Keezhaperumpallam, near Poompuhar on the Tamil Nadu coast, is the Navagraha temple for Ketu, set in the Naganathaswamy Shiva temple.
Your darshan is free. You come to pray to Ketu and to ease its effect, above all if you have a Ketu period or a Kala Sarpa dosha in your chart, and it pairs with the Rahu temple at Thirunageswaram. It is the ninth of the nine planet temples on the Kumbakonam circuit, and many pilgrims keep it for last.
Ketu and the parihara
Ketu is the shadowy south node, linked to detachment and sudden turns, and people with a Ketu period or a Kala Sarpa dosha come here for relief. Many pilgrims visit the Rahu temple at Thirunageswaram and the Ketu temple here together, because the two nodes are treated as a pair for the Kala Sarpa dosha. You can arrange an abhishekam or an archana to Ketu at the temple counter. Agree any priest's fee first, because that is a personal service, not the free darshan.
Free darshan and timings
- Your darshan is free and open to all.
- The temple opens in a morning window and again in the late afternoon and evening, with a midday break, so plan around the closed hours.
- The Rahu Kalam and Ketu hours of the day, and festival days, draw more pilgrims, so check the day's timing.
[Confirm the exact timings and any special pooja on the HR&CE listing and locally. Last checked 14 September 2026.]
How to reach
Keezhaperumpallam is near Poompuhar and Mayiladuthurai in the Nagapattinam region of Tamil Nadu, at the eastern end of the Navagraha circuit. The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli, and Mayiladuthurai and Sirkazhi have railway stations. You reach it by road from Kumbakonam or Mayiladuthurai. Pair it with the other eight planet temples, and with the Rahu temple in particular.
What to carry
Carry a photo identity and modest dress for the shrine. Carry small cash for a pooja, lamps and any offering, even where counters accept digital payment. Carry water and a hat for a day of temple visits. Keep a note of each planet's temple, because this is often the last of the nine.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Your biggest mistake would be paying a private site for a "Ketu pooja booking," when your darshan is free and you arrange poojas at the temple counter. Next, do not visit Ketu without the Rahu temple if you come for a Kala Sarpa dosha, because pilgrims treat them as a pair. Do not ignore the midday closing. Do not miss nearby Poompuhar on the coast.
Questions people ask
Is Keezhaperumpallam darshan free?
Yes, your darshan is free. You pay only for a pooja or lamps at the temple.
Which planet is this?
Ketu, the south node, in the Naganathaswamy Shiva temple at Keezhaperumpallam.
Who comes here?
People in a Ketu period or with a Kala Sarpa dosha, seeking relief.
Should I pair it with the Rahu temple?
Yes, many pilgrims visit the Rahu temple at Thirunageswaram and this Ketu temple together for the Kala Sarpa dosha.
Is there an official booking site?
No. It is a Tamil Nadu government HR&CE temple with free darshan, so arrange any pooja at the counter.