Alongside dosha-specific pujas, many pilgrims also book a Navgrah Puja โ a ritual addressing all nine astrological influences at once rather than a single affliction. Knowing what Navgrah refers to explains why temples often keep a dedicated Navgrah shrine on their premises.
What is Navgrah?
Navgrah refers to the nine celestial bodies recognized in Vedic astrology: the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and the two lunar nodes, Rahu and Ketu.
Navgrah Puja
Each is believed to influence different aspects of a person's life. A Navgrah Puja is performed to balance the combined influence of all nine, often alongside a specific Dosha remedy.
Navgrah shrines at temples
Many larger temples maintain a separate Navgrah shrine โ nine small idols or symbols arranged together, each representing one celestial body โ where pilgrims can offer prayers to all nine directly. Devotees often circle this shrine or offer items associated with a specific planet, such as black sesame for Saturn, when addressing a particular concern.
