Skip to content 
Rahu Ketu Effects: Understanding Their Influence on Your Life
Rahu Ketu are called Chaya graha or shadow planets but are considered astrologically very important. Unlike other grahas, they do not rule over a physical planet and do not correspond to any day of the week. Astronomically, they are supposed to denote the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move on the celestial sphere and are always 180 degrees apart.
Rahu is supposed to cause a solar eclipse and Ketu, a lunar eclipse.
The oldest story about Rahu is from the Puranas describing the cause of the eclipse. Devas and asuras were churning the milky ocean when the pot of nectar emerged. An asura named Saimhikeya, the son of Kasyapa Prajapati and Simhika, stole the nectar when everyone else was busy. Mahavishnu retrieved it by assuming of a beautiful woman, Mohini.
Then, Saimhikeya who was a magician, put on the garb of a brahmin, got a share of the nectar and began drinking it.
Surya and Chandra who were on duty at that time discovered the deception. Mahavishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra and sliced off the magician’s neck. But by this time, half the nectar had been drunk, so the two parts stayed alive with half the nectar above the throat and the rest below the throat. In time, these two evolved as Rahu and Ketu. Since the sun and moon caught Saimhikeya, he hated them and tried to swallow them when possible.
This shows up as the eclipse. But since the throat was severed, Surya and Chandra escape and become visible when the eclipse is over. While Rahu is depicted with a half-moon on his head, Ketu is supposed to have given birth to numerous comets and meteors.
Since Rahu depicts the head, he is considered the God of the ascending or North lunar mode while Ketu is the God of the descending or South lunar mode. Often shown riding a black lion, Rahu shows the varada mudra while Ketu who is depicted riding a vulture shows the abhaya mudra.
Rahu is half demon half-god and is believed to be the remover of diseases, a dispeller of fear of snakes, a friend of Saturn and Venus, and merciful. Ketu is supposed to have an extraordinary crown, friendly with other grahas but a wrathful person.
Smaramyaham sadarahum suryachandraveekshyam vikrutadeham in Ramamanohariragam and mahasuramketu mahambhajaamichaya grahavaram in Chamara raga are attributed to Muthuswami Dikshitar. Unlike kirtanas about the other seven grahas composed by Dikshitar, these two do not have much information.
But he specifically mentions that the mantra with the word ‘Kayana’ is to be used while worshipping Rahu; then he becomes very compassionate.
Rahu Sthalam
Tirunageswaram Naganathar temple is known as Rahu Sthalam (place) in the Kumbakonam area. Many famous serpents of yore are supposed to have worshipped here. People worship there to get relief from sarpa-dosha as well as ill effects of Rahu Ketu.
The Naganatha Swamy temple in Keezhaperumpalam is considered as Ketu sthalam. On the Tiruchendur road, the twin temples of Devapiran and Aravindalocanar are part of the Nava Tirupathis and are known as Rahu and Ketu sthalams.
Temple’s Google Maps location – Sri Naganathaswamy Kethu Temple
Let us recite verses from the navagraha stotra offering obeisance to Rahu and Ketu:
Ardhakaryam mahaviryam
chandraditya vimardanam
Simhikagrabasambhutam tam
rahumpranamyaham.
Half-bodied, very strong, who defeats sun and moon Born of Simhika, I bow to thee Rahu.
Palashapushpasamkasham
tarakagrahamastakam
Roudram roudratmakamghoram tam ketum
pranamaamyaham.
Flaming orange like Palash flower, adorning the head of stars and planets Fearful, Terrifying, Dreadful, I bow to thee Ketu.
