Navathirupathi (Temples) is a group of nine Hindu temples
dedicated to Lord Vishnu located on the Tiruchendur Tirunelveli route, Tamilnadu, India, on the banks of Thamiraparani river. All these 9 temples are classified as “Divya
Desams“, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet
saints, or Alwars.
Divya Desams refer to 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in
the works of the Tamil Azhwars (saints). While 105 of these are
located in India, 1 is in Nepal and the remaining 2 are located
outside of the Earthly realms.
These Navathiruppathis in the Pandya region are recognized on par with the
Navagrahaa temples in the Chola country (Surya – Thirumangalakkudi,
Chandra – Thingaloor, Angaarakan – Putthirukku Velur, Budha –
Thiruvenkaadu, Guru – Aalangudi, Sukra – Kanjanoor, Shani –
Thirunallaar, Raahu– Thirunageswaram, Ketu – Keezhperumpallam).
• In these Vishnu temples, the Prime Deities themselves are worshipped as the
Navagrahaas and so there are no separate shrines for the Navagrahaas, as
found in other temples. It is said that offering of worship to these deities alleviate
the malignant influences of the Navagrahaas that come about during one’s
lifetime.