Navagraha Temple order list to visit
Navagraha Temples Route Map – Complete Tour Plan with Distances & Directions
Every year, millions of Hindu pilgrims undertake the sacred Navagraha temple circuit in Tamil Nadu. But here is a truth most travellers learn the hard way: without a proper navagraha temples route map, you will spend more time backtracking on dusty village roads than in peaceful darshan. Temples are scattered across four districts — Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, and Cuddalore — and visiting them in the wrong order can add 2–3 hours of unnecessary driving to your yatra.
This guide solves that problem completely. Whether you are planning a one-day circuit or a relaxed two-day tour, you will find the most efficient route, a full distance table, a time-blocked itinerary, and starting point directions from Chennai, Trichy, Thanjavur, and Pondicherry. Bookmark this page — it is the only Navagraha temples route guide you will ever need.
Navagraha Temples Route – Temple by Temple Order
Follow this exact sequence to avoid backtracking. Each temple is listed with its distance from the previous stop, estimated drive time, recommended darshan duration, and a running total so you can track your day.
| Stop | Temple | Graha | From Previous | Drive Time | Darshan Time | Cumulative |
| 1 | Suryanar Kovil | Sun | 26 km from Kumbakonam | 35 min | 45 min | 1h 20m |
| 2 | Thingalur | Moon | 10 km | 15 min | 30 min | 2h 05m |
| 3 | Kanjanur | Venus | 15 km | 20 min | 25 min | 2h 50m |
| 4 | Alangudi | Jupiter | 18 km | 25 min | 35 min | 3h 50m |
| 5 | Thirunallar | Saturn | 30 km | 40 min | 60 min | 5h 30m |
| 6 | Vaitheeswaran Koil | Mars | 40 km | 55 min | 45 min | 7h 25m |
| 7 | Thiruvenkadu | Mercury | 12 km | 18 min | 30 min | 8h 13m |
| 8 | Keezhperumpallam | Rahu | 15 km | 22 min | 25 min | 9h 00m |
| 9 | Keezhaiyur | Ketu | 8 km | 12 min | 25 min | 9h 37m |
Stop 1: Suryanar Kovil – Surya (Sun) Temple
Distance from Kumbakonam: 26 km via Papanasam road (NH 38 direction)
Drive Time: 35 minutes
Darshan Time: 40–45 minutes
Significance: The only temple in India where all 9 grahas have individual shrines with their consorts. Start here — this is the traditional first stop.
Best Day: Sunday (dedicated to Surya)
Stop 2: Thingalur – Chandra (Moon) Temple
Distance from Suryanar Kovil: 10 km
Drive Time: 15 minutes
Darshan Time: 25–30 minutes
Significance: Lord Kailasanathar presides as the Moon deity. Praying here is believed to remedy skin ailments and mental imbalance linked to a weak Chandra.
Best Day: Monday
Stop 3: Kanjanur – Shukra (Venus) Temple
Distance from Thingalur: 15 km
Drive Time: 20 minutes
Darshan Time: 20–25 minutes
Significance: Dedicated to Venus (Shukra), this temple is favoured by couples seeking marital harmony and by those in creative fields.
Best Day: Friday
Stop 4: Alangudi – Guru (Jupiter) Temple
Distance from Kanjanur: 18 km
Drive Time: 25 minutes
Darshan Time: 30–35 minutes
Significance: The Guru Stalam. Lord Apatsahayesvarar helps in times of crisis. The Guru Peyarchi (annual Jupiter transit) here draws enormous crowds.
Best Day: Thursday
Stop 5: Thirunallar – Shani (Saturn) Temple
Distance from Alangudi: 30 km towards Karaikal
Drive Time: 40 minutes
Darshan Time: 45–60 minutes (expect queues on Saturdays)
Significance: The most visited Navagraha temple. The legend of King Nala’s liberation from Saturn’s grasp makes this a deeply emotional stop for devotees.
