Surya or Sun .

Surya is the chief, the solar deity, one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa and

one of his wife Aditi

He has hair and arms of gold. His chariot is pulled by seven horses,

which represent the seven chakras.

He presides as "Ravi" over "Ravi-war" or Sunday.

Surya is the lord of vegetation and breathing.He claims the first puja in

siva puja and yaga puja.

He is the God - a living God - whom everyone can see, perceive and pray.

Though he is visible, he also has been presented in a variety of forms.

He is the life-giver and time-giver.

In Hindu religious literature, Surya is notably mentioned as the visible

form of God that one can see every day.

Furthermore, Shaivites and Vaishnavas often regard Surya as an aspect

of Shiva and Vishnu, respectively.

For example, the sun is called Surya Narayana by Vaishnavas.

In Shaivite theology, Surya is said to be one of eight forms of Shiva,

named the Astamurti.

He is said to be of Sattva Guna and represents the Soul,the King, highly

placed persons or Father.

The Suryanar temple is located 12kms from Kumbakonam enroute to

Mayavaram.

Surya's wives are Usha, Prathyusha.

The presiding deities are Puranavaradheeswarar and his consort

Mangalanayaki.

Surya is the Lord of Simma Rasi and occupies the central place amongst

the navagrahas.

The adidevatha is Agni, prathyutha Devatha - Rudran.

His colour is red and his vahana is a chariot drawn by seven horses.

The grain associated with his is wheat;

the flower - lotus, yerukku;

fabric - red clothes;

gem - ruby;

food - wheat, rava, chakkara pongal.

In the six sects established by Adi Sankara, Souram is one devoted to

Sun God.

Even in other religions, Sun worship has place.

In the Zodiac, Sun occupies a prominent place - the Center.

The griha is the source of life and He is therefore described as the life-

giver (Pranadhata).

He helps one gain his eyesight and Suryanamaskar (worship by

prostration) will strengthen one's bones, cure illness, however sever it

may be, cleanses the devotee from his sins and bestows on him progeny,

wealth, good-health and long life.

He is the cause for rain-fall benefiting the world.

The Vedas adore him as a witness of all actions (Sakshi).

Worship of this devata on Sunday is supposed to bring in manifold

benefits to the worshippers.

He is the lord of Leo in the Zodiac.

He stays one month in each Rasi and takes 365 days or 12 months to

complete a round of 12 Rasis.

Suryanarayana Temple - Tamil Nadu Suryanarayana Temple, popluarly

known as Suryanar-Koli, is about 3 kms. from the Aduturai railway

station on the Southern Railway main line from Madras to Thanjavur.

There are also temples to Sun at Konark in Orissa and Modhera in

Gujarat.

CHANDRA (MOON)

Chandra is a lunar deity. Chandra (moon) is also known as Soma and

identified with the Vedic Lunar deity Soma.

He is described as young, beautiful, fair; two-armed and having in his

hands a club and a lotus.

He rides his chariot (the moon) across the sky every night, pulled by ten

white horses or an antelope.

He is connected with dew, and as such, is one of the gods of fertility.

He is also called Nishadipati (Nisha=night; Adipathi=Lord) and

Kshuparaka (one who illuminates the night).

He as Soma, presides over Somvarm or Monday. He is of Sattva Guna

and represents the Mind, the Queen or Mother.

He is married to daughters of Daksha Prajapathi.

He has therefore 27 wives, representing twenty seven Nakshatras

(constellations). Budha (the planet Mercury) was born to Soma and

Taraka.

CHANDRA (MOON) is a lovable God - a loving god.

Pleasing to children as well as elders universally appealing to everyone

whatever may be the religion of the onlooker.

Sages and devotees invoke the Goddess Mother in Chandra and meditate

for hours.

CHANDRA causes nightfall strengthens the mind, purifies the blood and

is considered as the mother who radiates nectar (Amrut).

Worship of this griha is said to be beneficial for relief from all sorrows,

helps in curing mental afflictions. etc.

His cool rays radiate happiness around.

He adores the head of Lord Siva.

Worshipping Chandra on Mondays is said to be very effective in getting

one's prayers answered.

In the Zodiac he is the lord of Cancer.

He stays 2 1/4 days in each Rasi completing a round of the 12 Rasis in 27

days .

Chandran is also hailed as Thingal and his abode is Thingalur. it is here

that Chndran prayed to Lord Siva and got his blessings.

As Chandran is held in the locks of Lord Siva, all devotees who worship

Easwaran have also to worship this planet.

