Navagraha Temple Order List to Visit in Tamil Nadu (Astrological)

For years, I’d heard people talk about the Navagraha temples near Kumbakonam — nine shrines, each tied to one planet, visited in a specific order. Locals said it balances life, removes doshas, and brings peace. I wasn’t sure if I believed all that, but curiosity (and a bit of family pressure) finally pushed me into planning the trip personally to understand the changes happening and provide a better experience to our travellers.

Note: We are a temple tour operator with years of experience in offering Navagraha temples tours from Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai.

We started from Kumbakonam, a town that honestly feels like a temple museum. Every street corner has a gopuram peeking over tiled roofs. With a notebook scribbled in Tamil, we set out early around 5.30 a.m in the morning to start our journey towards the navagraha temple order list to visit in Tamil Nadu.

1. Navagraha Temples’ Astrological Order (2 Days)

Explore the astrological order of visiting 9 navagraha temples around Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. The distance is calculated from Kumbakonam Bus stand.

• Suryan (Sun) — Sooriyanar Kovil (15 km), Thirumangalakudi
• Chandran (Moon) — Kailasanathar Kovil (35 km), Thingalur.
• Cevvāy (Mars) – Vaitheeswaran Kovil (49 km), Mayiladuthurai district.
• Budhan (Mercury) — Swethaaranyeshwarar Temple (60 KM), Thiruvenkadu.
• Guru  (Jupiter) — Apathsahayesvarar Temple(17 km), Alangudi.
• Sukran  (Venus) — Abathsagayeswarar Temple (18 km), Kanjanur.
• Shani (Saturn) — Dharbaranyeswarar Temple (52 km), Tirunallar.
• Raahu  (Rahu) – Naganathar Temple (6 km), Thirunageswaram.
• Kethu (Ketu) — Naganathaswamy Temple (60 km), Keelaperumpallam.

2. Time-saving Route-Optimized Order (1 Day)

Many devotees combine spiritual order with travel convenience. Use this ideal order if you wish to visit all nine temples in a single day:

• Thingalur, Chandran (Moon)
• Alangudi, Guru (Jupiter)
• Thirunageswaram Rahu
• Thirumangalakudi, or Suryan (Sun)
• Kanjanur Sukran (Venus)
• Vaitheeswaran Kovil, Cevvāy (Mars)
• Thiruvenkadu’s Budhan (Mercury)
• Keezhperumpallam-Kethu
• Tirunallar, Shani (Saturn)

This plan helps cover all temples in less time and minimizes backtracking. You can divide the temples into two groups for a leisurely two-day trip: the coastal belt (Vaitheeswaran, Thiruvenkadu, Keezhperumpallam, Tirunallar) and the northern (Thingalur, Alangudi, Thirunageswaram, Kanjanur, Thirumangalakudi).

Navagraha Temple Order List to Visit in Tamil Nadu (Astrological)

1. Suriyanar Koil – Sun (Suriyan)

Our journey began at Suriyanar Koil. And honestly, it couldn’t have been more fitting. The morning sun made the gopuram glow like gold leaf. Inside, Suriyan stood tall with Usha and Chaya. People were already lining up with trays of archanai. A priest reminded us, “Ellarum inga dhan start pannanum, suriyan illama ellam kidayadhu” (everything starts with the Sun). He was right — the temple felt like a bright beginning.

Location: Aduthurai, Thanjavur District

2. Thingalur – Moon (Chandran)

Next stop was Thingalur. The vibe was totally different — quieter, softer, almost sleepy. Maybe that’s how a moon temple should feel. I remember one old lady telling us that Chandran is worshipped for peace of mind. It made sense, because the silence there was comforting.

Location: Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District

3. Vaitheeswaran Koil – Mars (Angaraka / Sevvai)

By the time we reached Vaitheeswaran Koil, it was mid-morning and the crowd had thickened. This is where Shiva is worshipped as Vaidyanatha Swamy, the healer. The smell of camphor was everywhere. We got caught in a 40-minute queue because of a special Tuesday pooja. A local uncle next to us chuckled, “Inga Tuesday na romba jam” (Tuesdays are always packed here). That small tip saved us later.

Location: Vaitheeswarankoil near Mayiladuthurai District

4. Thiruvenkadu – Mercury (Budhan)

The drive to Thiruvenkadu took us past green paddy fields. This temple is famous for its three sacred tanks. I didn’t take a dip, but I watched a group of boys splashing around, laughing as their parents prayed. The mix of devotion and daily life was what struck me most.

Location: Thiruvenkadu near Mayiladuthurai District

5. Alangudi – Jupiter (Guru)

At Alangudi, we saw parents dragging their sleepy children toward the sannidhi. Guru (Jupiter) here is worshipped as Dakshinamurthy, the giver of wisdom. I noticed one boy clutching an exam hall ticket tightly while praying. That single image explained why this temple matters to so many families.

