Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios)
👥 3–4🧳 2 bags
Budget couple / small-family darshan day trips
Tour Overview
The nine Navagraha temples around Kumbakonam, each dedicated to one planetary deity, driven in the traditional order for graha-shanti (planetary remedy) worship.
SuryanarThingaloor (Chandran)Vaitheeswaran Koil (Angaraka)Thiruvenkadu (Budhan)Alangudi (Guru)Kanchanoor (Sukran)Thirunallar (Sani)Thirunageswaram (Rahu)Keezhperumpallam (Ketu)
📍 Speciality & significance
The Navagraha Sthalams are nine ancient Chola-era temples clustered in the Cauvery delta, each presided over by one of the nine planets (grahas). Pilgrims visit for parihara — remedial worship to ease the planetary influences in their horoscope — with Thirunallar (Saturn/Shani) the most visited of all.
Because the nine temples are spread across the delta towns around Kumbakonam, a car is the natural way to complete them in the right sequence within two to three days, allowing time for the specific archanas and lamp offerings each graha temple is known for.
🛕 Suryanar Koil (Sun)
Suryanar Koil, near Kumbakonam, is the principal temple of the Navagraha circuit dedicated to Surya, the Sun. Unusually, the Sun is the presiding deity here rather than a secondary figure, and he is depicted with his consorts, while shrines to the other eight planetary deities surround him within the same complex. Traditionally believed to date to the medieval Chola period, the temple draws devotees seeking relief from afflictions associated with the Sun in their horoscopes and blessings for health, vitality and success.
Pilgrims typically offer prayers and light lamps at the Sun shrine and the surrounding planetary sanctums, and Sundays are considered especially auspicious. The temple is largely level and accessible, making it comfortable for elderly devotees. The cooler months are pleasant for the delta circuit. Modest dress is customary. As the anchor of the nine-planet pilgrimage around Kumbakonam, it is usually the starting point, and its closeness to the other Navagraha temples makes it easy to combine into a single devotional journey through the region.
🛕 Vaitheeswaran Koil (Mars)
Vaitheeswaran Koil, between Mayiladuthurai and Sirkazhi, honours Shiva as Vaidyanatha, revered as the divine healer, and serves as the Navagraha shrine for Angaraka, or Mars. Devotees traditionally believe that prayers here bring relief from illness, and the temple tank is held to have curative significance. The name itself means the temple of the god of healing. Pilgrims come seeking recovery from ailments and the easing of Mars-related afflictions in their horoscopes, making it one of the most visited of the delta planetary temples.
Worship here often includes bathing in the sacred tank and offerings connected with health and healing, and Tuesdays are considered auspicious for Mars. The temple is largely at ground level and manageable for older pilgrims. The cooler season suits the delta circuit. Modest attire is expected. The temple town is also historically associated with traditional Nadi astrology practitioners. Its location among the other Navagraha temples near Kumbakonam makes it a natural stop on the nine-planet pilgrimage.
🛕 Thirunallar (Saturn)
Thirunallar, near Karaikal, is the most renowned of the Navagraha temples and is dedicated to Shiva as Dharbaranyeswara, with a celebrated shrine to Saturn, Saniswaran. Traditionally associated with the legend of King Nala, who is believed to have been freed from Saturn's grip here, the temple draws vast numbers seeking relief from the trying periods that Saturn is thought to bring in one's life. It is widely regarded as the foremost place to propitiate Saturn among the nine planetary shrines.
A customary rite is a bath in the temple tank before darshan, after which devotees pray at the Saturn shrine, and Saturdays are especially significant. The transit of Saturn, observed periodically, brings enormous crowds. The temple is largely level and accessible for the elderly, though peak days involve long queues. Modest dress is customary. The cooler months are comfortable. Being close to the other delta Navagraha temples, Thirunallar is a central stop on the nine-planet pilgrimage around Kumbakonam and Karaikal.
🛕 Thirunageswaram (Rahu)
Thirunageswaram, near Kumbakonam, is dedicated to Shiva as Naganathar and is the Navagraha temple for Rahu, one of the two shadow planets. Devotees traditionally believe that worship here eases the difficulties associated with Rahu in the horoscope, including obstacles in marriage and career. The temple is noted for the milk-abhishekam ritual performed on the Rahu deity, during which the offering is widely observed to take on a bluish hue, a phenomenon that draws many devotees and adds to the shrine's fame.
