. White offerings are made to bring balance and emotional stability.

Mangal (Mars)

Mars also connects with red. This shade reflects courage, passion, and bold action. Devotees often offer red cloth or red lentils to please Mars.

Budh (Mercury)

Mercury is linked to green. It shows freshness, growth, and intelligence. Wearing green or offering green leaves is said to improve wisdom and communication.

Guru (Jupiter)

Jupiter’s colour is yellow. It stands for knowledge, prosperity, and kindness. Yellow offerings such as turmeric or yellow flowers are used in worship.

Shukra (Venus)

Venus is tied to white. It reflects love, beauty, and harmony. Offerings of white flowers, sweets, or cloth are made to strengthen Venus.

Shani (Saturn)

Saturn’s colour is black. It represents discipline, focus, and patience. Devotees often offer black sesame seeds or oil to reduce Saturn’s tough lessons.

Rahu (North Node)

Rahu is connected with smoky or grey shades. These colours show mystery, desire, and ambition. Worship with dark shades is believed to calm Rahu’s restless energy.

Ketu (South Node)

Ketu is tied to multi-coloured or mixed offerings. This reflects transformation, detachment, and spiritual wisdom. Devotees use a mix of colours in rituals to honour Ketu’s role in spiritual growth.

Colours are not just symbolic but are seen as a way to balance planetary energies. By offering the right colour or wearing it on certain days, devotees believe they can reduce struggles and invite blessings from each graha.

Navagraha Positions in Astrology and Temples

Astrological View

In astrology, the Navagraha show where planets sit in your birth chart. Astrologers analyze the positions of the Navagraha to interpret their effects on one's life, including health, career, and relationships. These positions guide your health, career, love, and spiritual path. When a planet sits in a strong place, it supports you. When it is weak, it tests you and pushes you to grow.

Temple View

In temples, you see the Navagraha idols arranged in a circle with Surya, the Sun, in the middle. This arrangement often includes the Sun, Moon, and five planets, along with the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu.

This shows that the Sun gives life, and all the other planets move around it. In some temples, certain planets are placed in the north east direction as per scriptural instructions.

Balancing Planetary Energy

When you walk around the Navagraha in a temple, you follow a practice called pradakshina. People believe this clears obstacles and balances the energy of the planets in your life.

Navagrahas in Temples: Worship and Rituals

You will often find Navagraha shrines in many Hindu temples, particularly in South India. These shrines allow you to pray to all nine planets in one location.

Surya, the Sun, is usually in the middle, and the other eight grahas are placed around him. These rituals are believed to have a positive effect on devotees' lives, bringing harmony and well-being.

When you worship, you can offer flowers, food, or clothes in the colour linked to each planet. People also chant mantras and walk around the idols, called pradakshina. This is believed to calm the planets and bring balance in life. Many say it reduces struggles and gives peace of mind.

Famous Navagraha Temples

Tamil Nadu has a group of nine temples near Kumbakonam, each one for a different graha. Devotees often visit all nine together as a pilgrimage.

Suryanar Kovil – dedicated to Surya, the Sun. Thirunallar Shani Temple – known for worship of Shani, Saturn. Tirunageswaram Temple – special for Rahu worship.

People believe praying in these temples brings blessings, removes obstacles, and helps them live with more clarity and confidence.

Spiritual Role of the Navagraha in Daily Life

In Hindu belief, the planets are not just faraway stars. They are living forces that shape your karma and daily life. Each one teaches lessons through love, family, work, health, and spirituality.

When a planet is strong, you feel support. When it is weak, you face tests that push you to grow and change.

To stay balanced, you can chant mantras, wear colours linked to each planet, fast on special days, or keep gemstones tied to the grahas.

Simple acts like offering flowers, food, or prayers also help you align with planetary energy. Many people believe these remedies soften struggles and bring peace.

Doing a Navagraha puja invites balance and protection from all nine planets. It is said to calm negative effects, strengthen blessings, and connect you with cosmic energy.

Scientific vs Spiritual View of Navagraha

Science sees the planets as bodies moving in space. They control things like tides, light, and seasons, but not personal destiny.

Hindu belief sees them differently. Here, the planets are forces of energy that shape your karma and guide your path.

You don’t need to choose one view over the other. Many people follow both. They look at eclipses and movements through science, but turn to astrology for meaning in daily life.

Together, science and spirituality give a fuller picture. One explains how the universe moves, and the other helps you find what those movements mean for your inner journey.

Conclusion

The Navagraha are more than planets in the sky. They are seen as cosmic and spiritual guides that shape your journey through health, work, love, and karma.

They connect astrology, temple rituals, and daily life, reminding you that balance comes from both discipline and devotion.

If you want to understand how the planets guide your path, you can explore your birth chart or try simple Navagraha remedies. These practices help you align with their energy and move through life with more clarity and peace.