The Navagraha temples are nine Shiva temples in the Kumbakonam region of Tamil Nadu, each linked to one of the nine planets, or grahas, of Indian astrology.
Pilgrims visit all nine to seek the blessing of the planets and to ease the effects a planet may have in their chart. Your darshan is free at every one. Eight sit close together near Kumbakonam, and the ninth, for Saturn, is at Thirunallar in nearby Karaikal. You can cover the circuit in one to two days by road.
The nine temples and their planets
- Sun, Surya: Suryanar Kovil, near Kumbakonam. The only temple built for the Sun with shrines to all nine grahas around him.
- Moon, Chandra: Kailasanathar temple, Thingalur.
- Mars, Angaraka or Chevvai: Vaitheeswaran Koil, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the divine healer.
- Mercury, Budha: Swetharanyeswarar temple, Thiruvenkadu.
- Jupiter, Guru or Brihaspati: Apatsahayesvarar temple, Alangudi. A key stop for Guru Peyarchi, when Jupiter changes sign.
- Venus, Shukra: Agneeswarar temple, Kanjanur.
- Saturn, Shani: Dharbaranyeswarar temple, Thirunallar, in Karaikal. The most visited of the nine, above all on Saturdays and at Shani Peyarchi.
- Rahu: Naganathaswamy temple, Thirunageswaram. Famous for the Rahu Kalam pooja, when milk poured over the deity is said to turn blue.
- Ketu: Naganathaswamy temple, Keezhaperumpallam, near Poompuhar.
The best order to visit
Most pilgrims base themselves at Kumbakonam and cover the eight nearby temples over one or two days, then add Thirunallar for Saturn. A common order follows the traditional sequence of the planets: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. Because the temples lie in a loop around Kumbakonam, a local driver can plan a route that saves you backtracking. Give yourself a full day for the eight near Kumbakonam, and half a day more for Thirunallar.
Parihara poojas, in plain words
The reason many people come is the parihara, the remedy pooja for a planet that sits ill in their birth chart. At each temple you can arrange an abhishekam or archana in your name to the graha, light lamps, and offer the grains, cloth colour and flower linked to that planet. Thirunageswaram is known for the Rahu Kalam pooja, and Vaitheeswaran Koil for healing prayers. You arrange these at the temple's own counter. Agree any priest's fee before the pooja, because that is a personal service, not the free darshan.
Free darshan and timings
- Your darshan is free at all nine temples.
- Most open in a morning window and again in the late afternoon and evening, with a midday break, like other Tamil Nadu temples, so plan your route around the closed hours.
- Thirunallar, for Saturn, is busiest on Saturdays and at Shani Peyarchi, when the crowd is very large, so reach early.
[Confirm each temple's exact timings and any special pooja on the official HR&CE listing and locally. Last checked 14 September 2026.]
How to reach
The base for the circuit is Kumbakonam, in the Thanjavur region of Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli, and Kumbakonam and nearby Mayiladuthurai have railway stations. From Kumbakonam you cover the eight nearby temples by road, most within an hour or two of each other, and Thirunallar is a short drive on towards Karaikal. A hired car or a temple tour is the easiest way, because the temples are spread across villages.
Where to stay
Kumbakonam is the usual base, with a good range of hotels and lodges, and it puts you within easy reach of eight of the nine temples. Some pilgrims also stay at Mayiladuthurai or Karaikal for the eastern temples. Book ahead during Guru Peyarchi, Shani Peyarchi and the festival season, when pilgrims fill the town.
What to carry
Carry a photo identity, comfortable clothes for a day of temple visits, and modest dress for the shrines. Carry water and a hat, because you move in and out of the sun. Carry small cash for poojas, lamps and the offerings linked to each planet, even where counters take digital payment. If you plan poojas, note the grains, cloth colour and flower each planet takes, which the priests will guide you on.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Your biggest mistake would be paying a private site for a "Navagraha darshan" or "parihara booking," when the darshan is free and you arrange poojas at the temple counter. Next, do not try to rush all nine in a few hours, because the drive between villages takes time. Do not ignore the midday closing, so plan your route around it. Do not miss Thirunallar for Saturn, which many treat as the most important of the nine.
Questions people ask
What are the Navagraha temples?
Nine Shiva temples in the Kumbakonam region, each linked to one of the nine planets of Indian astrology.
Is darshan free?
Yes, your darshan is free at all nine. You pay only for a pooja in your name, arranged at the temple counter.
How many days do I need?
One to two days for the eight near Kumbakonam, plus half a day for Thirunallar.
Which is the most important?
Many treat Thirunallar, for Saturn, as the key temple, above all on Saturdays and at Shani Peyarchi.
Where do I base myself?
At Kumbakonam, which is close to eight of the nine temples.
Is there an official booking site?
No single one. Eight are Tamil Nadu government HR&CE temples and one is a Puducherry government temple, and darshan is free, so arrange poojas at the counters.