Navagraha Temple Tour Guide: The Nine Planets in Two Days
The nine Navagraha temples around Kumbakonam, the order to visit them in, and how to plan parihara pujas without losing a day to driving.
The nine Navagraha temples honour the planetary deities — Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Angaraka (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu. All nine lie within about 60 km of Kumbakonam in the Cauvery delta, which is why this is one of the most doable pilgrimage circuits in the south.
The temples and their planets
| Planet | Temple | Town |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Suryanar Kovil | near Kumbakonam |
| Moon | Kailasanathar | Thingalur |
| Mars | Vaitheeswaran Koil | Vaitheeswaran Koil |
| Mercury | Swetharanyeswarar | Thiruvenkadu |
| Jupiter | Apatsahayesvarar | Alangudi |
| Venus | Agneeswarar | Kanjanur |
| Saturn | Naganathaswamy | Thirunallar |
| Rahu | Naganathar | Thirunageswaram |
| Ketu | Naganathaswamy | Keezhperumpallam |
Planning the route
Most pilgrims complete the circuit over two days, basing themselves in Kumbakonam. The order matters less than the timing — each temple has specific abhishekam and darshan windows. An experienced driver sequences the day so you reach each shrine when it's open and least crowded.
If you plan parihara pujas, allow extra time at Thirunallar (Saturn) and the Rahu/Ketu temples, where rituals are most sought-after.
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