Navagraha Temples Guide: Timings, Order, 9 Shrines & Driving Routes

Complete Guide to the 9 Navagraha Temples in the Cauvery Delta

The fertile Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu is home to the sacred Navagraha Temples, where the nine planetary deities are venerated within ancient Chola-era Shiva temple complexes. Unlike standard temples where planetary idols stand huddled together in a corner, each of these nine shrines is an independent, sprawling temple town where the respective planet holds supreme cosmic significance.

Mayiladuthurai is the central geographic hub for this holy yatra. Located right in the middle of the temple clusters, staying in or starting from Mayiladuthurai minimizes backtracking, cuts down road fatigue, and allows pilgrims to reach morning and evening darshan sessions before the midday temple doors close.

1-Day (220 km) vs 2-Day (380 km) Circuit: Distances Explained

Pilgrims often wonder why travel guides mention two different distances: 220 km and 380 km. Here is how the circuits work:

1-Day Express Circuit (approx. 220 km)

• Schedule: 6:00 AM departure to 9:00 PM return.
• Route: One continuous, tightly coordinated loop connecting all 9 shrines in geographical succession without returning to your hotel during the day.
• Pacing: Fast-paced. You spend 45 to 60 minutes per temple.
• Best For: Working professionals, weekend travelers arriving on Friday night trains, or pilgrims with tight flight connections.
• Fares: AC Sedan from ₹3,500 | Innova SUV from ₹4,800 (all-inclusive fuel and driver service).

2-Day Relaxed Circuit (approx. 380 km total)

• Schedule: 2 full days with an overnight stay in Mayiladuthurai or Kumbakonam.
• Route: Day 1 covers the southern and western cluster (Thingalur, Alangudi, Thirunageswaram, Suriyanar Kovil, Kanjanur) with a return loop to the hotel base. Day 2 covers the eastern coastal cluster (Vaitheeswaran Koil, Thiruvenkadu, Keezhperumpallam, Thirunallar) plus optional heritage stops like Darasuram, Swamimalai, or Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
• Why 380 km? The extra mileage accounts for returning to your town hotel overnight, temple-to-hotel transfers, and optional nearby Divya Desam stops.
• Pacing: Relaxed and serene. Ample time for Nala Theertham bath at Thirunallar, special milk abhishekam at Thirunageswaram, and Nadi astrology at Vaitheeswaran Koil.
• Best For: Families traveling with senior citizens, elderly parents, young children, or devotees performing elaborate homams.
• Fares: AC Sedan from ₹6,800 | Innova SUV from ₹9,200 (all-inclusive fuel and driver service).

Detailed Directory of the 9 Navagraha Shrines

Below is the complete profile for each sacred shrine, including deity details, opening hours, pariharam offerings, and distances from Mayiladuthurai.

1. Suriyanar Kovil (Sun / Sooriyan)

• Location: Thirumangalakudi, near Aduthurai (21 km west of Mayiladuthurai).
• Presiding Deities: Sri Suryanarayana Swamy with consorts Usha and Chhaya, consecrated within the Prana Varadeswarar complex.
• Temple Speciality: The only Dravidian temple dedicated exclusively to the Sun God. Remarkably, all other eight planetary deities have separate shrines here, all facing Lord Surya.
• Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM & 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
• Pariharam & Offerings: Red lotus flowers, wheat grains, and lighting ghee deepams on Sundays.
• Travel Advice: Best visited as the final morning stop before noon closing, following Thirunageswaram and Alangudi.

2. Thingalur Kailasanathar Temple (Moon / Chandran)

• Location: Thingalur, near Thiruvaiyaru (35 km west of Kumbakonam, approx. 68 km from Mayiladuthurai).
• Presiding Deities: Lord Kailasanathar and Goddess Periyanayaki Ambal, with a dedicated shrine for Chandran (Moon God).
• Legend: Associated with the great Shaivite saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and his ardent devotee Appoodi Adigal. Lord Shiva revived Appoodi Adigal’s son from snake venom here.
• Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
• Pariharam & Offerings: Raw rice, white arali flowers, white vastram, and special poojas on Mondays and full moon days.
• Travel Advice: Since Thingalur is the westernmost shrine, early morning starts (6:00 AM sharp) from Mayiladuthurai ensure you clear Thingalur first and travel eastward smoothly.

3. Vaitheeswaran Koil (Mars / Angarakan / Sevvai)

• Location: Vaitheeswaran Koil, on NH 32 (15 km north of Mayiladuthurai).
• Presiding Deities: Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy (the Divine Physician), Thaiyalnayaki Ambal, Selva Muthukumaran (Lord Murugan), and Angarakan.
• Temple Speciality: Devotees pray here to heal persistent illnesses, remove Sevvai Dosham (Mars affliction in marriage charts), and bathe in the holy Siddhamirtham Theertham tank. It is also the global epicenter of ancient Nadi palm-leaf astrology.
• Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
• Pariharam & Offerings: Toor dal (red gram), red oleander flowers, red vastram, and salt-pepper dissolution in the temple tank.
• Dedicated Route: Mayiladuthurai to Vaitheeswaran Koil Taxi (30 km round trip, ₹700 Sedan / ₹1,200 SUV).

4. Thiruvenkadu Swetharanyeswarar Temple (Mercury / Budhan)

• Location: Thiruvenkadu, near Sirkazhi and Poompuhar (24 km northeast of Mayiladuthurai).
• Presiding Deities: Swetharanyeswarar, Brahma Vidya Nayaki Ambal, Agora Murthi, and Budhan Bhagavan.
• Temple Speciality: Known as “Aadi Chidambaram” (the original Chidambaram). Houses three sacred holy tanks (Agni, Surya, Chandra Theerthams). Worshipping Budhan here blesses devotees with sharp intellect, business success, and educational advancement.
• Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
• Pariharam & Offerings: Green moong dal (green gram), green cloth, white kaner flowers, and Wednesday abhishekam.
• Travel Advice: Located just 15 minutes away from Keezhperumpallam (Ketu), making them natural back-to-back stops.

