Graha (from Sanskrit ग्रह gráha -- seizing, laying hold of, holding) is a 'cosmic influencer' on the living beings of mother Bhumidevi (earth). In Hindu Astrology, the Navagraha (Sanskrit: नवग्रह, nine seizers or nine influencers) are some of these major influencers.

"The Sanskrit word captures the idea that these nine grahas are living energies which put out waves of energy. These waves of energy affect our awareness. ... this indicates ... the active power of these celestial energies to seize our consciousness when we come under their influence or to take hold of what we focus on."

Accordingly to some, Grahas are the "markers of influence", that point out the karmic influence on the behavior of living beings. They themselves are not causative but can be compared to traffic signs.Unfortunately, the term Graha was linked to the term "planet" of our solar system, as five members of Navagraha (the nine grahas) happen to be planets; but the Surya (sun), Chandra (moon), Rahu (north or ascending lunar node) and Ketu (south or descending lunar node) are not "planets" according to modern astronomy. This misconception is sometimes used as arguments against the validity of astrology. However, a fact common to all the navagraha is that they have relative movement with respect to the background of fixed stars in the zodiac.

"Graha" is sometimes also translated as "celestial body", but Rahu and Ketu are not celestial bodies either, but are only positions in the lunar path. A third translation is celestial god or demi-god, but again, Rahu and Ketu are demonic Asuras , not benign deities like Devas. Thus the term 'graha' in this contexts applies to the nine (9) planetary or cosmic deities, spirits, spiritual beings-entities, etc. The term however mostly refers to any spirit(ual) force in general.Indeed, according to the astrological treatise Prasna Marga there are many other spiritual entities called grahas or spirits. All (excepting the navgrahas) are said to have been born of the anger of Lord Shiva or Rudra. Most grahas are generally malefic in nature but there are a few that may be good. The book called The Puranic Encyclopedia, under the heading 'Graha Pinda', gives a list of such grahas (spirits or spiritual entities, etc), that are said to afflict children, etc. Also in the same book in various places the names of spirits (grahas) are given, like 'Skhanda graha' that is said to cause miscarriage(s),

Load Surya :-

Surya (Devanagari: सूर्य, sūrya) is the chief solar deity SUN, one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa, of Indra, or of Dyaus Pitar (depending by the versions). He has hair and arms of gold. His chariot is pulled by seven horses, which represent the seven chakras. He presides as "Ravi" over "Ravi-war" or Sunday. and one of his wife Aditi

In Hindu religious literature, Surya is notably mentioned as the visible form of God that one can see every day. Furthermore, Shaivites and Vaishnavas often regard Surya as an aspect of Shiva and Vishnu, respectively. For example, the sun is called Surya Narayana by Vaishnavas. In Shaivite theology, Surya is said to be one of eight forms of Shiva, named the Astamurti.

He is said to be of Sattva Guna and represents the Soul,the King, highly placed persons or Father.

Load Chandra :-

Chandra (Devanagari: चंद्र ) is a lunar deity. Chandra (moon) is also known as Soma and identified with the Vedic Lunar deity Soma. He is described as young, beautiful, fair; two-armed and having in his hands a club and a lotus. He rides his chariot (the moon) across the sky every night, pulled by ten white horses or an antelope. He is connected with dew, and as such, is one of the gods of fertility. He is also called Nishadipati (Nisha=night; Adipathi=Lord) and Kshuparaka (one who illuminates the night). He as Soma, presides over Somvarm or Monday. He is of Sattva GunaMind, the Queen or Mother. and represents the Mind, the Queen or Mother.

He is married to daughters of Daksha Prajapathi. He has therefore 27 wives, representing twenty seven Nakshatras (constellations). Budha (the planet Mercury) was born to Soma and Taraka.

