These nine Siva temples are located uniquely on the riverbed of Thamirabarani river. Papanasam Cheranmahadevi Kodaganallur Kunnathur Murappanadu Srivaikuntam Thenthiruperai Rajapathy Senthamangalam, Authoor, Thoothukkudi District

There are 9 Siva temples in Tirunelveli-Thoothukudi areas. The nine shrines are dedicated to navagrahas one for each graha.

1. Papanasam - Suryan (Sun) - Mela Kailasam2. Cheran Mahadevi - Thingal (Moon) - Mela Kailasam3. Kodaganallur - Chevvai(Mars) - Mela Kailasam4.Kunnathur - Rahu - Keezh kailasam5. Murappanadu - Guru (Jupitor) - Keezh kailasam6. Thiruvaikundam - Sani (Saturn) - Keezh kailasam7. Thenthirupperai - Budan (Mercury) - Keezh kailasam8. Raajapathy - Kethu - Keezh kailasam9. Saendha Poomangalam - Sukran (Venus) - Keezh kailasam

As said by Sage Agasthiyar Romasa Maharishi did the same. The first flower docks at Papanasam. Second flower at Cheranmahadevi, third at Kodakanallur, fourth flower at Kunnathur (Sankaani), fifth flower at Murappanadu, sixth atSri Vaikundam, seventh flower at Then Thirupperai, eighth flower at Raajapathi and the last one ninth flower atPoomangalam. So Romasa Maharishi built temples on those places and worshipped and in due course attained mukthi.

The speciality of these temples at each of these Navakailasam temples is considered as an abode of one of the Navagrahams. So making a pilgrimage trip to all the nine temples in shot will have the same effect of what you will get on worshipping at Navagraha Temples.

Nava Kailash Deities and Corresponding Nine Planets or Navagrahas

Let us look at the presiding deities of Nava Kailash or Nava Kailasam and all the shrines here as aspects of a navagraham.

Temples and Deities at Mela Kailasam (Upper Kailash)

Navakailasam Papanasam Navagraha Temple at Tirunelveli: This place is considered as Surya Sthalam (Sun) 

Presiding Deity at Papanasam: Lord Shiva also known in the names of Papanaasar, Mukalinga Nathar, Paramalai Nayakar, Varasa lingar, Mukkalinga Munivar.

Goddess at Papanasam: Ulagammai.

Navakailasam Cheranmahadevi Navagraha Temple at Tirunelveli: This place is considered as Thingal Sthalam (Moon).

Presiding Deity at Cheranmahadevi: Lord Shiva in the name of Ammai Nathar, Kailasanathar.

Goddess at Cheranmahadevi: Aavudai Nayaki.

Navakailasam Kodakanallur Navagraha Temple at Tirunelveli: This place is considered as Chevvai Sthalam (Mars).

Presiding Deity at Kodakanallur: Lord Shivan as Kailasanathar

Goddess at Kodakanallur: Sivagami Ammal

Temples and Deities at Naduk Kailasam (Middle Kailash)

Navakailasam Kunnathur also known as Sankaani Navagraha Temple at Tirunelveli: This place is considered as Rahu Sthalam 

Presiding Deity at Kunnathur Temple: Deity in the name of Kodhaparameshwarar

Goddess at Kunnathur Temple: Sivagami Ambal

Navakailasam Murappanaadu Navagraha Temple at Tirunelveli: This place is considered as Guru Sthalam (Jupiter)

Presiding Deity at Murappanaadu Temple: Lord Siva as Kailasanathar

Goddes at Murappanaadu Temple: Sivami Ambal

Navakailasam Sri Vaikundam or Thiruvaikundam Navagraha Temple: This place is considered as Sani Sthalam (Saturn)

Presiding Deity at Sri Vaigundam Temple: Deity as Kailasanathar

Goddess at Sri Vaikundam or Thiruvaikundam: Ponnammal or Sivagami Ambal.

