The placement of certain combinations of planets in houses gives predefined results as per the ancient Vedic Astrology texts as well as the traditionally taught systems of astrology. The predefined combinations are called Yogas and the malefic ones are specifically called Doshas. So, in short, a Dosha is an unfavourable planetary placement or a flaw in a birth chart. Also, temples for doshas are prescribed as a remedy for the flaw caused by them.
Planets And Their Doshas
Mars in certain houses causes Manglik or Chevvai Dosha. The positioning of all the planets in between Rahu and Ketu forms the Kal Sarpa Dosha. Saturn and Ketu cause Shrapit Dosha, the moon causes Chandra Dosha and the position of the moon in certain degrees causes Gandmool Dosha. Sun and Rahu cause Pitra Dosha whereas Jupiter and Rahu cause the Guru Chandal Yoga/Dosha. There are many more doshas. The weakness of, unfavourable placements or malefic influence on planets/houses also form Doshas.
Prarabdha Karma
The good or bad Karma that we have brought into this birth from our past births is called Prarabdha Karma. Additionally, we have the privilege of being able to assess the state of our Prarabdha Karma through our horoscopes. By understanding the dosha if any in our birth charts and then by making a sincere effort to remedy them and atone for them we try to get some relief from the problems caused by the specific Dosha.
What Are The Remedies For A Dosha?
Astrology seeks to not just identify but to also find remedies to problems or work towards reducing their severity. Some astrological remedies are; fasting, penance, mantra, tantra, homas, charity yantras, pilgrimage and even remedies that come out of a red book (Lal Kitab) as well as a combination of some of the aforementioned.
Learned astrologers tell us that remedies cannot work as a sort of barter or exchange to nullify our bad karma but they go a long way in giving us relief from the suffering caused by the bad karma. Also, our very intention of trying to atone and balance the negative is a very positive thing.
Pilgrimage: Temples For Doshas
What Are Some Dosha Nivarthi Temples?
There are many larger and smaller temples for doshas that are prescribed for relief from a particular dosha. Also, these temples are called Dosha Nivarthi Temples. Some famous temples for Dosha Nivarthi in Southern India are;
Sun
Suriyanar Temple is the temple for Doshas involving the Sun. The temple is located in Tirumangalakkudi village which is near Aduthurai in the Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. This is one of the few historic temples that is dedicated to the Sun god and it is also one of the few to have shrines for all the other deities representing the nine planets or Navagrahas.
Moon
The temple for the Moon is located in Thingalur in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu near Thiruvaiyaru. Chandran is another name for the Thingalur Temple. It is also a place to perform the customary first feeding of rice to infants.
Mars
A person with problems related to Mars should worship Lord Muruga at Palani, Madurai District, Tamilnadu. The Vaitheeswaran temple is also prescribed for Mars related issues. Devotees worship Lord Shiva as the “God of healing” at the Vaitheeswaran Temple. The temple is located near Sirkazhi in Nagapattinam District, Tamilnadu.
Mercury
Devotees worship Lord Shiva as Sri Swetaranyeswarar at the Swetharanyeswarar Temple in Thiruvengadu. It is also near Sirkazhi in Nagapattinam District, Tamilnadu.
Jupiter
For Jupiter related problems one should visit the temple of Sri Aabathsahayeswarar where one can worship Sri Dakshinamurthy near Alangudi in Kumbakonam.
Venus
The Agneeswarar temple in Kanjanur is the place of worship for Venus related problems. The temple is located near Aduthurai, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.
Saturn
Lord Saneeshwara’s (Saturn) temple at Thirunallar is the famous pilgrimage centre for problems related to Lord Saturn especially Sade-Sati. It is near Karaikal.
Rahu
The Thirunageswaram Temple where the presiding deity is Naganathaswamy is the temple for Rahu related problems as well as certain Doshas like Kal Sarpa Dosha. It is located 6 km from Kumbakonam on the Karaikal Road.
Ketu
The temple for Ketu is at Kizhaperumpallam Temple near Dharmankulam which is about 20 km from the town of Sirkazhi in the Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu. This temple is to be visited for Ketu related issues although the main deity is Naganatha Swamy or Shiva.