The Devas and asuras were churning the paarkadal using Mandira Malai

and the snake Vasuki.

The asuras held the head portion of the snake and the devas, the tail

portion.

The poison emitted by Vasuki was consumed by Lord Siva to save the

devas, but the toxicity of venom affected the Devas who swooned on its

impact.

Alongwith the nectar (amirtham), Chandran emerged and it was he who

revived the Devas.

Apputhi Adigal was born in Thingalur. he was an ardent follower of

Thirunavukkarasar, without ever laying his eyes on the great soul.

He did a lot of welfare activity in his hometown in the name of

Thirunavukkarasar.

During his visit to this holytown Thirunavukkarasar heard about Apputhi

Adigal and visited his abode and consented to partake in the meal

offered in his honour.

To serve food for Thirunavukkarasar, Apputhi Adigal sent his son to the

garden to fetch a plantain leaf.

When on this errand, a snake bit him and the lad passed away.

Not wishing to disappoint his guest, Apputhi Adigal covered the corpse

of his son and tried to serve his mentor.

But realising the situation, Thirunavukkarasar carried the corpse to the

temple of Lord siva in Thingalur and revived the boy singing and

imploring the Lord with Thirupadigam.

Dosham to mother, mental retardation, skin and nerve problems,

jaundice, fluid accumalation are the diseases caused becaus eof Chandra

dosham.

By praying to Lord Chandran, the above afflictions can be overcome.

Wealth, mother's/wife's happiness, Govt's help, ownership of vehicle,

marriage, offsprings, prosperity, foreign travel will be bestowed on his

devotees.

The sthalam of Chandran is Thingalur, which is located 36kms from

Kumbakonam, enroute to Thiruvaiyaru.

Chandran's wife is Rohini.

The presiding deity are Kailasanathar and his consort

Periyanayakiamman.

Chandran is the Lord of Kadaga Rasi and he faces the South-East

direction.

The Adi Devatha is water; prathyathi Devatha is Gowri;

his colour is white and

his vahana is white horse.

The grain associated with him is paddy, rice;

the folwer - white arali;

fabric - white cloth;

gem - pearl;

food - curd rice.

Mangala or MARS

Mangala is the god of Mars, the red planet. Mars is also called Angaraka

('one who is red in colour') or Bhauma ('son of Bhumi') in Sanskrit.

He is the god of war and is celibate.

He is considered the son of Prithvi or Bhumi, the Earth Goddess.

He is the owner of the Aries and Scorpio signs, and a teacher of the

occult sciences (Ruchaka Mahapurusha Yoga).

He is of Tamas Guna in nature and represents Energetic action,

confidence and ego.

He is painted red or flame colour, four-armed, carrying a trident, club,

lotus and a spear.

His Vahana (mount) is a ram.

He presides over 'Mangal-war'

Chevvai Bhagavan is worshipped in the town of Vaideeswaran Koil which

is also called Thirupullirukku Velur.

Sambathi, Jadayu, Lord Muruga, Suriyan are also reputed to have

worshipped in this sthalam.

Even diseases that could not get cured by Mani Manthira Aushathangal

got cured at this place and the presiding deity came to be called

Vaidyanathar.

His consort who was the chief of women of both worlds is hailed as

Thayal Nayagi.

Selva Muthukumarasami of this temple is lovingly called Muthiah.

Kumaragurubarasami wrote the book "Muthukumarasami Pillai Thamizh".

Once, when Lord Shiva was in deep meditation, perspiration from his

third eye fell on earth.

The male child that was born of this sweat drop was Angaragan

(Chevvai).

Angaragan married Sakthi Devi of Avanti town and had a son called

Sumarasan.

Problems from wife/children/brothers, enimity with friends, loss of

wealth, quarrels, problems with Govt., lasting poverty, anger, bad

friendship, Kalathira Dosham are because of Chevvai.

By praying to him, a person can offset the problems arising out of his

afflictions. Brothers and sisters, physical strength, victory, valour are the

beneficial aspects of this planet.

The sthalam of Chevvai Bhagavan is Vaideeswaran koil, which is located

6kms from Sirgazhi en route to Mayavaram.

His wives are Malini, Susilini.

The presiding deity are Vaidyanathan and his consort Thaiyal Nayaki.

Chevvai is the Lord of Mesha and Vrichika Rasi and he faces South

direction.

The Adi Devatha is Boomidevi; Prathyathi Devatha is Kshetra Balagan;

his colour is red and his vahana is the ram.

