In Hindu astrology, the
Navagraha (Sanskrit: नवग्रह,
nine planets
or
nine realms) are the nine "planets", personified as celestial beings:
"Nava" means "nine". Graha is sometimes translated as "planet", but the Sun,
Moon, and Rahu and Ketu are not "planets" according to modern astronomy. "Graha"
is sometimes translated as "celestial body", but Rahu and Ketu are not celestial
bodies either. A third translation is celestial god or demi-god, but again, Rahu
and Ketu are Asuras not Devas. Rahu and Ketu are further believed to be only
positions in the planetary paths. A fact common to all navagrahas is that they
have relative movement with respect to the backgound of fixed stars in the
zodiac belt.
There is also a stotra in the praise of the Navagrahas.
"Namah Sooryaya, Chandraya, Mangalaya, Budhaya cha, Guruhu, Shukra,
Shanibhihi cha Rahuve, Ketuve Namaha"
Some people believe that by chanting this stotra, man is relieved from all
his sins and bad effects that may occur due to these grahas on him.
In several parts of India, there are clusters of Navagraha temples. One such
cluster is near the town of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu; another temple is in
Guwahati, Assam.
