Graha in Sanskrit means Planet in English; Devtaa means a lesser form of Deity. Each planet in Hinduism has a Deity or Devtaa associated with it. As a respect and custom it is always a practice to pray the planet, deity and its Devtaa during certain ceremonies. Deity controls the planet.

Origin : ‘गृह्णाति गतिविशेषान्‌ इति’ or ‘गृह्णाति फलदातृत्‍वेन जीवान्‌ इति’ means planets (Graha) are those which adopt specific velocities or afflict embodied souls with the motive of endowing them with auspicious or inauspicious results. Soorya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budh (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Raahu (the dragon’s head) and Ketu (the dragon’s tail) are the nine main planets. Although according to the physical sciences the Sun is a star, in astrology, from the point of view of bestowing results, it is considered as a planet. The Moon is a satellite of the earth. Raahu and Ketu are not separate planets, but the points of intersection of the orbits of the Earth and the Moon. After the three planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto were discovered they were named Prajapati, Varun and Indra respectively and their auspicious and inauspicious results were also described.

Spiritual practices - Temples of the nine planets are found in Bangaal, Udeesaa and other places in India.