Load Mangala :-

Load Budha :-

Budha (Devanagari: बुध ) is the god of the planet Mercury and the son of Chandra (the moon) with Tara (Taraka). He is also the god of merchandize and protector of Merchants. He is of Rajas Guna and represents Communication.

He is represented as being mild, eloquent and of greenish colour. He is represented holding a scimitar, a club and a shield, riding a winged lion in Ramghur temple. In other illustrations , he holds a sceptre and lotus and rides a carpet or an eagle or a chariot drawn by lions..

Budha presides over 'Budh-war' or Wednesday. In modern Hindi, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi,Kannada and Gujarati, Wednesday is called Budhvara; in Tamil and Malayalam it is Budhan.

Load Brihaspati :-

Brihaspati(Devanagari: बृहस्पति ) is the name of a Vedic deity, personification of piety and religion, the chief offerer of prayers and sacrifices, represented as the Purohita of the gods with whom he intercedes for men. He is the Lord of planet Jupiter. He is of Sattva Guna and represents knowledge and teaching.

According to Hindu scriptures, he is the guru of the Devas and the arch-nemesis of Shukracharya, the guru of the Danavas. He is also known Guru, the god of wisdom and eloquence, to whom various works are ascribed, such as the "atheistic" Barhaspatya sutras.

He is described of yellow or golden colour and holding a stick, a lotus and his beads. He presides over 'Guru-war' or Thursday.

Load Shukra :-

Represents planet Venus.

Shukra (Devanagari: शुक्र ), the Sanskrit for "clear, pure" or "brightness, clearness", is the name the son of Bhrigu and Ushana, and preceptor of the Daityas, and the guru of the Asuras, identified with the planet Venus (with honorific, शुक्राचार्य Shukracharya).

He presides over 'Shukra-war' or Friday. He is Rajas in nature and represents wealth, pleasure and reproduction. He is of white complexion, middle-aged and of agreeable countenance. He is described variously mounted, on a camel or a horse or a crocodile. He holds a stick, beads and a lotus and sometimes a bow and arrow.

In Astrology, there is a dasha or planetary period known as Shukra Dasha which remains active in a person's horoscope for 20 years. This dasha is believed to give more wealth, fortune and luxury to one's living if a person has Shukra positioned well in his horoscope as well as Shukra being an important benefic planet in his/her horoscope.

Load Shani :-

Lord Shani(शनि) is one of the navagrahas which are the nine planets in Hindu astrology. Lord Shani is also called as Saneeswaran, Shani Bhagawan, Shaneeshwara, Shani Deva and so on. Shani is a god and is son of Lord Surya (the Sun God) and his wife Chhaya means Shadow goddess. Hence, he is also known as Chayyaputra. Lord Shani is included in the planet Saturn. He is the lord of Saturday and lead metal. The word Shani also represents the 7 day or Saturday in Indian languages.

Lord Shani was born by the sun went into overshadow. He is the enemy of light and is associated by the color black, holding an arrow, two daggers and sword. Lord Shani is also called as the greatest teacher and is known Hindu scriptures as the greatest trouble giver and the greatest well wisher. The crow is vehicle by Lord Shani. His gems are all the black gems and the neelam (the blue sapphire).

Saturn or Shani is the planet of responsibility. It is that symbolizes the ethic of hard work. Lord Shani is the older brother to Yama, the Hindu God of death. Lord Shani represents aloofness as well. Shani Jayanti is celebrated in the month of Jayestha, Krishna Paksha's Amavasya Tithi when "vatsavitri Vrat" also falls.

The origin of word Shani(शनि) comes from the following: Shanaye Kramati Sa: (शनये क्रमति सः) i.e. the one who moves slowly. Saturn takes about 30 years to revolve around the Sun, thus it moves slowly compared to other planets, thus the Sanskrit name शनि. Shani is actually a demi-god and is a son of Surya (the Hindu Sun God) and his wife Chhaya. It is said that when he opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse, which clearly denotes the impact of Shani on astrological charts (horoscope).

