Navagraha (Pron: nævəˈgrɑ:ə) pilgrimages are pilgrimages devoted to Navagraha—the nine (nava) major celestial bodies (Grahas) of Hindu astronomy. These temples are made of stone. These celestial bodies are named Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node). Many temples in South India contain a shrine dedicated to the Navagrahas. However, the term Navagraha temples refers to a cluster of nine separate temples, each an abode of one of the Navagrahas. Navagraha temples in Kerala In Kerala, the Navagraha temples are rare, like other states. Unlike other Navagraha temples,Kilimarathukavu navagraha temple is elliptical in structure, much like the galaxy. Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu The Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu date from the Chola dynasty. As per Hindu legend, Sage Kalava was suffering from serious ailments along with leprosy. He prayed to the Navagrahas, the nine planet deities. The planets were pleased by his devotion and offered cure to the sage. Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, was angered, as he felt that the planets had no powers to give boons to humans. He cursed the nine planets to suffer from leprosy and sent them down to earth in Vellerukku Vanam, the white wild flower jungle - the modern Suryanar Kovil. The planets prayed to Shiva to relieve them of the curse. Shiva appeared to them and said that the place belonged to them and they would have to grace the devotees worshipping them from the place. Each temple is located in a different village, and is considered an abode of one of the Navagrahas. However, eight of these temples are dedicated to Shiva. The Surya temple is the only one dedicated to the Graham. In fact, it is dedicated entirely to the worship of the Sun-God and the other navagrahas, the former being the object of worship as the principal deity and the latter as attendant deities. It was built around the 11th or 12th century. The other temples were built earlier, ranging back to 7th-9th century. Surya Navagrahastalam -- Sooriyanar Kovil (Thanjavur District) Chandra Navagrahastalam -- Thingalur (Thanjavur District) Angaarakan Navagrahastalam -- Vaitheeswaran Kovil (Mayiladuthurai district) Budha Navagrahastalam -- Thiruvenkadu (Mayiladuthurai district) Guru Navagrahastalam -- Alangudi (Thiruvarur District) Sukra Navagrahastalam -- Kanjanur (Thanjavur District) Shani Navagrahastalam -- Thirunallar (Karaikal) Raahu Navagrahastalam -- Thirunageswaram (Thanjavur District) Ketu Navagrahastalam -- Keezhperumpallam