Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu: Complete Guide to the 9 Planet Temples
Tamil Nadu is home to thousands of ancient temples, but the Navagraha Temples near Kumbakonam offer a particularly interesting spiritual journey.
The Navagrahas represent nine celestial influences in Hindu tradition: Surya, Chandra, Angaraka, Budha, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Ketu.
Each of the nine traditional Navagraha temples is associated with one of these grahas. The temples are spread mainly around Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and the Cauvery Delta, making it possible for travellers to visit all nine as part of a planned temple tour.
Whether you are travelling for prayer, astrology-related traditions, architecture or simply to experience Tamil Nadu's temple heritage, here is a practical guide to the 9 Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu.
What Are the 9 Navagraha Temples?
The traditional Navagraha temple circuit consists of:
Suryanar Kovil – Surya (Sun)
Thingalur – Chandra (Moon)
Vaitheeswaran Koil – Angaraka/Chevvai (Mars)
Thiruvenkadu – Budha (Mercury)
Alangudi – Guru (Jupiter)
Kanjanur – Shukra/Sukran (Venus)
Thirunallar – Shani (Saturn)
Thirunageswaram – Rahu
Keezhperumpallam – Ketu
Most of these temples are Shiva temples where the associated Navagraha is worshipped within the temple complex. Suryanar Kovil is distinctive because Surya is the principal deity.
1. Suryanar Kovil – Surya Temple
Graha: Surya (Sun)
Location: Near Aduthurai, Tamil Nadu
Suryanar Kovil is the temple associated with Surya, the Sun God.
It is one of the most distinctive temples on the Navagraha circuit because Surya is worshipped as the main deity, while shrines associated with the other planetary deities are also present within the complex.
For many travellers, Suryanar Kovil is a natural place to begin their Navagraha temple journey.
2. Thingalur Kailasanathar Temple – Chandra
Graha: Chandra (Moon)
Location: Thingalur, near Thanjavur
The Kailasanathar Temple at Thingalur is associated with Chandra, the Moon.
The temple's principal deity is Lord Shiva in the form of Kailasanathar, while Chandra has special significance within the temple tradition.
Thingalur can conveniently be included when travelling between the Thanjavur and Kumbakonam regions.
3. Vaitheeswaran Koil – Angaraka
Graha: Angaraka / Chevvai (Mars)
Location: Vaitheeswaran Koil, Mayiladuthurai district
Vaitheeswaran Koil is one of the best-known temples on the Navagraha route.
The temple is associated with Angaraka or Chevvai, representing Mars, while the presiding deity is Lord Vaitheeswaran, a form of Shiva.
Its long religious history and impressive temple complex make it worth experiencing even beyond its Navagraha significance.
4. Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – Budha
Graha: Budha (Mercury)
Location: Thiruvenkadu
Thiruvenkadu's Swetharanyeswarar Temple represents Budha, or Mercury, in the Navagraha circuit.
The temple is another important Shaivite pilgrimage destination and is located relatively close to Vaitheeswaran Koil, making the two convenient to combine during the same part of your journey.
5. Alangudi Apatsahayesvarar Temple – Guru
Graha: Guru (Jupiter)
Location: Alangudi, near Kumbakonam
Alangudi is associated with Guru Bhagavan, or Jupiter.
The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva as Apatsahayesvarar, while the temple is particularly famous among devotees visiting for Guru worship.
Located south of Kumbakonam, Alangudi is commonly included in Navagraha itineraries based in Kumbakonam.
6. Kanjanur Agniswarar Temple – Shukra
Graha: Shukra / Sukran (Venus)
Location: Kanjanur
Kanjanur is the Navagraha sthalam associated with Shukra, or Venus.
The principal deity is Lord Agniswarar, a form of Shiva.
Kanjanur is located only a short distance from Suryanar Kovil, so travellers can conveniently visit both temples as part of the same route.
7. Thirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar Temple – Shani
Graha: Shani (Saturn)
Location: Thirunallar, Karaikal
Thirunallar is perhaps one of the most widely recognised temples in the Navagraha circuit.