Temples and Deities at Keezh Kailasam (Lower Kailash)

Navakailasam Thenthirupperai Navagraha Temple: This place is considered as Budan Sthalam (Mercury)

Presiding Deity at Thenthirupperai Temple: Kailasanathar

Goddess at Thenthirupperai Temple: Azhagiya Ponnammal

Navakailasam Raajapathy Navagraha Temple: This place is considered as Kethu Sthalam 

Presiding Deity at Raajapathy Temple: Lord Kailasanathar

Goddess at Raajapathy Temple: Sivami Ambal

Navakailasam Sernthapoomangalam Navagraha Temple: This place is considered as Sukra Sthalam.

Presiding Deity at Poomangalam Navagraha Temple: Lord Kailasanathar

Goddess at Saendha Poomangalam Temple: Sivagami Ambal

Papanasa Swami temple at Papanasam is about 50 KM from Tirunelveli. The sanctum is situate

d near a "Mukkila" tree,which signifies three Vedas. Thr river Thambrabarani

reaches the plains near the temple and flows in South-North direction As Indra,the King of Devas got rid of all

sins at this place, the Lord is known as "Papanasa Swami" (Destroyer of Sins).Shiva is said to have shown His

Dharshan here to Sage Agasthya & his wife Lobamudra. This place is associated with the Sun God(Soorya) for

whom the "Pariharas" are offered.Turmeric is crushed as powder inside the temple complex and ladies offer it

to the Goddess Logambikai who is believed to fulfill their desires.

The second among  the Nava Kailasam is at Seran Mahadevi,which is 24 KM

from Thirunelveli. The temple is 3 KM away from the town. As this place is not served by buses, cabs or autos

have to be engaged to reach the temple. Moreover, the temple is kept open between 7 and 8 A.M and 5-6 PM.

Since we reached the temple around 9.30A.M., the gates were locked and our attempts to bring back the

archaka was in vain. Two sisters who were staunch devotees of Lord Shiva have constructed this temple.The

Lord is also known as Ammanathar.Moon is associated with this temple.

Kodaganalloor is the third Kailash among the group of temples. It is reachable from SeranMahadevi. This

"Ankaraga Nivarthi sthalam" is also known for the removal of "Sarpa Dosham". People looking for good

alliances for their daughters offer garlands made of Turmeric to  Nandi who is

said to be very powerful.

Kunnathur is about 10 KM from Tirunelveli en route to Thiruvengadanathapuram.This "Rahu Parihara

sthalam" is surrounded by hills and the location is beautiful. Peacocks in large numbers fly freely in this

isolated place. We were fortunate to capture a peacock in our camera when it was sitting on the compound

wall of GothaParameswara temple at Kunnathur.Six headed idol of  Sri

Subramanya in the outer prakara is beautifully carved.This temple is also kept open for few hours in the

morning and in the evening.

Murappanadu is situated between Tirunelveli and Tuticorin and the distance from Tirunelveli is 17 km. This is

considered as "Guru Parihara sthalam". The temple is on the western banks of the river Thambrabarani. The

river flows from South to North in this place and is viewed on par with Kasi and Ganges.

Srivaikundam is 24 km away from Tirunelveli on the road that leads to Thiruchendur. It is considered as "Sani

parihara sthalam" This town is the birth place of Sri Kumaraguruparar,the Adhi Guru of Sri Kasi Mutt.

Then Thirupperai is on the way to Thiruchendur (38 km from Tirunelveli.) This "Budha preethi sthalam" is

also known for Kala Bhairava worship.He has six hands and his vehicle(Dog) is not there.The temple is

renovated and kept neat.

Rajapathi is 35 km from Tirunelveli on Tiruchendur route. One has to travel about 5 km from Thenthirupperai

towards Athur. The temple is newly constructed to house the ancient Siva lingam. Commuting to this "Kethu

parihara sthalam" is not that easy.

Sernthapoomangalam can be reached from Athur on Tiruchendur route. The river Thambrabarani meets the

ocean at a place called Punnakkayal near here. This "Sukra dosha Nivarthi sthalam" has Kubera in the

vimanam.

One should not miss visiting Brahmadesam,Thiruppudaimarudur and Sivasailam which can be accessed from

Ambasamudram.Kalakkadu is another important place near Nanguneri which has to be covered during the

trip to Tirunelveli District.The magnificent temple of Kasi Viswanatha at Thenkasi is a feast for art lovers.

Needless to add, the glorious temple of Nellayappar at Tirunelveli should be the starting point of the whole

agenda.