The grain associated with him is thuvarai;

the flowers - shenbagam and red arali;

fabric - red cloth;

gem - coral;

food- rice mixed with toor dhal powder.

In the Zodiac. ANGARAKA or MARS is regarded as a God of martial

character, red in every aspect.

Even the Romans held him as their Guru.

A prayer to this planet frees one from debts, poverty and illness

afflicting the skin.

This griha bestows property and conveyance (Locomotion).

Loss of eyesight can be restored by a prayer to Angaraka.

Tuesdays are intended for the worship of Angaraka who loves the

chanting of Sama Veda.

In the Zodiac, He is the Lord of "Mesha" and "Vrischika".

He stays 1 1/2 months in each Rasi taking 18 months to complete the

cycle.

He has a separate shrine at Vaitheeswaran Koil in Tamii Nadu.

BUDHA or MERCURY

BUDHA or MERCURY is considered as the greatest among the wise. This

Devata bestows wisdom and wealth etc. on his devotees.

He removes evil thoughts from their minds.

He is the chief among Gnanis ( Realized souls).

He is considered Vishnu Rupi, because of his beauty and resemblance A

prayer to Him, especially on Wednesdays brings in manifold benefits like

removal of all obstacles, helps one to get a progeny, possession of fertile

lands etc.

In the Zodiac this devata is the Lord of Mithuna and Kanya.

He stays like the Sun, one month in each Rasi completes the cycle in 12

months, more or less closely in the footsteps of the Sun.

Budha is the god of the planet Mercury and the son of Chandra (the

moon) with Tara (Taraka).

He is also the god of merchandize and protector of Merchants.

He is of Rajas Guna and represents Communication.

He is represented as being mild, eloquent and of greenish colour.

He is represented holding a scimitar, a club and a shield, riding a winged

lion in Ramghur temple. In other illustrations ,

he holds a sceptre and lotus and rides a carpet or an eagle or a chariot

drawn by lions.

Budha presides over 'Budh-war' or Wednesday

Jupiter or Guru(Brihaspati)

Brihaspati is the name of a Vedic deity, personification of piety and

religion, the chief offerer of prayers and sacrifices, represented as the

Purohita of the gods with whom he intercedes for men.

He is the Lord of planet Jupiter. He is of Sattva Guna and represents

knowledge and teaching.

According to Hindu scriptures, he is the guru of the Devas and the arch-

nemesis of Shukracharya, the guru of the Danavas.

He is also known Guru, the god of wisdom and eloquence, to whom

various works are ascribed, such as the "atheistic" Barhaspatya sutras.

He is described of yellow or golden colour and holding a stick, a lotus

and his beads. He presides over 'Guru-war' or Thursday.

The Devas, when churning the paarkadal for nectar, were hindered by

the poisonous fumes from the snake Vasuki and prayed to Lord Siva for

deliverance.

Lord Siva consumed the deadly poison (Ala Visham), thus giving rise to

the name Alangudi to this sthalam and the Lord came to be called

Aabathsagayar.

Lord Ganesha subdued Gajamuhasuran who gave the Devas a horrid time

and he is thus worshipped in this sthalam as 'Kalangaamal kaatha

Vinayagar'.

Ambal undertook severe penance and married Lord Siva and hence this

place is hailed as Thirumana Mangalam.

This sthalam is the Parivara sthalam for Madhyarjuna Mahalinga

Peruman.

This is the fourth amongst the Panchavarunya Sthalas. Vishwamithrar,

Thirumal, Brahma, Lakshmi, Garuda, Ashta Thikku Balagas, Ayyanar,

Veera Badrar, Mukunda Chakravarthy, Suvasanan, Sundarar have

worshipped at this sthala.

Lord Siva as a ferryman(boatman) was helping Sundaramurthy Swamigal

cross the river (Vettaru) which was in spate, to reach this sthalam.

The boat capsized hitting a rock, when halfway.

Lord siva seated on his Rishaba Vahana helped him reach the sthala

safely.

Sundarar received his Gnanaupadesam after his darshanam of

Dakshinamurthy at this sthala.

Fame, wealth, siblings are the beneficial aspects of Guru.

The sthlam of Guru Bhagavan is Alangudi, 17 kms from Kumbakonam

enroute to Mannargudi.

His wives are Tharai, Sangini.

The presiding deities are Kasi Aaranyeswarar and his consort

Elavarkuzhali.

