Navagraha Temples Tamil Nadu – Complete Guide to All 9 Sacred Planet Temples: Locations, Timings, Offerings & Pilgrimage Route
Navagraha temples Tamil Nadu — Om Namo Narayanaya! — are among the most spiritually powerful and practically significant pilgrimage destinations in all of South India. For thousands of years, millions of Hindu devotees have undertaken the Navagraha temple circuit in the Cauvery delta region — nine ancient Shiva temples, each enshrining one of the nine sacred planetary deities (Navagrahas), believed to hold cosmic authority over every aspect of human life: health, wealth, intelligence, love, career, marriage, and spiritual liberation. These extraordinary temples were built by Chola dynasty kings between the 7th and 11th centuries CE.
Whether you are suffering from Shani dosha and seek relief at Thirunallar, planning a career change and need Budha’s blessings at Thiruvenkadu, or simply seeking the complete cosmic blessings of all nine planetary deities — this complete guide will be your definitive pilgrimage companion. Om Navagrahaaya Namah!
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All 9 Navagraha Temples — Quick Reference at a Glance
| # | Planet | Temple Name | Village/Town | District | Km from K’konam | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surya (Sun) | Sivasuriya Peruman / Suryanar Kovil | Aduthurai | Thanjavur | ~15 km | Free |
| 2 | Chandra (Moon) | Kailasanathar Temple | Thingalur | Thanjavur | ~18 km | Free |
| 3 | Mars (Angaraka) | Vaitheeswaran Kovil | Vaitheeswaran Kovil | Mayiladuthurai | ~55 km | Free |
| 4 | Budha (Mercury) | Swetharanyeswarar Temple | Thiruvenkadu | Mayiladuthurai | ~90 km | Free |
| 5 | Guru (Jupiter) | Apatsahayesvarar Temple | Alangudi | Thiruvarur | ~25 km | Free |
| 6 | Shukra (Venus) | Agniswarar / Agneeswarar Temple | Kanjanur | Thanjavur | ~20 km | Free |
| 7 | Shani (Saturn) | Dharbaranyeswarar Temple | Thirunallar | Karaikal (Puducherry) | ~100 km | Free |
| 8 | Rahu (N. Node) | Naganathar Temple | Thirunageswaram | Thanjavur | ~6 km | Free |
| 9 | Ketu (S. Node) | Naganathaswamy Temple | Keezhperumpallam | Mayiladuthurai | ~30 km | Free |
Who Are the Navagrahas? Nine Planets in Hindu Astrology
The Navagrahas (Sanskrit: nava = nine + graha = celestial body / that which seizes) are the nine major celestial bodies recognized in Hindu astronomy and astrology. Unlike Western astronomy, Hindu Jyotisha considers Rahu and Ketu — the ascending and descending lunar nodes — as shadow planets with powerful astrological influence. The Navagrahas are believed to govern the horoscope at birth and continue to influence every individual’s life course as they transit through the 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions).
