HYDERABAD: On the lines of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, which is popular for its Navagraha (nine planets) temples, East Godavari district too is going to house a cluster of Navagraha temples very soon.
As part of its efforts to promote temple tourism in the State, the State government has decided to develop ‘Navagraha Circuit’ in East Godavari district.
The State government on Wednesday gave permission to Sri Buddhavarapu Charitable Trust of Anaparthi in the district, a voluntary organisation which organises the Godavari Harati in Rajahmundry, to construct the Navagraha temples at its own cost. After the construction, the trust will have to handover the temples to the Endowments department for operation and maintenance. Later, the Endowments department will tie up with the Tourism department and run special Navagraha circuit tours from across the country.
According to endowments officials, the Buddhavarapu Trust had earlier requested the State government to permit it to construct Navagraha temples in various pilgrimage centres in East Godavari district. Some of these places are associated with various Grahas.
“After examining the proposal, the State government has decided accord permission to Buddhavarapu Charitable Trust to construct the Navagraha temples,” JSV Prasad, Endowments Principal Secretary, stated.
However, the trust has to construct the temples at its own cost. The plans and designs proposed by the Trust would be vetted by Sthapati and the engineering wing of the Endowments department.
Importance of Navagrahas
Navagrahas (nine planets) have great importance in Hinduism. The Navagrahas are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Guru (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Kuja (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node). It is believed that these nine planetary deities influence human lives..