Navagraha Temple Tour

Navagraha Temple Tour

7 days / 6 nightsStarts Chennai
From ₹35,923, See pricing
7 days
6 nights
Chennai
start point
October to March
best season

Plan your route

Choose your start city

To make your journey as you would like it to be, this tour offers multiple start city options. Pick where you would like to begin, and the days, the temples covered and the price all update to match.

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Overview

Tour overview

The Navagraha Temple Tour takes you to the nine temples of the nine planets, set in the green delta country around Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. In the Hindu way, each planet, or graha, has its own temple, and a visit to all nine in one journey is believed to calm the planets and bring peace to your life. Most of these temples are Shiva temples, where Lord Shiva is the main deity and the planet is honoured in his own shrine. At Suryanar Kovil the Sun God himself is the main deity, which is rare and special.

You can begin this yatra from Chennai for a fuller trip with Kanchipuram and Pondicherry, or from Trichy for a short and quick temple circuit. Whichever start you choose, a WayToIndia guide plans the temple order so that your darshan is calm and your days are gentle.

Navagraha Temple Tour makes the travellers experience the Hindu traditions of worshiping deities in the forms like trees, animals, mountains and celestial bodies. The Navagraha Temples built by the great Chola Rulers in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu are abodes to the nine celestial bodies.

Best Time

October to March

Ideal For

Families, Couples

This journey

Tour highlights

Worship at all nine Navagraha temples around Kumbakonam in one journey
Begin at Kanchipuram, the city of a thousand temples, with Ekambareswarar and Kamakshi Amman
Stop at Chidambaram for darshan of Lord Nataraja, the cosmic dancer
See the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram, a World Heritage site
Rest by the sea at Pondicherry, the old French town, after your temple days
A calm, well paced journey of seven days with local guides

Destinations covered

ChennaiKanchipuramChidambaramKumbakonam

Day by day

Day-by-day itinerary: From Chennai

7 days and 6 nights, starting in Chennai. Tap any day for the stay, meals and detail.

Today you arrive in Chennai and drive to Kanchipuram, the city of a thousand temples. After you settle in, you begin your darshan at the great temples of Kanchipuram, the Ekambareswarar temple of Lord Shiva, the Kamakshi Amman temple, and the ancient Kailasanathar temple. This is a gentle and blessed start to your Navagraha yatra. Overnight in Kanchipuram.
Hotel in KanchipuramBreakfast
After breakfast you drive south towards Kumbakonam, the base for the nine Navagraha temples. On the way you stop at Chidambaram for darshan of Lord Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, at the famous Thillai Nataraja temple. You reach Kumbakonam by evening and rest for the temple days ahead. Overnight in Kumbakonam.
Hotel in KumbakonamBreakfast
Today you begin the heart of your yatra. You visit the temples that lie close to Kumbakonam. At Suryanar Kovil you offer prayers to Surya, the Sun, the only temple among the nine where the Sun God himself is the main deity. You continue to Kanjanur for Sukra, the planet Venus, to Thingalur for Chandra, the Moon, to Alangudi for Guru, the planet Jupiter, and to Thirunageswaram for Rahu. In these temples Lord Shiva is worshipped as the main deity, and the graha is honoured in his own shrine. Overnight in Kumbakonam.
Hotel in KumbakonamBreakfast
Today you complete the nine temples. You travel towards Mayiladuthurai and Karaikal for the remaining graha. At Vaitheeswaran Koil you pray to Angaraka, the planet Mars, at the temple of Lord Vaitheeswaran, known as the healer. You visit Thiruvenkadu for Budha, the planet Mercury, Keezhaperumpallam for Ketu, and Thirunallar for Shani, the planet Saturn, the most visited Saturn shrine of all. Please remember that Saturdays and the Sani Peyarchi season bring very large crowds at Thirunallar, so your guide will plan the timing with care. Overnight in Kumbakonam.
Hotel in KumbakonamBreakfast
This morning you see the finest of the Chola temples near Kumbakonam. You visit the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram, a World Heritage site recognised by UNESCO, and if time allows the great Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur. In the afternoon you drive to Pondicherry, the old French town by the sea. Overnight in Pondicherry.
Hotel in PondicherryBreakfast
Today is a restful day in Pondicherry after your temple journey. You can walk the seafront Promenade, see the French Quarter with its calm streets, and visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. If you wish, you can make a short trip to Auroville. This is your day to slow down and take in the sea air. Overnight in Pondicherry.
Hotel in PondicherryBreakfast
After breakfast you drive back to Chennai for your onward journey. You carry home the blessings of all nine graha and the peace of the Chola country.
Breakfast

Temples on the way

Sacred temples you can visit

On this journey you come close to 3 holy temples of India, from the Divya Desam, Navagraha, Arupadai Veedu circuits. Below you can see each temple and how far it is from where you stay, so you can plan your darshan with a calm mind and enough time.

Where you stay

Sarangapani (Kumbakonam) Divya Desam

Divya Desam, Vishnu, Tamil Nadu

While you stay at Kumbakonam, you can have darshan at Sarangapani (Kumbakonam) Divya Desam.

Navagraha Temples (around Kumbakonam)

Navagraha, Navagraha, Tamil Nadu

While you stay at Kumbakonam, you can have darshan at Navagraha Temples (around Kumbakonam).

Swamimalai Murugan Temple

Arupadai Veedu, Murugan, Tamil Nadu

While you stay at Kumbakonam, you can have darshan at Swamimalai Murugan Temple.

