The 27 nakshatra temples of Tamil Nadu are a set of Shiva temples, one linked to each of the 27 nakshatras, the birth stars of Indian astrology.
You visit the temple of your own janma nakshatra, your birth star, to seek its blessing and to ease any ill effect in your chart. Your darshan is free at every one. Most of these temples lie in the temple belt around Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, so you can pair several in one trip.
What a birth star temple is
In Indian astrology the moon passes through 27 nakshatras, and the one it sits in at your birth is your janma nakshatra, your birth star. Tamil tradition links each of these 27 stars to a particular Shiva temple. You visit your star's temple on your nakshatra day each month, or on a special trip, to pray for the star's grace. Many people also visit the temple of a star that sits ill in their chart, to ease its effect, much like the Navagraha planet temples.
Find your star temple
To use this list, first learn your janma nakshatra, which a Tamil panchangam or an astrologer can tell you from your birth details. Then find your star below and visit that temple. Some stars have more than one temple linked to them across different sources, so confirm your star's temple locally before you travel, and a temple priest can guide you to the right shrine.
The 27 birth star temples, commonly associated
- Ashwini: Thiruthuraipoondi.
- Bharani: Thiruvalangadu.
- Karthigai: Nagapattinam area.
- Rohini: Thiruvisanallur.
- Mrigasirisham: Kathiramangalam.
- Thiruvadhirai: Thirukollikkadu.
- Punarpoosam: Alangudi.
- Poosam: Thirunandudevankudi.
- Ayilyam: Thirunandudevankudi area.
- Magham: Chidambaram.
- Pooram: Thirumanancheri.
- Uthiram: Poovalur.
- Hastham: Tiruvarur.
- Chithirai: Kuruvithurai.
- Swathi: Thiruvanaikaval.
- Visakam: Cholavandhan.
- Anusham: Thiruvidaimarudhur.
- Kettai: Thanjavur area.
- Moolam: Madurai area.
- Pooradam: Thirunavalur.
- Uthiradam: Mayiladuthurai.
- Thiruvonam: Thiruparkadal, near Chennai.
- Avittam: Kodumudi.
- Sadayam: Thirupugalur.
- Pooratadhi: Kanchipuram area.
- Uthiratadhi: Thiruvaiyaru area.
- Revathi: Omampuliyur.
Sources differ on a few stars, so confirm your own before you set out.
Free darshan and poojas
- Your darshan is free at all the birth star temples.
- On your nakshatra day each month, and on the temple's festival days, the shrine can be busier, so reach early.
- You can arrange an abhishekam or archana in your name for your star at the temple counter. Agree any priest's fee first, because that is a personal service, not the free darshan.
[Confirm each temple's timings and any special pooja on the official HR&CE listing and locally. Last checked 14 September 2026.]
How to plan the visit
Most people do not visit all 27, but travel to their own star temple, and perhaps a family member's. If you do want a longer circuit, base yourself around Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Thanjavur, where many of the temples cluster, and pair them with the Navagraha temples nearby. A local driver makes the village temples far easier to reach. Give yourself time, because the temples keep a midday closing like other Tamil Nadu shrines.
How to reach
The base for most of these temples is the Kumbakonam and Thanjavur belt in Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli, and Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Thanjavur have railway stations. A few star temples sit near Chennai, Madurai or Kanchipuram, so check where your own star temple is before you plan the route.
What to carry
Carry a photo identity and modest dress for the shrines. Carry your birth star detail so you reach the right temple. Carry water and a hat for a day of village temple visits, and small cash for a pooja, lamps and offerings, even where counters take digital payment. A temple priest can guide you on the offering your star takes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Your biggest mistake would be paying a private site for a "nakshatra pooja booking," when the darshan is free and you arrange poojas at the temple counter. Next, do not travel before you have confirmed your own star's temple, because some stars have more than one. Do not ignore the midday closing. Do not try to rush a long circuit in a day, because the temples are spread across villages.
Questions people ask
What are the 27 nakshatra temples?
A set of Tamil Nadu Shiva temples, one linked to each of the 27 birth stars of Indian astrology.
How do I find my star temple?
Learn your janma nakshatra from a panchangam or an astrologer, then visit the temple linked to that star, confirming it locally.
Is darshan free?
Yes, your darshan is free at all of them. You pay only for a pooja in your name at the counter.
Do I have to visit all 27?
No. Most people visit their own birth star temple, and perhaps a family member's.
Where do most of them lie?
In the temple belt around Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, with a few near Chennai, Madurai and Kanchipuram.
Is there an official booking site?
No single one. These are Tamil Nadu government HR&CE temples with free darshan, so you arrange poojas at the counters.