Navathiruppathi – Nine Holy Temples
The Navat Thirupathi (நவதிருப்பதி) are a group of nine ancient and significant Vishnu temples (Divya
Desams) located along the banks of the Thamirabarani River in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, India.
These temples are unique because each of the nine shrines is associated with one of the nine Navagrahas (celestial
bodies/planets), making them important pilgrimage sites for mitigating planetary influences or doshas
The nine Vaishnava shrines, hailed as ‘Navathiruppathi’ are considered to be related to the ‘Navagrahaas’ or the nine planets or celestial bodies, and the deities in these temples are worshipped as the ‘Navagrahaas’ themselves.
These Navathiruppathis in the Pandya region are recognized on par with the Navagrahaa temples in the Chola country (Surya – Thirumangalakkudi, Chandra – Thingaloor, Angaarakan –
Putthirukku Velur, Budha – Thiruvenkaadu, Guru – Aalangudi, Sukra – Kanjanoor, Shani – Thirunallaar, Raahu– Thirunageswaram, Ketu – Keezhperumpallam).
A Journey Through Nava Tirupathi
Divya Desams refer to 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhwars (saints). While 105 of these are located in India, 1 is in Nepal and the remaining 2 are located outside of the Earthly realms.
