Abstract:
Astrolatry is the worship of heavenly bodies as deities. The Astral worship is an older tradition observed in different parts of the world. At global level, Babylonian associate planets with deities. Similarly in Greco – Roman religion we can see worship of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. In India, astral worship started during Vedic times. The mention of Fire, Sun, Moon and planet worship seen in all four Vedas. The rituals and belief system also developed accordingly. In Tamilnadu, River Cauvery is considered to be very sacred. The delta region of Cauvery is very fertile covered with Agricultural land. The sky is an important element for Agricultural practices. So in delta region there is a certain category of temples meant for astral worship. The Temples dedicated to birth stars, planets and Zodiac are found in this region. In this most of the temple has Lord Shiva as main deity and celestial bodies as attendant deities. This kind of worship is very old which is evident from the literature mentions, oral history and living temple heritage. In the Cauvery delta region, there are nine temples dedicated to nine planets are found. Each temple is believed to be abode of each graha (Planet). There is a parikrama (pilgrim route) connecting these nine temples and at present it is part of navagraha pilgrimage. Those nine temples are very old and architecture of it stands out as unique example for Dravidian temple architecture. In these nine temple intangible aspects are also very important as it is linked with celestial bodies and movement of it in the sky. For thesis Swetharanyeshwar temple complex (abode of budhan – Mercury) has been chosen. Thiruvenkadu is in the verge of transition both tangible and intangible aspect. One of the oldest in the Navagraha temple pilgrimage and revered by all four saints. Thiruvenkadu is very significant as this temple has three form of shiva, Shakthi, three sacred tank and sacred trees. In this case we can see how the faith towards one deity ascending the faith of other. It would be challenging to see the factors affecting values associated with the temple complex and to prepare management plan.
