NAVAGRAHAS

 Navagraha literally means nine planets. The nine planets are however counted as follows:  Surya or the Sun, Chandra or the Moon, Mangal or the Mars, Budha or Mercury, Brihaspati, or the Jupiter, Sukra or the Venus, Sani or the Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu. Rahu is considered as a devil or a notorious demon who causes eclipses to the sun and the moon.  Ketu literally means ‘comet’.  Since astrology plays an important role in the life of Nepalese people socially, culturally, and religiously, Navagrahas are frequently mentioned, interpreted, and dealt with in many different ways. Before starting any auspicious actions, pacifying the Navagrha is considered desirable. Navagrahas are often considered as the causes of several problems, diseases, and failures as one or the other graha /planets come on the way to block the way to success. Therefore, there are several rituals to please the graha and pave the way to success. Worshipping grahas for pacifying them is often the part and parcel of the ceremonies and religious rites.