Best Day: Saturday — but arrive very early to avoid long queues
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Crowd Tip at Thirunallar Thirunallar draws massive footfall every Saturday and during Sani Peyarchi. Plan to arrive before 7:30 AM or visit on a weekday for a calm darshan. The Nala Theertham sacred tank is worth a circumambulation — budget extra time. |
Stop 6: Vaitheeswaran Koil – Angaraka (Mars) Temple
Distance from Thirunallar: 40 km towards Sirkazhi
Drive Time: 50–55 minutes
Darshan Time: 45–60 minutes
Significance: One of the Paadal Petra Sthalams — among the most sacred Shiva temples. Lord Vaitheeswaran is the Divine Physician. The Siddhamirtha Theertham tank is famed for healing properties.
Best Day: Tuesday
Stop 7: Thiruvenkadu – Budha (Mercury) Temple
Distance from Vaitheeswaran Koil: 12 km
Drive Time: 18 minutes
Darshan Time: 25–30 minutes
Significance: Lord Swetharanyeswarar presides as Mercury’s deity. Praying here is said to sharpen intellect, communication, and business acumen.
Best Day: Wednesday
Stop 8: Keezhperumpallam – Rahu Temple
Distance from Thiruvenkadu: 15 km
Drive Time: 22 minutes
Darshan Time: 20–25 minutes
Significance: The Rahu Stalam. Lord Naganathar governs here. Critical for those with Kala Sarpa Dosha in their birth chart.
Best Day: Tuesday / Saturday during Rahukalam
Stop 9: Keezhaiyur – Ketu Temple
Distance from Keezhperumpallam: 8 km
Drive Time: 12 minutes
Darshan Time: 20–25 minutes
Significance: The Ketu Stalam — the final stop. Lord Brahmaneswarar governs spiritual liberation. Completing the circuit here is considered a full-circle blessing.
Return to Kumbakonam: Approx. 60 km, 75–90 minutes
Description of the Navagraha Temples Circuit
The Navagraha Sthalams are nine Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, each dedicated to one of the nine celestial bodies (grahas) of Vedic astrology — Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu. Together, they form one of the most spiritually significant pilgrimage circuits in South India.
Here is a quick summary of the circuit before we dive into the detailed route:
| Total Temples | 9 Navagraha Sthalams |
| Total Round-Trip Distance | ~260–300 km from Kumbakonam |
| Districts Covered | Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Karaikal (UT), Cuddalore |
| Time Required (One Day) | 10–14 hours (including darshan time) |
| Best Base City | Kumbakonam |
| Ideal Start Time | 5:00 AM – 5:30 AM |
Navagraha Temples Route Map
The Nine temples are spread across two geographic clusters. Understanding this layout is the key to planning a backtrack-free route.
The Western Cluster (closer to Kumbakonam) includes Suryanar Kovil, Thingalur, Kanjanur, Alangudi, and Thirunallar. These five temples can be covered in the first half of your day. The Eastern and Northern Cluster includes Vaitheeswaran Koil, Thiruvenkadu, Keezhperumpallam, and Keezhaiyur — situated towards Sirkazhi and Chidambaram direction.
The optimal strategy is to sweep west and south first (completing the Karaikal temples by noon), then arc northeast to cover the Sirkazhi cluster in the afternoon. This eliminates major backtracking and keeps driving efficient.
One-Day Navagraha Temples Tour Schedule
This time-blocked schedule is designed for a single-day circuit starting from Kumbakonam. It accounts for queue time at busy temples, one breakfast stop, and one lunch break. Adjust timings by 30 minutes if you are a slow riser.
