The statues of Nava Graha
Because there has been very little practice in constructing sculptures of Nava Graha in personified figures in Nepal, the statues of Nava Graha are extremely rare to be captured.
However, in Bhaktapur’s Taumadhi Square, a personified statue of Navagraha can be encountered. A stone conduit, commonly known as Lohahiti, runs beneath the southern part of the Bhairavanath temple at Taumadhi Square have it in its space.
That stone conduit was said to be erected for the sake of Bhairavanath temple’s worship. On its northern wall, in addition to Gauri Shankar’s stunning stone sculptures above the water conduit, there are these rare and picturesque icons of Nava Graha.
Generally, a group of nine planets is known as the Nava Graha. Furthermore, its placement is somehow considered more or less a sensitive subject in Nepalese society. It is believed that if these Grahas (planets) remain in their respective places, life will be prosperous and fortunate.
Withstanding that, the names of these Nava Grahas seem quite familiar to us, which are like this:
- Surya
- Chandra
- Mangal
- Budha
- Brihaspati
- Shukra
- Shani
- Rahu
- Ketu
The statues of Nava Graha that were mentioned quite earlier were set up by King Yakshya Malla in 1460 A.D., as per the shreds of evidence. Here are the images of those Nava Grahas. Try guessing the name of these Nava Grahas, if you can.
