Place:
Near Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam Location Map |
Graha (Planet) |
Vaideeswaran Koil | Mars-Angaraka |
Thiruvenkadu | Mercury-Budha |
Keezhperumpallam | Ketu (Descending node of Chandra) |
Thirunallar | Saturn-Sani |
Kanjanur | Venus-Sukra |
Suryanar Koil | Sun-Surya |
Thirunageswaram | Rahu (Ascending node of Chandra) |
Thingalur | Moon-Chandra |
Alangudi | Jupiter-Guru |
The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation announced on June 26, 1997 in Chennai, a `Navagraha Worship package tour', covering nine temples in the State dedicated to the 'Navagraha' deities. Pilgrims wishing to visit the temples dedicated to the `navagraha' deities can leave from Chennai on Friday night and return on Monday morning. The tour, priced at Rs 575 for adults and Rs 500 for children, covers the Vaideeswaran Koil (Mars-Angaraka), Thiruvenkadu (Mercury-Budha), Keezhperumpallam (Ketu), Thirunallar (Saturn-Sani), Kanjanur (Venus-Sukra), Suriyanar Koil (Sun-Surya), Thirunageswaram (Rahu), Thingalur (Moon-Chandra) and Alangudi (Jupiter-Guru).
Pilgrims can also visit the nine temples in two
days, using a rental car, with Thanjavur or Kumbakonam, as the base camp.
TamilNadu Tourism Development Corporation has a hotel called TamilNadu
Hotel at Kumbakonam. The service at the hotel is excellent.
Thanjavur, Brihadeeswara Temple
How to get there
Kumbakonam (see location in South India map) can be reached from Chennai (earlier called Madras) International Airport by road/rail in a six-hour journey.
Suryanar
Kovil (Surya, Sun) (near Kumbakonam)
The central shrine of the Suryanarkovil faces
the west. Near the image of the Sun-god are placed those of Visvesvara
and his consort Visaalaakshi. The figure of Brhaspati is set up in front
of the central shrine. Shrines for other grahas are constructed round the
central shrine.
Tiruvenkadu
(Budha, Mercury)
Near Chidambaram; Temple for Swetaranyeswarar
and Aghoramurthy
Kanjanur (Sukra,
Venus)
Agneeswarar
Temple, Kanjanur
Naganathar Temple, Tirunageeswaram
Thingalur
The temple for Chandra (Moon) is located close to Kasi Viswanatha Temple
at Thingalur which is near Tiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District.