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Pre-Departure Checklist Fill your fuel tank the night before — petrol stations are sparse on village routes Carry cash for offerings, archana tickets, and prasadam (most temples are cash-only) Download Google Maps offline for the Thanjavur–Nagapattinam region Wear traditional dress: dhoti / saree or salwar kameez Carry a footwear bag — you will remove shoes at every temple |
Suggested Time-Blocked Itinerary
5:00 AM – Depart Kumbakonam — fuel up, coffee from a 24hr kadai
5:40 AM – Suryanar Kovil (Sun) — 45 min darshan, traditional start of circuit
6:50 AM – Thingalur (Moon) — 30 min, peaceful early morning atmosphere
7:30 AM – Kanjanur (Venus) — 25 min, short stop
8:15 AM – Alangudi (Jupiter) — 35 min
9:00 AM – BREAKFAST STOP — eat near Papanasam town (Saravana Bhavan or local idli kadai)
9:45 AM – Depart for Thirunallar (Saturn) — 40 min drive
10:25 AM – Thirunallar — 60 min (expect queues, circumambulate Nala Theertham)
12:00 PM – Depart for Vaitheeswaran Koil — 55 min drive
1:00 PM – Vaitheeswaran Koil (Mars) — 60 min darshan
2:15 PM – LUNCH STOP — hotels near Vaitheeswaran Koil have good Tamil meals
3:00 PM – Thiruvenkadu (Mercury) — 18 min drive, 30 min darshan
4:00 PM – Keezhperumpallam (Rahu) — 22 min drive, 25 min darshan
5:00 PM – Keezhaiyur (Ketu) — 12 min drive, 25 min darshan (circuit complete!)
5:30 PM – Depart for Kumbakonam — 60 km, ~90 min drive
7:00 PM – Arrive Kumbakonam — circuit complete
Total time: approximately 14 hours. This schedule is tight but achievable for a fit, punctual group. If you want a relaxed pace, consider the two-day plan below.
Two-Day Navagraha Temples Route Plan
Day 1 – Western Cluster (5 Temples)
Covering: Suryanar Kovil, Thingalur, Kanjanur, Alangudi, Thirunallar
- Total driving distance: approximately 120–130 km
- Depart Kumbakonam by 6:00 AM
- Complete all 5 temples comfortably by 3:00 PM
- Overnight stay: Karaikal or Nagapattinam (30–40 min from Thirunallar)
Day 2 – Eastern / Northern Cluster (4 Temples)
Covering: Vaitheeswaran Koil, Thiruvenkadu, Keezhperumpallam, Keezhaiyur
- Total driving distance: approximately 100–110 km
- Depart overnight stay base by 6:30 AM
- Complete all 4 temples by 1:00–2:00 PM
- Return to Kumbakonam or continue to Chennai / Trichy
| Recommended Overnight Stay Options
Karaikal: Hotels near Thirunallar temple (Aadhitya Residency, Nila Guest House) Nagapattinam: Budget to mid-range options on Bazaar Street Sirkazhi: Basic lodges within 5 km of Vaitheeswaran Koil (good for early Day 2 start) |
Navagraha Temples Route from Different Starting Points
Route from Chennai
Distance to Kumbakonam: approximately 300 km via NH32 (Villupuram highway). Estimated drive time: 4.5–5.5 hours depending on traffic through Villupuram and Thanjavur.
- Depart Chennai by 11:00 PM (night drive) or by 12:00 AM to arrive Kumbakonam by 5:00 AM
- Alternatively, take the early morning express train from Chennai Egmore to Kumbakonam (departs ~5:30 AM, arrives ~10:00 AM) and hire a taxi locally
Start the circuit directly at Suryanar Kovil for the best time management
Route from Trichy
Distance to Kumbakonam: approximately 95 km via Thanjavur (NH38). Estimated drive: 1.5–2 hours.
- Trichy to Kumbakonam via Thanjavur is a smooth highway route
- Trains from Trichy to Kumbakonam are frequent — multiple options before 6:00 AM
- Alternative entry: Drive directly to Alangudi first (closest to Trichy direction at ~75 km), then follow the circuit westward
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