Location: Alangudi, Tiruvarur District

6. Kanjanur – Venus (Shukran)

We stopped at Kanjanur in the afternoon. The air was warm, but the temple had a quiet dignity. Here, Shiva is worshipped as Agneeswarar. The archakar explained how Shukran influences wealth and relationships. My cousin whispered, “Inime inga dhaan naan special prayer panna poren” (this is where I’m going to pray the most). We laughed, but deep down I think everyone prayed a little extra here.

Location: Kanjanur, Near Kumbakonam (17.7 km via Kumbakonam-Sirkazhi Hwy)

7. Thirunallar – Saturn (Sani Bhagavan)

If the other temples were busy, Thirunallar was overflowing. Pilgrims carried bottles of sesame oil, waiting patiently for their turn. People say Shani Bhagavan tests patience, and the queue itself felt like a test. Despite the crowd, the energy was intense — everyone came with heavy prayers, hoping to lighten their burdens.

Location: Thirunallar, Karaikal District

8. Thirunageswaram (Rahu)

Back near Kumbakonam, we reached Thirunageswaram. This was one of the highlights of the trip. During the abhishekam, as milk was poured on Rahu’s idol, it slowly turned blue. The entire crowd gasped together — even a little boy in front of me whispered, “idhu magic madri irukku” (this feels like magic). It was surreal.

Location: Thirunageswaram, near Kumbakonam

9. Keelaperumpallam (Kethu)

Our final stop was Keelaperumpallam, the Kethu temple. Compared to Thirunallar, this was small and peaceful. By then, our legs ached, but ending the yatra here felt right. Ketu is said to mark conclusions, and standing there, I felt the trip had come full circle.

Location: Keezhaperumpallam, Mayiladuthurai District

Why visit Navagraha temples?

The Navagraha temples are dedicated to 9 planets according to Hindu astrology. The main purpose of visiting these temples is to get health and wealth and remove bad effects based on the planets “doshas.” It is believed that worshiping in these temples will help to balance the influence of planet’s effect.

Navagraha Temple Timings

My Travel Notes

• Best time: Weekdays, when the sun doesn’t drain you. But it doesn’t matter if you travel in an AC vehicle.
• Food: Don’t expect fancy hotels. Roadside idlis and sambar saved us more than once.
• Travel mode: A car or taxi is almost compulsory. Buses connect some temples, but not all. If you are new to the place finding local buses to travel will be time consuming.
• Time needed: One day is technically possible, but trust me, 2 days will keep you relaxed and you will visit some more extra temples.

Why the Order Matters for Visiting Navagraha Temples?

Several devotees told me that skipping the sequence isn’t the same. The navagraha temple order list to visit starts with Suriyan and ends with Kethu, like beginning with light and ending with closure. Whether you believe in astrology or not, following the order makes the journey feel complete.

Planning for Navagraha Temples Visit?

If you’re considering a trip, DiyaTemplesTour offers dependable and reasonably priced packages that are customized to meet your requirements. Whether you want a one-day whirlwind trip or a relaxed two-day spiritual journey, we’ll help you cover all nine temples without hassle.

Frequently Asked Question’s

Is it possible to see all nine Navagraha temples in one or two days?

Yes it can be covered. Most travelers think trying to see all nine temples in one day is not possible because of the temples timing and distance. Based on the years of experience we crafted the plan which is suitable for everyone needs and comfort. Our itinerary is better for worship, travel time, and rush free visit. We have 1 day and 2 days itinerary.

What is the best way to visit all the Navagraha temples?

Hiring a rental taxi, or “acting driver,” is the best choice especially when going to several faraway places. Some also look into shared cars or small group shuttles, depending on what is available.

How much will it cost to visit a Navagraha temple (for the cab, driver, fuel, lodging, etc.)?

Hiring a cab can cost between ₹3500 to ₹5,500 per day based on number of person and vehicle type.  Hiring a acting driver can cost between ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 per day. The cost of lodging depends on the type of room and the level of comfort. The rate can be somewhere between 1000 to 3000 for 24 hours checkout.

How many days should you plan for a realistic Navagraha temple tour?

Based on our experience 2 days plan gives you a more relaxed pace, with time for worship, travel between remote temples, and rest. 

What are the other temples we can visit on the route of Navagraha temples?

Brihadeeswara Temple, Airavatesvara Temple, Oppiliappan Temple, Pratyangira Devi Temple, Thirumanancheri Temple, and Thillai Nataraja Temple Chidambaram

How many Navagraha temples are there in Kumbakonam?

There is only one Navagraha temple in Kumbakonam, known as Rahu, located in Thirunageswaram, 5 km from Kumbakonam.