| Planet | Sanskrit Name | Governs | Blessings When Propitiated | Dosha (Malefic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Surya | Soul, vitality, authority | Health, leadership, success | Surya dosha — ego conflicts |
| Moon | Chandra/Soma | Mind, emotions, mother | Peace, mental calm, fame | Chandra dosha — instability |
| Mars | Angaraka/Mangala | Energy, courage, land | Cure from diseases, marital harmony | Mangal dosha — marriage delays |
| Mercury | Budha | Intelligence, speech, commerce | Sharp intellect, studies, business | Budha dosha — communication |
| Jupiter | Guru/Brihaspati | Wisdom, prosperity, children | Financial success, marriage, education | Guru dosha — lack of wisdom |
| Venus | Shukra | Love, beauty, luxury, arts | Marital harmony, wealth, beauty | Shukra dosha — relationship issues |
| Saturn | Shani | Karma, discipline, longevity | Relief from Shani sade-sati, career | Shani dosha — career/health |
| Rahu | Rahu | Foreign affairs, sudden change | Success abroad, transformation | Rahu dosha — confusion, obstacles |
| Ketu | Ketu | Spirituality, liberation, past karma | Spiritual growth, moksha path | Ketu dosha — spiritual confusion |
Temple 1 — Suryanar Kovil, Aduthurai (Sun Temple)
Sivasuriya Peruman Temple · Aduthurai / Suryanarkoil · 15 km from Kumbakonam · Shiva: Veerattaneswarar
| Planet | Surya (Sun God) · Consorts: Usha Devi and Pratyusha Devi |
| Unique Feature | ONLY Navagraha temple with shrines for all 9 planetary deities inside one complex |
| Built | 1100 CE by Chola King Kulottunga I |
| Best Visit Day | Sunday (Aaditya Vaaram) · Festival: Ratha Saptami (Surya’s birthday) |
| Offerings | Red flowers (especially red lotus), red cloth, wheat, copper items, jaggery |
| Dosha Remedy | Surya dosha, Pitru dosha, father’s health issues, government job seekers |
Suryanar Kovil holds the most extraordinary distinction among all Navagraha temples — it is the only temple in the entire circuit where all nine planetary deities have their own separate shrines within a single complex. This unique feature makes Suryanar Kovil simultaneously the most comprehensive and the most cosmically powerful of the nine temples. Muthuswami Dikshitar, the great 18th-century South Indian composer, composed a celebrated Carnatic kriti beginning with ‘Suryamurthe’ in the Saurashtra raga at this very temple — one of his famous Navagraha kritis that are among the most frequently performed Carnatic compositions.
Temple 2 — Thingalur (Moon Temple — Chandra Stalam)
Kailasanathar / Chandiranaar Temple · Thingalur · 18 km from Kumbakonam · Shiva: Kailasanathar
| Planet | Chandra (Moon God / Soma) · Idol carved in black granite clad in pure white cloth |
| Blessings | Mental peace, emotional healing, relief from depression, fame, mother’s health |
| Best Visit Day | Monday (Soma Vaaram) and Purnima (Full Moon Day) |
| Offerings | White flowers, milk, white rice, pearl, silver items, white cloth |
| Temple Legend | Birthplace of Appothi Adigal, devoted follower of Saint Tirunavukkarasar (Appar). Appar brought back to life the son of Appoothi Adigal here — one of the Tevaram miracles. |
| Dosha Remedy | Chandra dosha, mental instability, eye problems, insomnia, mother’s health |
Temple 3 — Vaitheeswaran Kovil (Mars Temple + Nadi Astrology Capital)
Vaidyanathar (God of Healing) Temple · Vaitheeswaran Kovil, near Sirkazhi · 55 km from Kumbakonam
| Planet | Angaraka (Mars) · Deity faces WEST (unique in Tamil Nadu temples) |
| Healing | Siddhamirtha Theertham tank — a bath believed to cure all ailments |
| Best Visit Day | Tuesday (Sevvaai Vaaram) |
| Offerings | Red flowers, red cloth, red lentils (masoor dal), coral, copper items |
| Dosha Remedy | Mangal dosha, marriage delays, chronic illness, courage, protection |
Temple 4 — Thiruvenkadu (Mercury Temple — Budha Stalam)
Swetharanyeswarar and Brahmavidya Ambal · Thiruvenkadu, near Sirkazhi · 90 km from Kumbakonam
| Planet | Budha (Mercury) — God of intelligence, communication, commerce |
| Temple Significance | Shiva performed the Cosmic Dance (Nataraja form) here · Called ‘Kashi of the South’ |
| Three Sacred Tanks | Three sacred pools in the complex + 3 presiding deities — a dip frees from life problems |
| Best Visit Day | Wednesday (Budha Vaaram) |
| Offerings | Green cloth, green gram (moong dal), tulsi leaves, emerald, green vegetables |
| Blessings | Sharp intellect, success in education, business acumen, communication skills |
Thiruvenkadu is also one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams — temples praised in the 7th-century Tevaram hymns of the Nayanmars. For students sitting for competitive examinations, professionals in communication and business, and those with Budha in weak positions in their horoscopes, Thiruvenkadu is considered the most efficacious of the nine Navagraha temples for seeking Mercury’s blessings.