Guru is the Lord of Dhanusu and Meena Rasi and he faces North

direction.

The Adi Devatha is Brahma and the Prathyathi Devatha is Indran.

His colour is yellow and

his vahana is elephant.

The grain assciated with him is kadalai;

the flower - white mullai;

fabric - yellow cloth;

gem - pushparagam(white topaz);

food - rice mixed with bengal

gram dhal powder.

Worship of BRIHASPATI or GURU (JUPITER) Devata results in a cure from

ailments affecting the stomach and helps one to ward off his/her sins,

helps him/her in gaining strength, valor, longevity etc.

He grants the boon of father-hood to the childless, good education

(Vidya). He is revered as the Guru of Devas, protector of the world and is

a Sreshta among the wise. Kind-hearted he is considered the Loka Guru

and dispenser of justice and can be known only by a proper study of the

Vedas.

Thursdays are considered to be the best day for the worship of Jupiter.

In the Zodiac. He is the Lord of Dhanus and Meena.

Guru stays for one year in each Rasi, taking 12 years to complete the

cycle.

Venus or Sukran.

Shukra the Sanskrit for "clear, pure" or "brightness, clearness", is the

name the son of Bhrigu and Ushana, and preceptor of the Daityas, and

the guru of the Asuras, identified with the planet Venus - Shukracharya.

He presides over 'Shukra-war' or Friday. He is Rajas in nature and

represents wealth, pleasure and reproduction.

He is of white complexion, middle-aged and of agreeable countenance.

He is described variously mounted, on a camel or a horse or a crocodile.

He holds a stick, beads and a lotus and sometimes a bow and arrow.

In Astrology, there is a dasha or planetary period known as Shukra

Dasha which remains active in a person's horoscope for 20 years.

This dasha is believed to give more wealth, fortune and luxury to one's

living if a person has Shukra positioned well in his horoscope as well as

Shukra being an important benefic planet in his/her horoscope.

He had got the blessings from Lord Siva after severe penances.

In the Vamana Avataram of Lord Vishnu, Vamana sought three foot steps

of land from Mahabali, an asura king.

Realising Vamana to be no mere mortal, Sukrachariyar assumed the form

of a bee and tried to block the flow of water from the kamandalam.

Vamana picking up a pavithram blinds Sukracharya in one eye while

trying to unclog the hole in the kamandalam.

Sukracharyar has the prowess to bring the dead to living by virtue of his

knowledge of Amirtha Sanjeevini Mantra.

Using this mantra, in the asura war against the devas, he revived the

slain asuras.

This helped the asura army swell. The devas prayed to Lord Siva for help,

who swallowed up Sukracharya in a fit of rage.

After residing in Lord SIva's stomach in a siddha state, he emerged from

Lord Siva's stomach.

Sukra endows those who pray to him with wealth, pleasure, wife,

prosperity, vehicles. He is the next most beneficial planet after Guru.

If in a person's horoscope, Sukra is well placed, then the person will

enjoy pleasure, beautiful wife, wealth, house, vehicle, good food, fame,

love, affection, marraige, siblings, governmental help, chance to govern

the country/state and hold influential status.

If in a bad position, the ward will experience a family devoid of love and

ties, bad life, enimity amongst family and friends, Kalathira dosham. By

praying to Sukra these problems could be mitigated. Wife, arts,

sculpture, love, vehicles are the beneficial aspects of Sukra.

The sthalam of Sukra Bhagavan is Kanjanur, which is located 3kms from

Suryanar koil, enroute to Mayavaram.

His wives are Subakirthi, Sundari and Sringini.

The presiding deity are Agneeswarar and his consort Iswari.

The presiding deity Agneeswarar is the embodiment of Sukran.

Sukrachariar was the Guru of asuras.

He is the Lord of Rishaba and Thula Rasi and faces East direction.

The Adi Devatha is Indra's physician.

His colour is white;

his vahana is the crocodile;

the grain associated with him is mochai;

the flower - white lotus;

fabric - white cloth;

gem - diamond;

food - rice mixed with mochai powder.

Sukra is the bestower of long life, wealth, happiness, children, property

and good education.

He is the Guru for Asuras. Well learned in Neeti Sastras follower of such

sastras and one who dispenses justice,

Sukra is considered a beneficial devata.

He blesses the devotees with power to control one's Indriyas (Sense

organs) and enables the devotee to obtain fame and name.

Fridays are considered to be effective for the worship of Sukra.

