9 Popular Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu

Navagrah refers to the 9 planets which hold immense significance in Hindu astronomy and people perform puja rituals to keep their important planets in a good position. These planets include sun, moon, mars, mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. Tamil Nadu is home to all these 9 spiritual centres and people who face planetary difficulties make it a point to visit these temples and perform the puja rituals for a happy and stress free life. Apart from Tamil Nadu these temples are also present in Assam, Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Here are the Navgraha temples of Tamil Nadu which are ancient and date back to the time of the Chola dynasty:

Suriyanar Koil (Sun)

As the name suggests this temple is dedicated to the sun god and was constructed by the Chola rulers during 1100 AD. This Dravidian Hindu shrine of worship is an important temple in the Navgraha circuit and enclosing it is a 5 tiered, intricately carved Gopuram which leads the devotees inside the temple. The presiding deity is worshipped in the form of Suriyan here and he sits here with his consort Usha and Pratyusha Devi.  

Temple Timings – 6:00 am to 12:30 pm / 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Route Map from Chennai (almost 6 hours): Chennai – Maraimalai Nagar – Tindivanam – Sethiyathope – Gangaikondacholapuram – Suriyanar koil

Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple (Moon)

Built during the Pallava rule using golden sandstone this intricately carved out temple which is dedicated to the moon god, is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram. Just like every other temple structure in the southern states, this historical and legendary temple is constructed by utilising the Dravidian style of architecture. Literally translating to ‘lord of the cosmic mountain’, the temple houses an idol of Kailasnathar and is symbolic of exiting from paradise after completing the puja rituals inside.

Temple Timings – 6:00 am to 12 noon / 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Route Map from Chennai (2 hours and 15 minutes): Chennai – Mevalurkuppam – Sriperumbudur – Neervalur – Kanchi Kailasanathar temple

Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple (Mars)

With the history of this temple dating back to the Ramayan period the temple is believed to have been built on the exact spot where Lord Ram, Laxman and the Saptarishis are said to have performed their meditation here. The presiding deity of Shivji is worshipped as Vaitheeswaran or ‘god of healing’. The temple offers a serene environment along with a tank where visitors decide to take a holy dip in its waters which is also believed to cure leprosy.

Temple Timings – 6:00 am to 1:00 pm / 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Route Map from Chennai (5 hours 30 minutes): Chennai – Chengalpattu – Melmaruvathur – Tindivanam – Puducherry – Cuddalore – Chidambaram – Vaitheeswaran Koil

Arulmigu Swetharanyeswarar Temple (Mercury)

This spectacular temple complex is believed to have been constructed during the 16^th century by the Chola rulers of south India. The presiding deity which is worshipped is in the form of a shiv ling and the name of the temple will be translated into ‘lord of white forest’. The planet mercury of Budhan signifies knowledge and intellect and performing puja rituals here on Wednesdays is said to get rid of the Budha Dosha.

Temple Timings – 6:00 am to 12 noon / 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Route Map from Chennai (5 hours 45 minutes): Chennai – Maraimalai Nagar – Chengalpattu – Melmaruvathur – Tindivanam – Puducherry – Cuddalore – Chidambaram – Arulmigu Swetharanyeswarar temple

Arulmigu Apatsahayesvarar Temple (Jupiter)

This intricately carved colorful temple of South India is dedicated to Shivji and is worshipped in the form of Apatsahayesvarar and pans over an area of 2 acres. The entrance of the temple is adorned with two storied gopuram which is carved out elegantly and the legend of this temple depicts that this temple came into being after Shivji had consumed a deadly poison. The festivals celebrated here are done with immense joy and zeal which is a sight to behold.

Temple Timings – 6:00 am to 1:00 pm / 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Route Map from Chennai (6 hours): Chennai – Chengalpattu – Melmaruvathur – Tindivanam – Villupuram – Perambalur – Ariyalur - Arulmigu Apatsahayesvarar temple

Agniswarar Temple (Venus)

Situated in Kumbakonam and dedicated to the planet of Venus this temple is one of the Navgraha temple circuit in Tamil Nadu. Situated in close proximity to the Suryanar Koil, this temple is built on the place where Shivji and Parvati are worshipped in the form of Agniswarar and Karpagavalli amman. The Cholas are credited with the building of this temple and covered in incredibly fine works of architecture.

Temple Timings – 6:00 am to 12 noon / 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Route Map from Chennai (6 hours): Chennai – Maraimalai Nagar – Chengalpattu – Tindivanam – Sethiyathope – Gangaikonda Cholapuram - Agniswarar temple

Thirunallar Saniswaran Temple (Saturn)

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped as Darbaranyeswarar here along with goddess Parvathi who is worshipped in the form of Bhogamartha Poonmulai Amman. Devotees suffering from Shani Dasha are relieved from it during their visit here and after performing various puja rituals. It is a ritual for every devotee to take a holy bath in the Brahma Theertham which was created by brahma himself before entering the temple.

Temple Timings – 5:30 am to 12:30 pm / 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Route Map from Chennai (6 hours 30 minutes): Chennai – Kelambakkam – Mahabalipuram- Swarnabhoomi – Mandavai – Puducherry – Cuddalore – Chidambaram - Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple

Rahu Sthalam Temple (Rahu)

Located on the outskirts of the town of Kumbakonam this temple is dedicated to Shivji and is a significant destination of worship for people belonging to the Shaivite sect of Hinduism. It is also known as Thirunageswaram and along with expert masonry and spectacular Dravidian architecture this temple is the place where people dealing with Rahu planetary problems come to get rid of their dosh.

Temple Timings – 6:00 am to 1:00 pm / 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Route Map from Chennai (6 hours): Chennai – Chengalpattu – Tindivanam – Sethiyathope – Gangaikondachola Puram - Rahu Shtalam Temple

Kethu Sthalam Temple (Kethu)

Also referred to as Keezhaperumpallam temple, this place houses the idol of Naganathar and his better half Soundarya Devi. Kethu Bhagwan is said to possess the head of snake and the body of an asura and he is said to have worshipped with complete devotion to Shivji in order to get rid of his sins. Performing puja rituals here is said to get rid of obstacles like bad habits, property related disputes, obstacles in marriage etc.

Temple Timings – 6:00 am to 12 noon / 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm  

Route Map from Chennai (6 hours): Chennai – Kelambakkam – Mahabalipuram – Kalpakkam – Swarnabhoomi – Mandavai – Puducherry – Cuddalore – Chidambaram - Kethu Sthalam Temple

Conclusion: Navgraha temple circuit tour is one of the most spiritual and holy pilgrimage which anyone can take. This is highly recommended for people looking to get rid of their planetary dosh. Not only this the temple architectures of each of these holy shrines are spectacular and stunning if you are an architecture lover or a history or are just looking to have a sacred time with your family.