Temple 5 — Alangudi (Jupiter Temple — Guru Stalam)
Apatsahayesvarar (Shiva the Protector in Trouble) · Alangudi · 25 km from Kumbakonam
| Planet | Guru (Jupiter / Brihaspati) — Teacher of the Devas · Planet of wisdom and dharma |
| Most Auspicious Event | Guru Peyarchi (Jupiter’s zodiac transit, every 12–13 months) — lakhs of pilgrims |
| Temple Name Meaning | Apatsahayesvarar = Shiva who helps in times of apadsthana (danger / difficulty) |
| Best Visit Day | Thursday (Guruvaar / Viyazhan) |
| Offerings | Yellow flowers, bananas, yellow cloth, chana dal (chickpeas), gold, yellow cloth |
| Blessings For | Promotion seekers, marriage delay remedy, education blessings, Guru dosha relief, children’s wellbeing |
Temple 6 — Kanjanur (Venus Temple — Sukra Stalam)
Agneeswarar and Kanniyarkuzhalammal · Kanjanur · 20 km from Kumbakonam (3 km from Suryanar Kovil)
| Planet | Shukra (Venus) — Planet of love, beauty, art, marriage, wealth |
| Unique Belief | Shukra is believed to reside within Lord Shiva himself — making this a deeply integrated Shiva-Shakti site |
| Best Visit Day | Friday (Shukra Vaaram / Velli) |
| Offerings | White flowers, white rice pudding (payasam), white cloth, diamond/white sapphire, rice |
| Special Ritual | Special fire rituals (homam) performed here for marital harmony |
| Dosha Remedy | Shukra dosha, late marriage, relationship difficulties, financial instability, arts/beauty |
Temple 7 — Thirunallar (Saturn Temple — Most Visited Navagraha Temple)
Dharbaranyeswarar and Bhoganarthaambigai · Thirunallar, Karaikal, Puducherry UT · 100 km from Kumbakonam
| Planet | Shani (Saturn) — most feared but most just planet in Hindu astrology |
| Key Legend | King Nala (of Nala-Damayanti fame from the Mahabharata) was freed from Shani dosha by bathing in the Nala Theertham here |
| Most Sacred Ritual | Oil abhishekam (gingelly/sesame oil poured on Shani idol) — removes malefic effects powerfully |
| Best Visit Day | Saturday (Shani Vaaram) — arrive before 7 AM. Queue: 2–3 hours on Saturdays |
| Offerings | Black sesame (til), sesame oil, black cloth, iron items, black urad dal, mustard |
| Dosha Remedy | Shani sade-sati, Shani dasha, career obstacles, chronic illness, legal problems |
| Heritage | 7th-century Tamil hymns (Tevaram by Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar) mention this temple · Website: thirunallarutemple.org |
No temple in the entire Navagraha temples Tamil Nadu circuit draws more devotees or more emotional prayers than Thirunallar. The legend of King Nala — reduced to poverty, separated from his wife, and humiliated entirely due to Shani dosha — finding relief by bathing in the Nala Theertham here is one of the most powerful mythological endorsements any temple carries. Thousands of visitors have experienced relief after performing oil abhishekam and circumambulation at Thirunallar, making this one of the most testimony-rich pilgrimage destinations in South India.