In the Zodiac, he is the Lord of Tulo. Sukra takes one year to complete

the Zodiac cycle living one month in each Rasi.

Saturn or Shani

Shani is one of the nine primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology (that

is, Vedic astrology).

Shani is embodied in the planet Saturn. Shani is the Lord of Saturday.

He is Tamas in nature and represents learning the hard way, Career and

Longevity.

The origin of word Shani comes from the following: Shanaye Kramati Sa:

i.e. the one who moves slowly.

Saturn takes about 30 years to revolve around the Sun, thus it moves

slowly compared to other planets.

Shani is actually a demi-god and is a son of Surya (the Hindu Sun God)

and his wife Chhaya.

It is said that when he opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time,

the sun went into an eclipse, which clearly denotes the impact of Shani

on astrological charts (horoscope).

He is depicted dark in colour, clothed in black; holding a sword, arrows

and two daggers and variously mounted on a black crow or a raven.

He is depicted at other times as ugly, old, lame and having long hair,

teeth and nails.

He presides over 'Shani-war' or Saturday.

Sani Bhagavan waiting to aspect Nala, noticed that he had not washed

the back portion of his feet, while preparing for his prayers.

Deciding this was the opportune time, he aspected Nala.

Because of this, Nala lost his composure and lost his kingdom to

Pudkaran in a game of dice and sent his children to their uncle's house.

Nala departed to the forest with his wife Damayanti.

Saneeswaran created trouble even there and made Nala desert his wife

in the forest.

The snake Karkotagan bit Nala, making him lose his stature (was made

to look ugly).

He took on the job of a charioteer with king Irudhupannan.

Damayanti, in the meantime reached the kingdom of her father, and

arranged a Swayamvara to locate Nala.

Damyanti identified Nala, the charioteer as her husband. Thanks to a

boon from Karkodagan, Nala regained his old form.

In spite of being back with his wife, Nala feeling very disturbed, sought

the solace of sage Bharadwaja and on his advice reached Thirunallar.

He bathed in the Brahma Thirtham of the temple, and when he entered

the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, Saneeswaran departed from him.

The presiding deities are Dharbaranyeswarar (Swaymbumurti) and his

consort Bogamartha Poon Mulayal.

Saneeswaran resides in each Rasi for a period of 2 1/2 years.

When Saneeswaran resides in the 12th, 1st and 2nd house, it is 7 1/2

Naatu Sani ;

when in the 4th house, it is Arthashtama Sani;

when in the 8th house, it is Ashtama Sani.

During these periods, he troubles the native.

Problems from Govt., peers, wife, children, slowdown in business, loss of

property, leprosy are caused by transit of Sani.

In a person's life, 7 1/2 Naatu Sani aspects thrice, the first called Mangu

Sani, the second called Pongu Sani and the third called Marana Sani.

Saneeswaran is reputed to be both, a giver and destroyer.

A person who prays to Saneeswaran will be blessed with not only

riddance from the problems and worries faced, but a life that one

desires. T

he sthalam of Sani Bhagavan is Thirunallaru, which is located 3kms from

Karaikal, enroute to Peralam.

His wives are Neela Devi and Manga Devi.

He is the Lord of Maharam and Kumba Rasis and faces the West

direction.

The Adi Devatha is Yaman and the Prathyathi Devatha is Prajapathi.

His colour is black;

his vahana the crow;

the grain associated with him is gingelley;

the flower - vanni and black kuvalai;

fabric - black cloth;

gem - neelam (blue saphire);

food - rice mixed with gingelle.

Rahu

Rahu is the Head of Demon Snake that swallows the sun or the moon

causing eclipses according to Hindu scriptures.

He is depicted in art as a dragon with no body riding a chariot drawn by

eight black horses.

He is an Tamas Asura who does his best to plunge any area of one's life

he controls into chaos.

The rahu kala is considered inauspicious.

According to legend, during the Samudra manthan, the asura Rahu drank

some of the divine nectar.

But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini (the female avatar of

Vishnu) cut off his head.

The head, however, remained immortal and is called Rahu , while the

rest of the body became Ketu.

It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or

the moon, causing eclipses.

Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending

the eclipse.

The king of the nagas, Rahu prayed to Lord Siva and hence this place got

the name Thirunageswaram.

Here Rahu Bhagavan has manifested with both his consorts.

At this sthala, the colour of milk changes from white to blue during

Abhishekam.

On 16.2.86, a snake had shed off its outer skin on Rahu Bhagavan, which

is preserved and worshipped to date.

