Navagraha Temples in TamilNadu

In astrology the 9 planets sun, moon, mercury, venus, mars, jupiter, saturn, rahu and kethu are called navagraha (nava means 9). The sthala or temples of these 9 planets are situated near kumbakonam and myladuthurai.

People should pray these planet gods in order get theri blessing and reduce their malefic effects.

Suriyanar koil

 Situated 21 kms from Swamimalai is the Suryanar Koil built by King Kulothunga Chola I in the year 1100 AD. This temple is dedicated to Sun God Surya who is known as the giver of health, success and prosperity. Every year in mid January, the harvest festival is celebrated in thanksgiving and to honour Surya

Kanjanur

 ThisShiva sthalam is associated with Sukran or Venus and is maintained by the Madurai Adhinam. It is located in a quiet hamlet of Thiruvaavaduturai.This shrine is also referred to as Palaasavanam, Brahmapurai and Agnisthalam. Brahma is said to have had a vision here of Shiva's wedding with Parvati. Men visit to pray for the well being of their wives.

Thingalur

 Though there is a question about when this temple was built, historians agree that it must have been in existence since before the beginning of the Bhakti period, which was well before the seventh century A.D. Dedicated to the Moon or Chandran in Sanskrit and Thingal in Tamil, a visit to this temple is said to grant a comfortable and long life. In astrology, Chandran is the planet that removes stress and sorrow.

Thiru Alangudi

 This is regarded as a Guru sthalam or Jupiter where Lord Dakshinamurthy is held in great reverence. The shrine attracts a large number of devotees when Jupiter transits between zodiac signs. Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, is said to have been reborn on the banks of the Amrita Pushkarini within the temple precincts before being reunited with Shiva.

Thirnageswaram 

This vast temple known is for its shrine to Rahu, one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagraha. A legend has it that the mythological serpents Adiseshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Legend also has it that King Nala worshipped Shiva here as in Thirunallar

Vaitheeswaran koil

In Vaitheswaran Koil, there is a special shrine dedicated to Ankarakan or Sevvai or Mars. The belief is that if prayers are offered to Ankarakan, he will bestow valor, victory and strength to the person. Upon entering the temple, devotees first go the Siddhamrita tank. The water is said to have curative properties for various skin ailments. There is also a widespread belief that a visit here would remove obstacles that delay marriage.

Keelaperumpallam

This is an ancient Shaivite temple and legend has it that Kethu, the other planetary node of the nine celestial bodies worshipped Shiva here. Rahu and Kethu are associated with the legend of the serpent that helped Lord Shiva churn the milky ocean. There is a shrine dedicated to Kethu in this temple.

Thiruvenkadu 

There is a reference to this temple in Valmiki’s Ramayana. Therefore it is said that the oldest part of the temple is more than 3000 years old. Dedicated to Budhan or Mercury this temple in Thiruvenkadu makes up the last of the Navagraha Temples. Budhan is said to bestow wisdom and intellect.

Thirunallaru

This is the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Sani or Saturn. When the planet Saturn transits between zodiac signs, literally millions throng this shrine. The legendary King Nala is said to have been relieved of his afflictions, which were due to the malefic influence of Saturn, after worship in this temple. Of the numerous tanks theertams, the Nala theertam is the most important one. By bathing here, it is believed that one is washed off all kinds of misfortune and afflictions.

For thingalur, thirualangudi and kanjanur has less transport and bus facilities. These are rural areas and doesn't have adequate boarding and lodging facilities. It is best to arrange a separate tourist vehicle to visit all temples.

Given below is the distance in kilometer from kumbakonam.
Thirualangudi (Guru / jupiter) - 17 kms - PH: 04374 269407
Thingalur (chandra / moon) - 30 kms - PH:
Suriyanar koil (Surya / sun) - 15 kms - PH: 0435 247349
Kanjanur (Sukra / venus) - 12 kms - PH: 0435 2473737
Thirunageswaram (Rahu) - 6kms - PH: 0435 2463354
Vaitheeswaran koil (sevvai / mars) - 53 kms - PH: 04364 279423
Thiruvenkadu (budhan / mercury) - 50 kms - Phone: 04364 256424
Keelaperumpallam (kethu) - 44 kms - Phone: 04364 2755222
Thirunallar (sani / saturn) - 38 kms - phone: 04368 236530