The God of the Moon is of white skin. He is clad in white robes. His chariot colour and the horses that pull it up are white. He lies on the lotus pedestal, in a splendid chariot drawn by ten horses. He has a golden crown on his head, and a pearl garland on his collar. He has a mace in one hand and the other is held in the showering blessings pose.
The moon-god is the son of Maharishi Atri and Anusuya according to the ‘Srimad Bhagawat.’ Lord Krishna was a son of Moon God. He had been assigned to the 27 constellations, i.e. Ashwini, Bharani, Rohini, Kritika etc. According to Harivanshpuran these constellations were daughters of ‘Daksha.’
Moon God car is chariot. His chariot has three wheels. Ten strong horses drive him in his chariot. All the horses are holy, incomparable and like the mind are swift. The horses’ eyes, and ears are white. The horses are as white as a conch according to the Matasyapurana.
Temple- Kailasanathar Temple, Thingalur (Moon Temple-Chandran),Tanjore.
Metal – Silver
Gemstone – Pearl
Colour – White
Transition time – 2.1/2 days
Debilitation sign – Scorpio
Mahadasha Lasts for – 10 years
Presiding Diety is – Goddess Uma
Element – Water
Mercury is Moon God’s son who was born to ‘Tara.’ The storey goes on to tell that Brihaspathi ‘s wife Tara was drawn to the stars, who had come to Brihaspathi in scholarly pursuit. Budha is Tara ‘s wife, and Moon’s. Rohini, Chandra ‘s mom, brings Budha up though. Some Purans do have different storeys about Mercury ‘s birth.
Moon-God presiding deity is goddess Uma. Moon-god is the lord of Cancer and his Mahadasha, the zodiac sign, who last 10 years. He is sometimes known as the master of the constellations. He occupies second place among all the nine celestial bodies.