Temple 8 — Thirunageswaram (Rahu Temple — Milk Turns Blue)
Naganathar and Piraisoodi Amman · Thirunageswaram · 6 km from Kumbakonam (closest!)
| Planet | Rahu (North Lunar Node / Shadow Planet) — governs foreign lands, sudden changes |
| MIRACLE | When milk is poured on the Rahu idol during abhishekam — it turns BLUE. Witnessed by thousands of pilgrims daily. No official scientific explanation confirmed. |
| Best Visit Day | Saturday and during Rahu Kaalam (specific 90-min window each day) |
| Offerings | Milk (for the blue miracle!), bilva leaves, dark blue/black cloth, Hessonite (Gomedh) |
| Dosha Remedy | Rahu dosha, Kala Sarpa dosha, confusion in career, obstacles to foreign travel |
Being just 6 km from Kumbakonam, Thirunageswaram is the most accessible of all 9 Navagraha temples and is often the first temple visited on the circuit. The milk-turning-blue phenomenon happens consistently during every abhishekam — witnessed by thousands who come specifically to see this daily miracle.
Temple 9 — Keezhperumpallam (Ketu Temple — Spiritual Liberation)
Naganathaswamy and Soundaryanaki · Keezhperumpallam, near Poompuhar · 30 km from Kumbakonam
| Planet | Ketu (South Lunar Node / Shadow Planet) — governs spirituality, past karma, liberation |
| Ketu Legend | Rahu (asura disguised as deva) drank the divine nectar. Vishnu cut his head — the head became Rahu, the body became Ketu |
| Ketu Idol | Enshrined with the body of a demon (asura) and head of a snake |
| Best Visit Day | Tuesday and during Ketu-related planetary hours |
| Offerings | Mixed flowers, grey/variegated cloth, cat’s eye gemstone, coconut, kura grass |
| Blessings | Spiritual growth, liberation from past-life karma, inner wisdom, moksha path · 2 km from Poompuhar (ancient Chola port city) |
Complete Navagraha Offerings Chart — Planet by Planet
| Planet | Best Day | Flowers | Grain / Food | Cloth / Gemstone / Metal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surya (Sun) | Sunday | Red lotus / sunflower | Wheat / jaggery | Red cloth / Ruby / Copper |
| Chandra (Moon) | Monday | White lotus / jasmine | White rice / milk pudding | White cloth / Pearl / Silver |
| Angaraka (Mars) | Tuesday | Red flowers / red oleander | Red lentils / red rice | Red cloth / Coral / Copper |
| Budha (Mercury) | Wednesday | Green gram sprouts / tulsi | Green gram / leafy veg | Green cloth / Emerald / Bronze |
| Guru (Jupiter) | Thursday | Yellow flowers / banana flower | Chana dal / banana / turmeric rice | Yellow cloth / Yellow sapphire / Gold |
| Shukra (Venus) | Friday | White flowers / jasmine | White payasam / white rice | White cloth / Diamond / Silver |
| Shani (Saturn) | Saturday | Blue lotus / black flowers | Black urad dal / sesame oil | Black/blue cloth / Blue sapphire / Iron + sesame oil |
| Rahu | Saturday | Blue/variegated + milk | Milk (turns blue!) | Dark blue cloth / Hessonite (Gomedh) |
| Ketu | Tuesday | Variegated / mixed flowers | Coconut / kura grass | Multi-colour cloth / Cat’s Eye / Lead |
Navagraha Dosha Remedies — Which Temple for Which Problem
| Problem / Dosha | Go to This Navagraha Temple |
|---|---|
| Shani Sade-Sati (7.5-year Saturn transit) | Thirunallar — oil abhishekam + circumambulation on Saturday |
| Mangal Dosha (marriage delay) | Vaitheeswaran Kovil · Red flower offering + Siddhamirtha Theertham bath |
| Rahu-Ketu dosha / Kala Sarpa | Thirunageswaram (Rahu) + Keezhperumpallam (Ketu) — complete the pair |
| Chronic illness / incurable disease | Vaitheeswaran Kovil (God of Healing) · Siddhamirtha tank bath |
