Navagraha, Stucco Sculptures, Nanjanagudu

                                     The Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (b. 1794 - d. 1868) was a great patron of art and learning and was himself a scholar and writer. There are around 50 works ascribed to him.The Maharaja funded an effort to put together in one work all available information concerning the iconography and iconometry of divine figures in South India. The resulting manuscript, which he entitled the Sritattvanidhi, brings together several forms of Shiva, Vishnu, Skanda, Ganesha, different goddesses, the nine planets (Navagrahas) and the eight protectors of the cardinal points (aṣṭadikpālas). The work is in nine parts and each is called a nidhi ("treasure"). The Navagrahas inside the northern mukhamantapa of Nanjanagudu Srikanteshwara temple unusually aligned in a line is said to be as illustrated in Sritattvanidhi. 

                                       The Navagrahas are not actual planets in the modern sense, although they are called planets. They are deities in the Cosmic Person (Purusha), with corresponding presence in the microcosm of every living being. Their positions in the body as well as in the world, influence the course of events both at the universal and individual planes.The Hindu astronomy, whose origins are in the Vedas, is based upon the configuration of the nine planets (grahas) and their collective influence on the world in general and each individual in particular. The nine planets are collectively known as Navagrahas. Of the nine deities, seven correspond with the names of the seven days in the week of the Hindu calendar. 

                                               They are found in most Hindu temples either grouped together on a panel or on a pedestal in commonly visible areas of the temple. While Navagrahas are usually found in many temples as subordinate deities, there are some temples which are exclusively built for them where they are worshiped as the main deities.

Surya (Sun) also known as Ravi, is riding a chariot drawn by seven white horses. The seven horses symbolically represent the seven colors of the white light and the seven days of the week.

Chandra (Moon) also knows as Soma is riding a chariot drawn by 10 horses.

Mangala (Mars) also called Angaraka, is a ferocious god with four hands. In two hands he holds weapons, generally a mace and a javelin, while the other two are held in abhaya and varadamudras and is riding a chariot drawn by ram.

Budha (Mercury) is riding a chariot drawn by lion. He is holding a sword, shield and mace weapons and the fourth is held in the usual varadamudra (giving gesture). 

Brihaspathi (Jupiter) also known as Brahmanaspati is the teacher of gods is riding a chariot drawn by eight horses. The eight horses probably represent eight branches of knowledge.

Shukra (Venus) is the teacher of the demons and the author of Sukraniti. He is riding a golden or a silver chariot drawn by eight horses. Three of his hands hold staff, rosary and vessel of gold, while the fourth one is held in varadamudra.

Shani (Saturn) is a turbulent and troublesome god who makes and breaks fortunes by his influence and position in the planetary system He is riding a chariot and is generally shown with four hands. Three of his hands hold an arrow, a bow and a javelin, while the fourth one is held in varadamudra.

Rahu resembles Budha (Mercury) in some respects but both gods differ in their nature and temperament. He is riding a chariot drawn by dark lion. Three of his hands hold a sword, a javelin and a shield, while the fourth one is held in varadamudra.

Ketu (Dhuma ketu) means comet in Sanskrit having the tail of a serpent as his body.  he is riding a chariot drawn by vulture. He is holding a mace in one hand and the other hand is held in varadamudra