Navagraha Temples: The Nine Planet Temples Near Kumbakonam

The nine Navagraha temples: list, planet and distance

This is the list of the nine temples, the planet at each, and the road distance from Kumbakonam, the natural base for your journey. The distances are approximate and rounded.

Where are the Navagraha temples

All nine cluster within about 60 km of Kumbakonam, in the green delta country of Tamil Nadu. Kumbakonam is the one base that makes the circuit work. You stay there and drive out to each temple.

Kumbakonam is a well connected railway junction. It is about 90 km from Tiruchirappalli, or Trichy, airport, and about 282 km from Chennai. Many pilgrims fly to Trichy for the short circuit, or travel from Chennai for a fuller trip. The nearest railhead to Thirunallar is Nagore, about 10 km away.

The Navagraha temple route and how many days

There is no compulsory order, but distance makes one sensible. You begin with the near cluster, then take the coastal leg.

The near cluster

Four temples sit close to Kumbakonam: Thirunageswaram for Rahu, Suryanar Kovil for the Sun, Alangudi for Jupiter, and Kanjanur for Venus. These make an easy first morning, all a short drive from your base.

The coastal leg

The farther temples run towards the coast: Thingalur for the Moon, Vaitheeswaran Koil for Mars, Thiruvenkadu for Mercury, Keezhaperumpallam for Ketu, and Thirunallar for Saturn at Karaikal. These fill a second day.

How many days

You can rush all nine in one long day, and many operators do, starting about 5 am. But two to three days from Kumbakonam is far more comfortable. It suits seniors and gives you time for a proper parihara.

Navagraha temple timings and the midday closure

Every Navagraha temple closes for a long midday break. This is the one rule every plan must respect, so a calm pace serves you better than a dash.

Most temples open about 6 am, close about 12:30 pm to 1 pm, and open again about 4 pm. Suryanar Kovil runs about 6 am to 12:30 pm, and about 4 pm to 8 pm. Thirunallar runs about 6 am to 1 pm, and about 4 pm to 9 pm. These hours shift with festivals and season, so reconfirm each temple on the day.

Thirunallar, the Saturn temple, and Sani Peyarchi

Thirunallar, near Karaikal, is the Saturn temple and the most visited of the nine. It is about 52 km from Kumbakonam, in the Puducherry union territory.

Pilgrims bathe in or sprinkle the water of the Nala Theertham tank before the Saturn darshan. Tradition holds that King Nala was freed of Saturn's grip after this bath, so it is the one step you do not skip here.

Thirunallar is at its busiest on Saturdays and during Sani Peyarchi, the Saturn transit. Sani Peyarchi is a two day festival held about every two and a half years, when Saturn changes rashi. Saturn entered Pisces about 29 March 2025, and the next major transit is expected about June 2027. Reconfirm the exact date before you plan a transit visit.

How to do the Navagraha parihara

The circuit is a journey of remedy, or parihara, for the planets' influence. At each temple you light the lamp for that planet and go around the shrine clockwise, keeping the deity on your right.

The archanai is done in your name and birth star, so carry your nakshatra and gotra details written down. Each planet has its own colour, grain, flower or cloth, and many pilgrims offer these. The temple or your guide can arrange them.

You do not have to do all nine. If only one planet troubles you, often Saturn, you can visit just that temple and do the parihara there. General darshan at all nine is free. The archanai and any abhishekam are paid at each temple counter, so agree the amount there before the ritual.

Best time to visit the Navagraha temples

The best months are October to March, when the delta is cool and pleasant for your visit. The mornings are cool, which suits the early start the circuit rewards. April to June is hot and sticky, so do the temples in the early morning and rest through the midday closure.

Temple etiquette: dress, water and what to carry

These are living, traditional temples. Dress modestly, and avoid jeans, shorts and tight clothing. Keep your shoulders and knees covered, and remove your footwear at the stand.

Carry your nakshatra and gotra details and a photo ID. Keep silence inside the shrine and go around clockwise. On the long delta days, drink only packaged or filtered water, and carry a hat and sun cover.

Temples to pair with the Navagraha circuit

The Navagraha circuit sits among some of the south's greatest temples. Near Kumbakonam you can add the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram, the Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur, and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. These three are the Great Living Chola Temples, recognised by UNESCO. Swamimalai, an abode of Lord Murugan, is about 8 to 9 km from Kumbakonam.

The legend of the nine planets and King Nala

Two legends run through these temples. In the first, the nine planets overstepped their powers by curing the leprosy of Sage Kalava. Lord Brahma cursed them to suffer leprosy themselves. The planets prayed to Lord Shiva, who relieved them and set this delta as one of their abodes. This is why eight of the nine temples have Shiva as the main deity.

The second legend belongs to Thirunallar. King Nala, a great ruler, fell under the affliction of Saturn. He lost his kingdom and wandered as a beggar. The sage Bharadwaja sent him to worship at Thirunallar. Only after a dip in the holy tank was he freed of Saturn's grip. That tank has ever since been called Nala Theertham.