UNESCO World Heritage

World Heritage Sites on this journey

This tour takes you close to 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site of India. These are places the world has recognised as our shared treasure. Below you can see each one and how far it is from where you stay, so you can plan your darshan and sightseeing with time to spare.

A short drive from your stay

Great Living Chola Temples

Cultural, Inscribed 1987, Tamil Nadu

Great Living Chola Temples is a short drive from your stay at Kumbakonam (about 34 km). You can see it as a half-day trip.

Want to plan your trip around India’s World Heritage Sites? See all UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India.

What's included

What's included

Included

  • ✓Accommodation on double/twin-sharing basis in the hotels.
  • ✓Meals, as mentioned in the detailed itinerary and costing that, shall be shared with you.
  • ✓All transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary by Vehicle as per the number of persons(Only land transfers).
  • ✓Driver allowance, parking, toll, interstate taxes.
  • ✓Goods & Service Tax at the prevailing rates.

Not included

  • ✕Items of personal nature like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips etc.
  • ✕Any other meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions.
  • ✕Any guide fee, entrances, camera fee etc.
  • ✕Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control.
  • ✕Any other item not specifically mentioned above in 'Prices Include'
  • ✕Any air/rail/coach/ferry fares.
  • ✕Any change in package price due to hike in fuel prices and government taxes.
  • ✕Any surcharges for super peak season.

What travellers say

What travellers say

4.7
Way to India · rated 4.7★ on Google across 46 reviews
Y
Yashvind Kumar Poteeram★★★★★
“A big thanks to Way To India for organising such a truly memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience during our 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan pilgrimage from 1st May to 18th May. They organized the entire journey exceptionally well, ensuring that every aspect of the trip was smooth, comfortable, and hassle-free. From transportation and hotel arrangements to darshan planning and coordination, everything was managed professionally. Despite the extensive travel across multiple destinations, the itinerary was well-structured, allowing us to complete all the Jyotirlinga darshans comfortably. Thanks to staff of Way To India, especially, Ms Neha, who was supportive, responsive, and attentive throughout the journey, always ready to assist whenever needed. Her dedication and careful planning made this sacred pilgrimage stress-free and enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate their excellent service, commitment, and hospitality. Highly recommend Way To India to anyone planning a spiritual tour, especially for the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra. Thank you for making this divine journey so special and memorable.”
2 months ago, Google
A
Aruna Persand★★★★★
“We have successfully completed the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, with Waytoindia and it was a truly blessed and unforgettable journey. Every aspect of the tour was well planned and professionally organized, from transportation and accommodations to temple visits and sightseeing. Visiting all twelve sacred Jyotirlingas was a deeply spiritual experience. The itinerary was designed efficiently, allowing us to have darshan at each shrine comfortably while enjoying the cultural and religious significance of every destination. We sincerely appreciate the excellent support and coordination throughout the trip. The team was always available to assist, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pilgrimage. Thank you Waytoindia for making our dream of completing the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra a reality. We highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a well-organized and spiritually enriching pilgrimage experience. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏🕉️”
2 months ago, Google
Y
Yash Bhargava★★★★★
“We recently entrusted our honeymoon planning to 'Way to India', and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. From itinerary finalization to on-ground execution, everything was handled with remarkable professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail. Every aspect of our trip — flights, hotels, transfers, experiences, and even the small thoughtful touches — was perfectly curated. The itinerary was balanced, well-planned, and tailored exactly to what we wanted. We never had to worry about a single thing; all arrangements were seamless and absolutely hassle-free. What truly stood out was their responsiveness and genuine care. They were always available, always patient, and consistently went the extra mile to ensure our journey was special. Special thanks to Neha Ma'am for planning everything. We are incredibly grateful and wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone looking for a stress-free, personalised, and delightful travel experience. Thank you for making our honeymoon truly magical!”
5 months ago, Google

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The best time to visit the Navagraha temples is between November and February. During these months, the weather is cooler, with temperatures ranging from 20-25°C, making it more comfortable for sightseeing and travel.

Yes, it is advisable to dress modestly when visiting the Navagraha temples. Traditional attire such as sarees for women and dhotis for men is often preferred. Ensure your shoulders and knees are covered as a sign of respect.

In Chennai, you can use auto rickshaws, but they can be expensive. Pre-booked call taxis are a reliable option. Public buses and local trains are also available and well-connected, offering a budget-friendly way to navigate the city.

Yes, Tamil is the primary language spoken in Chennai, and there are fewer Hindi speakers. It may be helpful to learn a few basic Tamil phrases or use translation apps to communicate effectively.

Pack light, breathable clothing suitable for warm weather. Include comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle. If visiting during the monsoon, bring an umbrella or raincoat.

Generally, Tamil Nadu is safe for tourists. However, it's wise to stay vigilant, especially in crowded areas. Avoid displaying valuables and be cautious when using public transport at night.

No special permits are required to visit the Navagraha temples. However, it's advisable to check for any specific temple regulations or guidelines before your visit.

The typical itinerary includes visits to several temples over five days, starting from Chennai and covering key sites like Vaitheeswaran, Thiruvengadu, and Kumbakonam, among others. Each day is planned to maximize your experience.

To ensure a smooth travel experience, plan your itinerary in advance, stay hydrated, and respect local customs and traditions. It's also helpful to have a local guide who can assist with navigation and cultural insights.

During your tour, it's best to drink bottled or filtered water to avoid waterborne illnesses. Be cautious with street food; opt for freshly prepared items from reputable vendors to minimize health risks.

Yes, many tour operators offer customizable itineraries. You can discuss your preferences and interests with your travel agent to tailor the tour to your needs.

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