Kethu Temple - Keezhaperumpallam - The Ninth of the Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu

Kethu Temple - Keezhaperumpallam Naganathar temple at Keezhaperumpallam which is 8 kms from Thiruvenkadu is the kethu sthalam. Keezhaperumpallam is also known as Vanagari. Here Naganathar is the main deity and His consort is Soundarya Devi. This temple is dedicated to Kethu [South Lunar Node], one of the nine planets or navagraha. Kethu Bhagavan has the head of a snake and the body of an asura. It is rare to see Kethu Bhagavan with his head. Kethu worshiped Shiva here to get rid of his sins. Here he is seen worshiping Naganathar with folded hands.

The devas and the asuras churned the paarkadal [Celestial Ocean] to get the Holy Nectar [Amrutham]. Lord Vishnu decided to distribute it only amongst the devas and not asuras as the amrutham would make the asuras stronger and their atrocities will increase. When Lord Vishnu was distributing the Amrutham amongst the devas, at the behest of Sukracharya, one of the asuras, in the guise of a deva consumed the nectar.

Kethu - Keezhaperumpallam The Sun and the Moon noticed this and complained to Lord Vishnu. An angry Vishnu used his chakrayudham [discus] to cut the asura into two and threw them away. The head joined with a snake’s body to become Rahu Bhagavan. The body portion kept growing because the asura had consumed Amrutham. This later joined with the head of a snake and became Kethu Bhagavan. They prayed to Shiva to get rid of their sin and sought to be included as planets. Their wish was granted by Him.

However, Rahu and Kethu never forgave the Sun and the Moon. They cause eclipses as an act of revenge. Rahu is further classified as Nitya and Parva Rahu. Nitya Rahu keeps tugging at the Moon causing it to wax and wane, while the Parva Rahu swallows the moon causing the lunar eclipse. Kethu causes the solar eclipse

Pooja

Picking up bad habits, property disputes and loss of property, humiliation, lack of Progeny, marriage obstacles are all due to Kethu dosham. This is the parihara sthalam to get rid of the Kethu dosham. He is believed to bestow the following on his devotees; good eyesight, gain in property, fame, vehicle, children etc. Devotees worship Kethu Bhagavan with red Lilly flower, by draping him with multi-coloured cloth and offering Kollu [Horsegram].

Recite the following mantras after sunset facing North-West direction to be relieved of the malefic effects and benefit from his benevolence.

Kethu Moola Mantram: Aum Hrim Krum Krura Rupine Kethave Aim Suh Svaha.

Kethu Gayathri: AUM Chitravarnaya Vidhmahe, Sarparoopaya Dhimahi, Tanno Kethu Prachodayath

Temple Timings: 5.30am to 12 noon and 4pm to 8pm

Temple Phone Number: 04364 275 222