Bharani Star

Vedic Astrology, our ancient predictive science, recognizes 27 Nakshatras, the star constellations in its scheme of things. People whose birth takes place when the Moon transits through a particular star are said to be born in that star, which thus becomes their Janma Nakshatra, the birth star. This birth star and the planetary placements at the time of birth influence the person, his or her nature, and fortunes significantly.

Bharani Nakshatra is the 2nd of the 27 stars. The Bharani starers- those with Bharani as their birth star- are well-known for their burning energy, apart from sound knowledge and the drive to acquire new skills. They have leadership qualities, too, which is celebrated in the famous Tamil saying, ‘Bharani Dharani Aalum,’ meaning, the Bharani star people may rule even the world!

Temple for the Bharani-born

Navagrahas, the 9 planets, are said to wield considerable influence on our lives, and hence people visit the temples of these planetary Lords and seek their blessings. But there are also temples dedicated to the different stars, and it is important that people visit the temples meant for their birth stars, too, and offer prayers to the deities there. Though these star temples are not as famous as the Navagraha ones, it is believed that worshiping at the temples dedicated to their birth stars regularly can help people overcome obstacles and lead a happy and peaceful life.

Nalladai Agneeswarar temple is the one that holds particular significance for those with Bharani as the birth star.

Nalladai Agneeswarar Temple

Nalladai is in the Tharangambadi Taluk of Nagappattinam district of Tamil Nadu. The people of this place were weavers by profession, and they wove fine clothes which adorned even the divine idol of the Lord and Goddess. Hence this place came to be called Neithal Aadai, as ‘Neithal’ is weaving in Tamil and ‘Aadai’ refers to clothes. In due course, the name changed to Nalladai.

This temple for Shiva as Agneeswarar and his consort Sundara Nayaki was built in the 12th century CE by Raja Raja Chozha II. As Shiva here holds special significance for those born in the Bharani star, the main deity is also known as Bharaninathar here. He is facing west and hence, is said to be quite aggressive. So, offering prayers to him is believed to bestow the devotees with immense benefits.

Mythological Story

There is an interesting story on how this temple Lord became special for those born in Bharani star.

As per the legend, once, sage Mruganda Maharshi performed a grand Yagnya, the fire sacrifice for Lord Agneeswarar at Nalladai. When he requested the people to provide him with the material for conducting this ritual, they agreed, wove 3 beautiful silk clothes using gold, and offered those for the Yagnya. The ceremony went on well, and at the end of it, the sage offered the clothes to the sacrificial fire as part of the Poornahuthi ritual. But the people, who had taken great pains to weave such exquisite clothes, were shocked by the sight of those being thrown in the fire.

When they questioned the sage, he told them not to worry as those closes would have reached the Lord. And to reassure them, he advised them to see for themselves. When they rushed to the sanctum, they were wonderstruck to find the silk clothes adorning the main idol, majestically!

The sage then is said to have explained to them about the significance of Agni, the holy fire, as the divine messenger, and also about the greatness of Bharani Rudhragni, the powerful sacred fire that carried the offerings made by the devotees straight to the Lord.

As it was Bharani Rudhragni that took the clothing offerings to Nalladai Agneeswarar, this temple has come to be regarded special for the Bharani star and those born in it.

Benefits of Praying

Lord Shiva in his Linga form in this Nalladai temple is believed to be a personification of Agni. People, especially of Bharani star, can offer prayers to him and the Goddess and perform Homa to the divine couple to earn their blessings. Doing Archana worship, particularly on the Bharani star day, can mitigate the adverse effects of planets. People may also be blessed with a happy marriage, progeny blessings, and many other benefits.

Nakshatra Calculator

There can be people not knowing what their birth star is, and Nakshatra Calculator is here for them to find that out easily. People can simply provide their birth details, like date, time, and place of birth in the columns given, and get their Janma Nakshatra, Janma Rasi, the Moon sign, and other basic astrological birth details. Thus, this remains as much a Nakshatra Calculator as a Rasi Calculator, or simply, Rasi Natchathiram calculator.

People can benefit from this user-friendly Nakshatra or Rasi Calculator, or Rasi Natchathiram Calculator to learn about their birth star and other particulars and seek divine blessings accordingly.