Rahu Kalam periods, particularly on certain days, are considered especially potent for worship here, and pilgrims gather to witness the abhishekam. The temple is largely at ground level and suitable for elderly visitors. The cooler months are pleasant for the delta circuit. Modest attire is expected. As one of the two shadow-planet shrines of the Navagraha set, Thirunageswaram is usually visited together with Keezhperumpallam and the other planetary temples clustered around Kumbakonam.
🛕 Keezhperumpallam (Ketu)
Keezhperumpallam, near Poompuhar in the Cauvery delta, is dedicated to Shiva as Naganathaswamy and serves as the Navagraha temple for Ketu, the second of the two shadow planets. Devotees traditionally come to seek relief from Ketu-related afflictions in their horoscopes and blessings for spiritual progress and the removal of hidden obstacles. Ketu is depicted here in his serpent-associated form, and the temple completes the pairing with Thirunageswaram, which honours Rahu, the two shadow planets of the nine.
Worship focuses on the Ketu shrine, with pilgrims offering prayers during auspicious periods to ease the planet's influence. The temple is quiet and largely level, making it comfortable for elderly devotees. The cooler months suit the delta pilgrimage. Modest dress is customary. Its coastal delta location near Poompuhar can be combined with the historic sites of the region. As the ninth shrine, it typically rounds off the Navagraha circuit that winds through the temples around Kumbakonam and Karaikal.
🛕 The Navagraha Circuit (Nine Planet Temples)
The Navagraha Yatra around Kumbakonam links nine ancient temples, each associated with one of the nine celestial bodies of traditional Indian astrology, the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. Unusually, most of these are Shiva temples where a particular planet is honoured in a subordinate shrine, with Suryanar Koil being the notable exception where the Sun himself presides. Devotees undertake the circuit to seek balance and relief from the planetary influences believed to shape health, fortune and the events of one's life.
Pilgrims traditionally aim to complete all nine shrines, often within a short span, offering prayers, lighting lamps and performing rituals particular to each planet. The temples lie fairly close together across the fertile delta, making the circuit convenient to undertake by road over a day or two. The cooler months are the most comfortable season. Modest attire is expected throughout. Most shrines are largely level and accessible for elderly pilgrims, and the route naturally combines with Kumbakonam's other celebrated temples.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kumbakonam — Suryanar, Guru, Angaraka
Suryanar Koil (Sun), Alangudi (Guru/Jupiter) and Vaitheeswaran Koil (Angaraka/Mars).
Day 2: Sani, Budhan, Ketu, Rahu
Thirunallar (Shani), Thiruvenkadu (Budhan), Keezhperumpallam (Ketu) and Thirunageswaram (Rahu).
Day 3: Chandran, Sukran → return
Thingaloor (Chandran/Moon) and Kanchanoor (Sukran/Venus), then return.
Vehicles for this yatra
Recommended for this circuit — we finalise by your group size and luggage.
Satvik / pure-veg stopover friendlyTemple-timing & dress-code aware driversAll-inclusive tolls, parking & permitsRegional-language drivers (Tamil / Kannada / Telugu / Hindi)
Frequently asked questions
Which temples does the Kumbakonam Navagraha — Nine Planet Temples cover?
The Kumbakonam Navagraha — Nine Planet Temples covers Suryanar, Thingaloor (Chandran), Vaitheeswaran Koil (Angaraka), Thiruvenkadu (Budhan), Alangudi (Guru), Kanchanoor (Sukran), Thirunallar (Sani), Thirunageswaram (Rahu), Keezhperumpallam (Ketu), driven from Trichy / Kumbakonam / Chennai over 3 Days / 2 Nights.
How do I travel for the Kumbakonam Navagraha — Nine Planet Temples?
This is a direct road trip — a SARA CAB chauffeur-driven vehicle departs from Trichy and runs the entire circuit.
Which vehicle is best for the Kumbakonam Navagraha — Nine Planet Temples?
We recommend Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios), Ertiga / Carens, Innova Crysta / Hycross, chosen by your group size and luggage.
How much does the Kumbakonam Navagraha — Nine Planet Temples cost?
Starting from ₹23,000, with driver allowance, tolls, parking and applicable permits as clear line items. Hotels and darshan tickets are quoted separately.
Starting from
₹23,000
Cab, driver, tolls, parking & permits. Hotels & darshan quoted separately.
Get your yatra fare
Pick your dates and vehicle for an exact cab fare.
Booking just the cab? See Chennai To Trichy cab fares.