5. Alangudi Apatsahayeswarar Temple (Jupiter / Guru)

• Location: Alangudi, near Valangaiman (45 km southwest of Mayiladuthurai, 17 km south of Kumbakonam).
• Presiding Deities: Apatsahayeswarar, Elavarkuzhali Ambal, and Dakshinamurthy worshipped as Guru Bhagavan.
• Legend: Lord Shiva drank the deadly halahala poison here to save the celestial universe, earning the name “Apatsahayar” (the savior from peril).
• Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
• Pariharam & Offerings: Chana dal (Bengal gram), yellow vastram, yellow flowers, and 24 ghee deepams on Thursdays.
• Travel Advice: Expect heavier crowds on Thursdays and during annual Guru Peyarchi (Jupiter transit) festivals.

6. Kanjanur Agneeswarar Temple (Venus / Sukran)

• Location: Kanjanur, near Kuthalam and Aduthurai (18 km west of Mayiladuthurai).
• Presiding Deities: Agneeswarar and Karpagambal.
• Temple Speciality: Unlike other shrines, Lord Shiva Himself is worshipped here in the form of Sukran Bhagavan. There is no separate planetary idol for Sukran; Lord Shiva absorbed the planet into His lingam. Worshipping here removes marital friction and blesses wealth.
• Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
• Pariharam & Offerings: Mochai (white beans), white lotus, white silk cloth, and Friday special poojas.
• Travel Advice: Reopens promptly at 4:00 PM, making it the perfect first stop for the evening session.

7. Thirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar Temple (Saturn / Sani)

• Location: Thirunallar, Karaikal district (40 km southeast of Mayiladuthurai).
• Presiding Deities: Dharbaranyeswarar, Praneswari Ambal, and Lord Saneeswaran (Sani Bhagavan).
• Legend: King Nala was released from the grip of Saturn after taking a holy dip in the sacred Nala Theertham tank and worshipping Lord Dharbaranyeswarar here.
• Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM (open continuously from early morning to night on Saturdays).
• Pariharam & Offerings: Nala Theertham holy dip, gingelly (sesame) oil deepam in black cloth, black sesame seeds, and blue vastram.
• Dedicated Route: Mayiladuthurai to Karaikal Taxi (80 km round trip, ₹2,000 Sedan / ₹2,800 SUV).

8. Thirunageswaram Naganathaswamy Temple (Rahu)

• Location: Thirunageswaram, near Kumbakonam (32 km west of Mayiladuthurai).
• Presiding Deities: Naganathaswamy, Girigujambal, and Rahu Bhagavan depicted with his consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni.
• The Divine Miracle: During daily milk abhishekam, when white milk is poured over the Rahu idol, it turns into a distinct light blue hue before returning to white as it flows off the stone pedestal.
• Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:45 PM & 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Special abhishekam performed during Rahu Kalam hours daily.
• Pariharam & Offerings: Black urad dal, blue or dark cloth, and participating in the Rahu Kalam milk abhishekam.
• Dedicated Route: Mayiladuthurai to Kumbakonam Taxi (100 km round trip, ₹1,600 Sedan / ₹2,800 SUV).

9. Keezhperumpallam Naganathaswamy Temple (Ketu)

• Location: Keezhperumpallam, near Poompuhar (25 km east of Mayiladuthurai).
• Presiding Deities: Naganathaswamy, Soundaranayaki Ambal, and Ketu Bhagavan.
• Temple Speciality: Ketu is depicted here with a human body, five-headed serpent hood, and hands folded in perpetual prayer to Lord Shiva. Devotees pray here to overcome Ketu dosham, mental unrest, and ancestral curses.
• Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
• Pariharam & Offerings: Horse gram (kollu), multi-color vastram, and red flowers.
• Dedicated Route: Mayiladuthurai to Poompuhar Taxi (60 km round trip, ₹1,000 Sedan / ₹2,100 SUV).

Optimal 1-Day Itinerary Schedule

To comfortably visit all 9 shrines in one day without getting stranded outside closed temple doors, our chauffeurs follow this tested chronological sequence:

Practical Tips for Pilgrims

1. Temple Dress Code: Men must wear traditional dhoti (veshti) or pyjama with kurta (upper cloth / shirt must be removed in select inner sanctums). Women must wear sarees or churidars with a dupatta. Western attire (jeans, shorts, sleeveless tops) is strictly prohibited.
2. Shoe Keeping Counters: Every temple maintains official footwear counters near the entrance tower (rajagopuram) charging ₹2 to ₹5 per pair.
3. Pooja Kits: Pre-assembled archana baskets containing coconut, bananas, betel leaves, and the respective planetary grain are available outside each temple for ₹50 to ₹100.
4. Advance Booking: Saturday visits to Thirunallar and Tuesday visits to Vaitheeswaran Koil witness heavy devotee turnouts. Booking your cab at least 24 hours in advance guarantees a sanitized car and a rested chauffeur.

Book Your Navagraha Cab With Mayilai Abi Cabs

Mayilai Abi Cabs operates direct call taxi fleets with dedicated local chauffeurs who know every temple route, closing time, and pooja schedule.

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Call our 24x7 Mayiladuthurai booking desk directly at 73588 22449 or message us on WhatsApp for an instant booking confirmation.