Shani Temple

Shani temple is located at Shirdi village in Ahmednagar District. It is devoted to Lord Shani and is a powerful planet. Shani temple is a small holy fire. It is known as 'dhuni'. A wide picture of Sai Baba placed behind the god of Shani.

Shani Mantra

Nilamjana Samabasam Ravi Putram Yama Grajami| Chaya Marthanda Sambutam Tam Namami Shanaiswaram||

Shani Pilgrimages

• Shree Shani Kshetra Rameshwar Tirth.
• Shree Sidh Shakti Peeth ShaniDham
• Shree Shani Tirth Tirunalaru, Tamil Nadu.
• Shree Shani Temple Beedh, Maharastra.
• Shree Shani Tirth Kshetra, Asola, Fatehpur Beri, Mehrauli, Delhi.
• Shree Shani Mandir Tirth, Ujjain.
• Lord Shani Temple, Gwalior Kokilavan, Vrindavan.
• Shanaischara Temple Hassan
• Shree Shingnapur, Maharastra.
• Shree Shani Kshetra Nastanpur, Maharastra.
• Shree Shani Temple, Madivala, Bangalore
• ani Kshetra Model Tirth Nandur bar, Maharastra.

Shani and Hanuman

The devotion of Lord Hanuman is a panacea for the severe effects of the 'adverse' presence of Lord Shani. In the Hindu Scriptures Ramayana, Lord Hanuman is said to have saved Shani from the clutches of Ravana and in gratitude, Shani promised to Hanuman that anyone prayed to Hanuman, specially on Saturdays, would be saved from the "malefic" effects of Saturn or the effects would be softened.

Load Ketu :-

Ketu (Devanagari: केतु) is the Lord of Descending/South lunar node. Ketu is generally referred to as a "shadow" planet. He is considered as Tail of the Demon Snake. It is believed to have a tremendous impact on human lives and also the whole creation. In some special circumstances it helps someone achieve the zenith of fame. He is Tamas in nature and represents supernatural influences.

Astronomically, Ketu and Rahu denote the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move on the celestial sphere. Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the north and the south lunar nodes. The fact that eclipses occur when Sun and Moon are at one of these points gives rise to the story of the swallowing of the Sun by the Moon.

Associated characters :-

Each of the graha has associations with various characters, such as colors, metals, etc. The following table gives the most important associations:

Character	Surya Dev (sun)	Chandra (Moon)	Mangala (Mars)	Budha (Mercury)
Color	Copper	White	Red	Green
Gender Associated	Male	Male	Male	Neutral
Element	Fire	Water	Fire	Earth
God	Agni	Varuna	Subramanya	Vishnu
Metal	Gold/Brass	Silver	Brass	Brass
Gemstone	Ruby	Moonstone/Pearl	Red Coral	Emerald
Body Part	Bone	Blood	Marrow	Skin
Taste	Pungent	Salt	Acid	Mixed
Food	Wheat	Paddy Rice	Lentil	Greengram
Season	Summer	Winter	Summer	Autumn
Direction	East	North West	South	North
Day	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday

Character	Jupiter	Venus)	Shai (Saturn)	Rahu	Ketu
Color	Gold	White/Yellow	Black/Blue	Smoky	Smoky
Gender Associated	Male	Female	Neutral	-	-
Element	Ether	Water	Air	Air	Earth
God	Indra	Indrani	Brahma	Nirriti	Ganesha
Metal	Gold	Silver	Iron	Lead	Lead
Gemstone	Yellow Sapphire	Diamond	Blue Sapphire	Hessonite	Cat's Eye
Body Part	Brain	Semen	Muscles	-	-
Taste	Sweet	Sour	Astringent	-	-
Food	Bengalgram	Beans	Sesame	-	-
Season	Winter	Spring	All Seasons	-	-
Direction	North East	South East	West	South West	-
Day	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	-	-