The temple is associated with Shani Bhagavan, while Lord Dharbaranyeswarar is the principal deity.
It is located in Thirunallar in the Karaikal region, so it sits farther from some of the Kumbakonam temples and should be factored carefully into your route.
8. Thirunageswaram Naganathaswamy Temple – Rahu
Graha: Rahu
Location: Thirunageswaram, near Kumbakonam
Thirunageswaram is the Navagraha temple associated with Rahu.
The temple is situated close to Kumbakonam, making it one of the easier temples to include while staying in the town.
Beyond its association with Rahu, the temple's traditional architecture and atmosphere make it an important stop on the pilgrimage route.
9. Keezhperumpallam Naganathaswamy Temple – Ketu
Graha: Ketu
Location: Keezhperumpallam, Mayiladuthurai district
The final temple in the traditional circuit is Keezhperumpallam, associated with Ketu.
It is situated closer to the eastern side of the Navagraha route and can conveniently be combined with Thiruvenkadu and other temples around Mayiladuthurai.
Best Place to Stay for a Navagraha Temple Tour
Kumbakonam is one of the most convenient bases for a Navagraha temple trip.
Several of the temples are located in and around the Kumbakonam-Mayiladuthurai region, while the remaining temples can be reached by road.
Rather than changing hotels every night, travellers can stay in Kumbakonam and organise the temple visits as day trips.
This is especially convenient for families and senior travellers.
Can You Visit All 9 Navagraha Temples in One Day?
Technically, travellers sometimes attempt it.
Practically, two days is a much more comfortable choice.
The temples are spread across different towns, and the complete road journey can cover roughly 250–300 km depending on the chosen route. Temple opening hours, queues, meal breaks and traffic also need to be considered.
Trying to squeeze nine temples into one day can turn a spiritual journey into a competitive driving event, which rather defeats the purpose.
Suggested 2-Day Navagraha Temple Itinerary
Day 1 – Kumbakonam Region
Begin early and cover temples around the Kumbakonam side:
Thingalur → Alangudi → Thirunageswaram → Suryanar Kovil → Kanjanur
Return to Kumbakonam for an overnight stay.
Day 2 – Mayiladuthurai & Karaikal Region
After an early breakfast, continue towards:
Vaitheeswaran Koil → Thiruvenkadu → Keezhperumpallam → Thirunallar
The exact order can be adjusted according to your starting point, temple timings and onward travel plans.
Best Time to Visit the Navagraha Temples
The temples can be visited throughout the year, but the cooler months generally make road travel and temple visits more comfortable.
Starting early in the morning is particularly useful because it gives you more time for darshan while avoiding some of the afternoon heat.
Weekends, festival periods and astrologically significant days may attract larger crowds, so allow additional time if travelling during these periods.
Travel Tips for Your Navagraha Temple Tour
Wear comfortable, modest clothing suitable for temple visits and footwear that is easy to remove frequently.
Carry drinking water during road journeys, especially when travelling with children or elderly family members.
Most importantly, avoid creating an itinerary based purely on distance. Temple opening and closing times matter just as much as kilometres.
A private vehicle with a driver familiar with the Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai temple routes can make the journey significantly easier.
Why Take a Navagraha Temple Tour?
A Navagraha pilgrimage is more than travelling from one temple to another.
The journey takes you through the heart of Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta, where ancient temples, village landscapes, traditional architecture and centuries-old religious customs remain part of everyday life.
For devotees, the journey carries spiritual significance.
For travellers interested in Tamil culture, it is also an opportunity to experience some of the state's remarkable temple heritage away from the usual tourist circuit.
Plan Your Navagraha Temple Tour with Teal Holidays
Planning nine temples across multiple towns can become complicated when you have to coordinate routes, accommodation, transportation and temple timings.
Teal Holidays can help organise a comfortable Navagraha Temple Tour in Tamil Nadu, including transportation, accommodation and a customised itinerary based on your starting city and travel duration.
Whether you are travelling as a couple, with family, with elderly parents or as a larger pilgrimage group, your journey can be planned at a pace that makes the experience comfortable rather than rushed.