The abode of Uppiliappan, which is also hailed as 'South Tirupathi', is

situated very close to this temple.

Of the 127 temples located to the South of river Cauvery, this temple is

amongst the most prominent.

Suryan, Vinayagar, Gautamar, Nalan, Parasarar, Pandavas, Vasishtar,

Indran, Brahma, Bageerathan, Chandrasenan, Adiseshan, Kakkan

Karkodagan, Sounagar, Nargunan have prayed and benefited at this

sthala.

King Sambumali who had incurred the wrath of sage Kaalangiri, attained

moksha after bathing in the temple tank and praying to the Lord and

Ambal of this temple.

Rahu is the source of plenty. Kalathra dosham, puthira dosham,

communicable diseases, mental disorders, leprosy, fall in grace are

caused by Rahu dosham.

Praying to Rahu at this sthala helps rid a person from these factors and

also saves the person from all poisonous life forms.

Trips to holy places, Gnanmarkam are his beneficial aspects.

The sthalam of Rahu is Thirunageswaram, which is located 6 kms from

Kumbakonam, enroute to Karaikal.

The presiding deities are Naaganaadar and Girigujaambigai.

He faces the South-West direction. The Adi Devatha is Durga and the

Prathyathi Devatha is the snake.

His colour is black,

his vahana is blue lion;

the grain associated with him is orid;

the flower-mandarai;

fabric-black cloth;

gem- Komedagam;

food-rice mixed with orid dhal powder.

The Skanda Purana says that Rahu is instrumental in strengthening ones

power and converting even an enemy into a friend

The effect of snake bite is removed by his grace.

The lunar and solar eclipses are attributed to Rahu and Ketu Rahu and

Ketu stay 1 1/2 years in each Griha.

Ketu

Ketu is generally referred to as a "shadow" planet. He is considered as

Tail of the Demon Snake.

It is believed to have a tremendous impact on human lives and also the

whole creation.

In some special circumstances it helps someone achieve the zenith of

fame.

He is Tamas in nature and represents supernatural influences.

Ketu brings prosperity to the devotee's family removes the effect of

snakebite and illness arising out of poisonous matter entering one's

body

He grants good health, wealth, cattle and all around prosperity.

Persons afflicted by Kethu dosham are stricken with fears of dacoity, bad

habits, loss of property, loss of face, putra dosham.

By praying to Kethu Bhagavan, one can be rid of the doshams.

Motcham, sight, property, land, gold, vehicle, fame, wife, children,

happiness, unexpected property gains are the beneficial aspects of

Kethu Bhagavan.

Knowledge, business, leprosy, poisonous bites are the aspects of this

planet.

Keezhperumpallam sthala varalaru, dosham and remedial measures

The sthalam of Kethu is Keezhperumpallam, which is located 6 kms from

Thiruvengaadu, enroute to Poompuhar.

His wife is Chitralekha.

The presiding deities are Naaganaadaswamy and his consort Ambal.

He faces the North-West direction.

The Adi Devatha is Chitraguptan and the Prathyathi Devatha is Brahma;

his colour is red and his vahana is the eagle;

the grain associated with him is khollu;

the flower - red alli (lily);

fabric - multi coloured cloth;

gem - Vaidooriyam (cat's eye);

food - rice mixed with khollu powder.

This place is also called Vanagiri.

Kethu prayed to Naaganaadhaswami and was blessed and rid of his sins

by Lord Siva.

It is rare to find Kethu with his head.

At this sthala, he can be seen worshipping Naaganaadhaswami with his

folded hands held high.

Mythology

The devas and asuras churned the Paarkadal to obtain amirtham that

would free them from death, keeping them alive for ever.

When the amirtham emerged, Lord Vishnu in the guise of Mohini was

distributing the amirtham only to the devas.

He was worried that the evil deeds of the asuras will increase multifold if

they consumed amirtham.

Realising this, one of the asuras with the help of the asura guru

Sukrachariyar, took the form of a deva and consumed the nectar.

Suryan and Chandran who noticed this, complained to Lord Narayana.

In anger, Lord Narayana hit the asura on the head with the spoon in his

hand.

The head was cut off and fell on the ground.

But because the asura had consumed amirtham, his head and body

continued to live.

The head portion of the asura attached itself to a snake body to become

Rahu Bhagavan.

The body portion that was thrown away fell in Pothigai mountain region.

This was found and preserved by a Brahmin.

The head of a snake got attached to the asura body to become Kethu.