History, Importance, Rituals, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Navgrah Temple, near Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha
The Navagraha Temple or the Nine Planet Temple is very famous shrine located outside the Sun Temple Complex, Konark, Odisha. This temple is dedicated to nine celestial bodies of Hindu Astronomy and it is names as Nine Planet Shrine. The Nine celestial bodies are Surya (Sun), Mangala (Mars), Chandra (Moon), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Ketu (South Lunar Node) and Rahu (North Lunar Node). The nine bodies are adorned with coloured clothes with each representing a different Grahas.
As it is written in Puranas, each idol is being sited on lotus while holding a Rosary and Kamandalu in their hands followed by a crown on the heads. Firstly there were only eight Shrines during the earlier period but after the Ganga Period the Ninths Shrine of Ketu came into existence. However the cruel hands of time did not permit the slab to remain in its original form. It was tried to removed and placed to Calcutta for exhibiting but they failed and destroyed the originality of the temple was destroyed. The bigger part of the Slab lies in the southern eastern corner outside the compound.
Idol of nine planets made with black chlorite stone and richly ornamented on huge chlorite slab of around 20 feet long, four feet high and 7 feet deep. This stone slab was originally placed above the temple's ornamental doorways but now put inside the Navagraha Temple. The unique characteristics of each planet can be observed in design and postures. Like Sun stands on a chariot with seven horses and holds two lotuses hands, Chandra (Moon) rides on a swan and carries discs of moon in hands, Mangala (Mars) the lord of battle, holds a kattara (cutter) and few human heads in hand and sited on goat.
Budha (Mercury) sits on a lotus and holds bow and arrow in hand, Vrihaspati (Jupiter) highest priest of the Devatas (Gods), with Mala and kamandalu in his hands, Sukra (Venus) is believed to be the priest of the Ashuras (demons). Excepting the blindness of one eye and idol is not clearly visible.
Sani(Saturn) rides on a tortoise and holds a rod in his one hand, Rahu(Ascending Node) represent him as a monster and a fierce aspect of the Sun and Moon with holding the Sun in one hand and the Moon in the other. Ketu(Descending Node) hold the noose of the snake in one hand and with the other, a sword.
During many special days and on Saturdays many visitors comes to worship the Graha and offers the Bhog to them.
How to reach Nine Planet Shrine – Navgrah Temple, Near Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha
Konark is very famous tourist destination situated in the Puri district. There are a lot of private rides which take you to the temple from Puri or Bhubaneshwar. Konark Bus Stand is just at a distance of 6 kms from the Sun Temple. The nearest Railway Station is Puri Railway Station at a distance of 30 kms from Konark. The nearest Air Connectivity is in Bhubaneshwar which is 65 kms from the Sun Temple.
