Nava Kailasam (Kayilayam) Kshetras are nine temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the either side of Thamiraparani River in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts in Tamilnadu. The Nava Kailasam is considered as Navagraha (the nine planets) Temples. Devotees worship in these temples for relief from the adverse effects of the planets in their life. Once Sage Agasthiyar was doing penance in the Podhikai hills. One of his prime disciples Romesa munivar prayed to Lord Shiva seeking liberation. The Lord was pleased and wanted to bless him through his Guru Agasthiyar.

Sage Agasthiyar put nine flowers in the Thamaraparani river and asked Romesa munivar to install a shiva lingam as kailasha nathar, wherever the flowers dock on the bank and finally bathe and worship the Lord in the place where the river joins the ocean, by doing so he would get what he prayed. Adhering as per his guru’s advise, Romesa munivar got liberated. These nine abodes of Lord Shiva are called Nava Kailasam each representing one planet.

List of Nava Kailasam Temples and its related Grahas (Planets)
  • Papanasam temple - SURYA(Sun)
  • Cheran Mahadevi temple - CHANDRAN (Moon)
  • Kodaganallur temple - MANGALA (Mars)
  • Thenthiruperai temple - BUDHA (Mercury)
  • Murappanadu temple - GURU (Jupiter)
  • Sernthamangalam temple - SHUKRA (Venus)
  • Srivaikuntam temple - SHANI (Saturn)
  • Kunnathur temple - RAHU (North node)
  • Rajapathy temple - KETHU (South node)

As per the Legend, During the Lord Siva and Paravati Devi Wedding, sages started gathering at Mount Kailash. Due to the mass gathering, the North region went down and the South region moved up. To balance the Earth, Lord Siva asked Sage Agasthya to stay at South so that it can be balanced. Sage Romasa disciple of Sage Agasthya expressed his wish to install Siva Lingas at this place. Sage Agasthya asked him to leave 9 Lotus flowers in the river Thamirabarani and install Siva Linga at the place where the Lotus touches the bank. Hence, Nine Siva Lingas were installed at Nine different Places by Sage Romasa as instructed by his master.

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