Suryanar Kovil, near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, is the Navagraha temple for the Sun, Surya, and the only one built with a shrine for the Sun as the main deity, with all nine planets around him.
Your darshan is free. You come to pray to the Sun for health, confidence and good fortune, and to ease a weak Sun in your chart. It is a natural first stop on the nine planet circuit, and Sundays and the Ratha Saptami festival are its special days.
The Sun and all nine planets
This temple is special because the Sun, Surya, is the main deity, which is rare, and all nine grahas have their own shrines here around him. So you can begin your whole Navagraha circuit at Suryanar Kovil, paying respects to every planet in one place before you visit the other eight temples. You pray to the Sun for good health, energy and standing, and you can arrange an abhishekam or an archana in your name at the temple counter, in the red that the Sun takes. 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.
- Sundays are the Sun's day, and Ratha Saptami, usually in the winter, is the big festival, so both are busier.
[Confirm the exact timings and any special pooja on the HR&CE listing and locally. Last checked 14 September 2026.]
How to reach
Suryanar Kovil is near Aduthurai, close to Kumbakonam in the Thanjavur region of Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli, and Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai have railway stations. You reach it by road from Kumbakonam in well under an hour. Pair it with the other eight planet temples on a one or two day circuit, and start here because all nine planets are present.
What to carry
Carry a photo identity and modest dress for the shrine. Carry small cash for a pooja, lamps and the offerings the Sun takes, even where counters accept digital payment. Carry water and a hat for a day of temple visits in the sun. If you plan the full circuit, keep a note of each planet's temple so you do not miss one.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Your biggest mistake would be paying a private site for a "Surya pooja booking," when your darshan is free and you arrange poojas at the temple counter. Next, do not ignore the midday closing. Do not rush the nine shrines here, because you can honour every planet in this one temple. Do not miss the other eight planet temples nearby.
Questions people ask
Is Suryanar Kovil darshan free?
Yes, your darshan is free. You pay only for a pooja or lamps at the temple.
Why is it special?
The Sun, Surya, is the main deity here, which is rare, and all nine planets have shrines around him.
Should I start my circuit here?
Many pilgrims do, because you can pay respects to every planet in this one temple first.
When is it busiest?
On Sundays and at the Ratha Saptami festival.
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.