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Temple tank with a central mandapam and gopurams at Vaitheeswaran Koil

Home › Sacred places › Navagraha temples — nine planets

Pilgrimage & heritage route · from Kumbakonam (via Chennai or Trichy)

Navagraha temples — nine planets route, cost & what to book

Nine temples around Kumbakonam, each dedicated to one of the nine celestial bodies of Hindu astrology.

Photo: raguleo · CC BY 3.0 · source

Duration2–3 days
Starts fromKumbakonam
Cost from₹4,500 each
Stops8
Best timeOctober to February
Good forFamilies, Solo, Couples

Nine temples around Kumbakonam, each dedicated to one of the nine celestial bodies of Hindu astrology. Families usually do them over a single punishing day by taxi. Over two or three days, with Kumbakonam as a base and the temple breaks planned in, it becomes a relaxed trip through the Kaveri delta's villages.

Step 2 of 6Next: Route
Your trip plan · PDF

Navagraha temples, planned for you

Day-by-day timings, the route, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.

  1. Day 1 Kumbakonam to Thirunageswaram (Rahu) to Suryanar Koil (Sun) & Kanjanur (Venus)
    • TravelKumbakonam₹400
    • TravelThirunageswaram (Rahu)₹15
    • TravelSuryanar Koil (Sun) & Kanjanur (Venus)₹30
  2. Day 2 Alangudi (Jupiter) to Thingalur (Moon) to Vaitheeswaran Koil (Mars) & Thiruvenkadu (Mercury)
  3. Day 3 Keezhperumpallam (Ketu) to Thirunallar (Saturn)

₹49 once, 6 pages. Secure payment by Razorpay, instant download. Already bought? Get your download

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The route, stop by stop

The whole route first. Tap any stop and the map zooms to just that place.

Route

Stops

Kumbakonam → Thirunageswaram (Rahu) → Suryanar Koil (Sun) & Kanjanur (Venus) → Alangudi (Jupiter) → Thingalur (Moon) → Vaitheeswaran Koil (Mars) & Thiruvenkadu (Mercury) → Keezhperumpallam (Ketu) → Thirunallar (Saturn) · Directions in Google Maps ↗

  1. 1
    Base. Overnight train from Chennai, or 2 h by bus from Trichy Map ↗
  2. 2
    7 km east of Kumbakonam. Local bus Map ↗
  3. 3
    15 km north-east. The two are 3 km apart Map ↗
  4. 4
    17 km south of Kumbakonam Map ↗
  5. 5
    Near Thiruvaiyaru, 33 km west Map ↗
  6. 6
    Bus towards Sirkazhi, 50–60 km Map ↗
  7. 7
    Near Poompuhar, 10 km from Thiruvenkadu Map ↗
  8. 8
    In Karaikal (Puducherry), 50 km from Kumbakonam Map ↗

Travel legs add up to about ₹645 per person.

Step 3 of 6Next: Cost

What it costs

Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.

Your group₹9,000
Couple · from Kumbakonam
Per person₹4,500

A do-it-yourself budget: trains and buses, simple lodges and temple meals. Paid darshan and donations are extra.

Step 4 of 6Next: What to book

What to book ahead

Step 5 of 6Next: Stay & food

Where to stay and eat

Stay

Kumbakonam has lodges for every budget within walking distance of the bus stand, and it is the obvious base. Vaitheeswaran Koil has basic lodges if you split the circuit.

Food

Kumbakonam's degree coffee and the meals houses around the Mahamaham tank are the highlight. Every temple town has simple meals for ₹70–90.

Local tip: Split it into two loops from Kumbakonam — the near five on day one, and the Sirkazhi–Karaikal side on day two — and you will never have to rush a temple before it closes for the afternoon.
Step 6 of 6Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How many days do you need for Navagraha temples?

2–3 days, starting from Kumbakonam (via Chennai or Trichy).

What is the best time for Navagraha temples?

October to February. Temples close from about 12:30 pm to 4 pm, so plan mornings and evenings. Saturdays at Thirunallar (Saturn) are extremely crowded.

How much does Navagraha temples cost?

From about ₹4,500 per person doing it yourself, with the travel legs adding up to roughly ₹645.

What needs to be booked in advance?

Taxi for the long day: Kumbakonam taxis offer an all-nine-temples package. Agree the route and price in advance. Kumbakonam hotel (must book): Book ahead for weekends and festival days. Special darshan: Not necessary except at Thirunallar on Saturdays.

Where do pilgrims stay?

Kumbakonam has lodges for every budget within walking distance of the bus stand, and it is the obvious base. Vaitheeswaran Koil has basic lodges if you split the circuit.

What about food?

Kumbakonam's degree coffee and the meals houses around the Mahamaham tank are the highlight. Every temple town has simple meals for ₹70–90.

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: raguleo · CC BY 3.0 · source · Photo: PJeganathan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Rsmn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Shanze1 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

2–3 days · —
Route