PLANETARY FAMILIES AND ITS COMMON CHARACTERISTICS IN BRIEF

Sun provides light to numerous star and other planets. Sun is being worshipped as first among the other planets in Hindu religion. Sun God is gloried in India in 2 places, one in Konark in Orissa and Suryanarkoil in Tamil Nadu.  Here, the Sun God faces the East and all other planets within one single compound face the Sun God.  Sun God is called Suryanarayanaswamy and His Consorts are Sri Ushal devi and Sri Pratyusha Devi.  In order to cool down the heat intensity of Sun rays, Guru (Jupiter) is seen standing in opposite direction.  The Sun God do away hardships caused by Saturn.  If a person has evil effects on his/her horo, he/she has to visit this temple.  His day: Sunday

Lord Guru is called Brahaspathi for his excellence in education and fine arts. Besides Alangudi, Tiruchandur is also worshipped as Guru Sthalam. Alangudi temple is near Needamangalam in Tiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu.  The main deity here is Abathsahayeswarar and His Consort Ezhavaar Kuzhali.  Purana refers to Lord Guru as Saint Angirasa's son. The colour appropriate for him is yellow garment and chick pea as 'offering' brings happiness to Him. His Day : Thursday, stones: Pushparagam (topaz).
 

Saturn turns a person's life upside down depending on his/her horoscope.  It has been said that Saturn teaches us lessons from reality of world. Its domain is patience, maturity, self-control and realism.  Saturn rules our fate, the things we cannot escape from real life. Saturn is the offspring of Lord Suryan.  He is the brother of Yama Dharmaraja, Saneeswaran is believed to limp caused by his half-brother Yama hitting him with stick. It is also said Lord Sun's children from second wife hit him on the leg. Lord Saneeshwararn is worshipped in Thirunallar, near Karaikal, Pondicherry.  Main deity: Nallartreswarar is in the form of Lingam.  Separate shrine for Lord Sanee exist here.  Saneeswaran rules over Makaram and Kumbha rasis. It is ideal for people to wear blue-colored gem born out of these rasis. King Nala worshipped Sanee and got back his kingdom.
 

Venus is called love planet and stands for sense of aesthetics, arts (generally music). Venus is said to be often in the same sign as the Sun, since it can never be more than 45 degrees from the natal sun sign. Venus is associated with the signs of Libra and Taurus. Kanchanoor temple is located 18 km in the Kallanai-Poompuhar highway. It is idea to pray Lord Shukran by giving away white clothes, white lotus, diamond for betterment in lifestyles, work, it is widely believed the unemployed gets job if He is worshipped.  

Puranas says Budhan (mercury) is the son of Chandran (Moon). One will get what one wishes for if prayed to Lord Mercury. Main deity here is Lord Venkattunathar (Lord Shiva), His Consort, Bahmavidya Nayaki. This temple is located near Mayiladuthurai and is 10 km from Vaidheeshwaran Koil. Lord Budhan (Mercury) is associated with education, knowledge, music, astrology, maths, sculpture and medical fields.  Those wants to cure the Dosham, can donate green color clothes wear green color stones, jewellery and pray at this temple.

Planet Mars is associated with Red color, Tuesday and is the God of War.  If regularly worshipped, Mars is said to bestow great physical strengths to its devotees. Presiding deity is Sri Mangaleswarar and His Consort is Mangalanayaki. Lord Muruga represents the supreme God of Mars, prayers offered to HIM would get innumerable physical strength, fearless forms to face any hardship and situation.  Devotees can fast on Tuesday and offer prayers to HIM.  Vaidheeshwaran Koil is associated with Mars, here Lord Muruga is known as Muthukumaraswamy, main deity is Lord Shiva.

The Moon is the planet of unconscious mind, habits, emotions, stability of mind, frequent change of moods.  It describes how you feel to handle relationship, how emotional you are when responded to situations and experiences, added with daily functions, physical, emotional and mental stability.  Moon is called the Mother Planet, since it rules over moods of children, adult, and elderly.  If Moon's chart is found to be weak, then the person will tend to swing his decisions frequently as he/she is influenced by this planet. Thingaloor is situated on the Thiruvaiyaru-Kumbakonam route. It is believed that if one visits this place and worships the Lord here, they will be rid of diseases.
 

The famous temple of Naganathar-Girigujambigai in Thirunageswaram, in Tanjore district houses the equally famous shrine of Rahu Bhagavan and His two Consorts.  During 1986, the molted skin of a 5-foot-long snake was found draped over the Rahu Bhagwan idol.  It is still preserved and worshipped in temple.  Those having Naaga doshas do pariharams in the Navagraha sthala by donating a stone Naaga idol.  If Rahu is in a good position in one's horoscope, then the man will get a good wife, good servant and acquire great wealth.  He will succeed in politics and may get a chance to rule. Praying during Raahu Kaalam on Sundays can ensure a good life and prosperity.  Also a person with Raahu dosham can pray to Durgai and Naagaraja.  Rahu takes one-&-a-half years to move from one graham to another, those afflicted with leprosy, diseases of the intestines, cough, boils can get relief by praying to Rahu.
 

The temple for Lord Kethu is situated in Keezhperumpallam, Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu.  Lord Shiva blessed the snake to be enshrined in a temple in the bamboo forest and relieve devotees from the ill-effects of 'Kethu', one of the Navagrahas.  In this temple, Lord Kethu faces west in the north praharam, He appears with the body in divine form, His head as a five-headed snake and hands folded in Prayer.  Both Kethu and Rahu planets are known as "Chaaya Grahams'.  Kethu's blessing is needed to reach the heavenly abode, if it is strong in horo, he will be spiritually inclined and indulge in religious activities after middle age.  The stars that fall under Kethu are Ashwini, Maham and Moolam.  Lord Vinaayaka is associated with Kethu and performing Archanai to Lord Vinayaka would relieve the sufferings.  Stone: Vaidooryam (Cat's eye), donation recommended : Kollu (Horse Gram), Cloth Multi colored cloth.