Navagraha
The nine celestial influences of Hindu astrology, each linked to grains, flowers and spices offered in worship.
Also: nine planets, navgrah puja, grain and spice offerings, nine grains
Navagraha means nine planets: Surya, Chandra, Mangala, Budha, Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Ketu. In Hindu practice each is linked to a day of the week, a colour, a metal and a food offering. Sesame, black gram and mustard oil are offered to Shani, turmeric and yellow gram to Brihaspati, rice and white items to Chandra, and so on. The nine grains, navadhanya, are sown in pots at some temple rites. These links belong to tradition and astrology and vary by region and priest. They show how everyday spices, such as sesame, turmeric and mustard, gained symbolic roles in ritual and in the weekday calendar.