Pazhur Navagraha Sthalam

Pazhur, a quaint village nestled approximately 15 kilometers away from Trichy city within Tamil Nadu, India, marks a spot along the Trichy-Karur route. Within the scope of this article, we delve into a prominent temple that graces this region.

Revered in this village is the Navagraha temple, also known as Navagraha Sthalam locally. This temple draws inhabitants from Pazhur and neighboring areas, as the prevailing belief hails the Navagrahas here for their remarkable potency. Yet, the temple's true essence lies in its identity as a Shiva temple, dedicated to the presiding deity Vishwanatha Shiva Linga.

Although diminutive in size, the temple houses a modest Linga as its central figure. Positioned to the east, the sanctum radiates its presence. Adjacent to this, a southward-facing sanctuary hosts an image of the Goddess Vishalakshi.

Compellingly, the temple encompasses various sub-shrines. Among them are those dedicated to Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, and Chandikeshwara. The divine forms of Surya, Bhairava, and Shaneeswara also grace this sacred space.

The year 1932 CE saw the installation of the Navagraha idols, a directive attributed to the esteemed Kanchi Maha Swamigal. Each graha, or celestial body, is accompanied by their respective consorts, accompanied by symbolic representations of their vaahans, or animal mounts, depicted in bas-reliefs beneath them. Adding to this distinct arrangement, the twelve Rasis, or zodiac signs, are positioned below the Navagrahas, rendering this arrangement truly exceptional.

Believed to originate from a later Pandya era, the temple's antiquity contrasts its contemporary upkeep, or lack thereof. The faithful devotion of devotees has left a trace of oil throughout the temple's interior, bearing witness to their religious practices. An extensive refurbishment has modernized the aged temple with concrete, yet the elements of heritage, history, and sculptures remain sparse, disappointing enthusiasts of these aspects.

Happy travelling.