| Education / exam / intelligence | Thiruvenkadu — Mercury temple · Wednesday visit + green offerings |
| Financial difficulty / lack of wisdom | Alangudi — Jupiter temple · Thursday visit + banana / chana dal |
| Marriage trouble / relationship issues | Kanjanur — Venus temple · Friday visit + white payasam + fire ritual |
| Mental peace / emotional disturbance | Thingalur — Moon temple · Monday visit on Purnima (full moon) |
| Success abroad / foreign career | Thirunageswaram — Rahu temple · Saturday visit during Rahu Kaalam |
| Spiritual growth / past-life karma | Keezhperumpallam — Ketu temple · Tuesday visit |
How to Plan Your Navagraha Pilgrimage 2026 — Route, Itinerary & Tips
Recommended 2-Day Itinerary from Kumbakonam
| Day/Time | Temple | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 · 6:00 AM | Thirunageswaram | Rahu Temple (6 km) · Start here — most accessible, milk miracle · 6:00–7:30 AM |
| Day 1 · 8:00 AM | Thingalur | Moon Temple (18 km) · Mental peace blessings · 8:00–9:00 AM |
| Day 1 · 9:30 AM | Alangudi | Jupiter Temple (25 km) · Guru blessings · Yellow offerings · 9:30–10:30 AM |
| Day 1 · 11:00 AM | Kanjanur | Venus Temple (20 km) · White offerings · Fire ritual · 11:00–11:30 AM |
| Day 1 · 12:00 PM | Suryanar Kovil | Sun Temple (15 km) · All 9 shrines in one complex · 12:00–1:00 PM · Lunch in Kumbakonam |
| Day 1 · 4:00 PM | Thirunallar | Saturn Temple (100 km via Karaikal) · Oil abhishekam · Saturday: arrive 6:30 AM or this PM visit other days |
| Day 2 · 6:30 AM | Keezhperumpallam | Ketu Temple (30 km) · Spiritual blessings · 6:30–7:30 AM |
| Day 2 · 9:00 AM | Thiruvenkadu | Mercury Temple (90 km) · Kashi of South · Three tanks · 9:00–10:30 AM |
| Day 2 · 12:00 PM | Vaitheeswaran Kovil | Mars Temple (55 km) · Healing tank bath · Nadi Astrology reading optional · 12:00–2:00 PM |
Essential Practical Tips
5:30 AM is ideal. Darshan quality drops sharply after 9 AM as crowds build, especially at Thirunageswaram and Thirunallar.
Hire a private cab from Kumbakonam — most efficient. Shared cabs and tourist taxis available at Kumbakonam station.
Dhoti (men) or saree/salwar kameez (women) mandatory inside all sanctums. Shorts and sleeveless tops not permitted.
All temples FREE but offerings, prasadam, and archana need cash. Digital payment not universal in rural temple areas.
Arrive before 6:30 AM or expect 2–3 hour queue. Saturdays, Amavasya, and Shani Jayanti are the busiest days.
October–March: pleasant weather, manageable crowds. Avoid April–June (38–42°C). Guru Peyarchi draws maximum pilgrims.
Kumbakonam — 6 of the 9 temples are within 30 km. Stay near Kumbakonam Sarangapani or Aadhikumbeswarar Temple.
Train from Chennai (Sethu Express), Madurai, Trichy to Kumbakonam Junction. By air: Trichy Airport (80 km). By road: 280 km from Chennai (4–5 hrs via NH36).
FAQs — Navagraha Temples Tamil Nadu 2026
Begin Your Navagraha Pilgrimage 2026 | Om Navagrahaaya Namah!
9 Temples · All FREE · 2-Day Circuit · Kumbakonam Base · Om Navagrahaaya Namah!
Disclaimer: All temple information, timings, and spiritual significance is verified from official Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department records and on-the-ground documentation. Temple timings may vary during festivals and special planetary events. Always verify current timings with the temple or Tamil Nadu Tourism before travelling. HinduTempleGuide.com is an independent pilgrimage guide. Om Navagrahaaya Namah!
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