Suryanar Koil is the first among the Navagraha temples. It was built by King Kulothunga Chola in the year 1100 AD. The holy tank here is called as Surya Pushkarni. Suryanar Koil is around 15km from Kumbakonam, near Aduthurai. God Surya is accompanied by his consorts Usha and Chayadevi in this temple. This is the only navagraha temple that houses shrines for the other eight celestial bodies as well. In Indian astrology, Suryan is referred to as the Aathma Karaka (Soul vitaliser).

Important Events: Vijaya Dasami, Ratha Saptami, 1st Sundays in Avani & Karthigai.

Thingaloor, referred to as Chandran Sthalam, is around 30km from Kumbakonam, near Thiruvaiyaru. Thingaloor means Place(Oor) of the Moon(Thingal) in Tamil. White is the auspicious color for God Chandran, and Monday is the main day for prayer. Devotees offer raw rice, white cloth and white flowers to the god. The main deities here are Kailasanadhar (Lord Shiva) and Periyanayagi (Goddess Parvati). A visit to this temple is said to grant a comfortable life, without stress and sorrow. On the full moon day in the Tamil month of Panguni, rays of the moon fall on the main deity Lord Shiva. Devotees visit the shrine on this day, to view this spectacular phenomenon.

Important Events: Panguni Uthram, Mondays

Vaitheeswaran Koil is known as the Sevvai Sthalam. In this temple, there is a special shrine devoted to Sevvai or Mangala or Angaraka or Mars. It is around 50km from Kumbakonam. Red is the auspicious color for Mars, devotees offer red cloth and flowers to the Lord, and wear red coral to please him. Main deities in this temple are Vaidhyanatha Swamy (Shiva) and Thaiyal Nayaki (Parvati). Siddha Amritham and Jatayu Kundam are the holy tanks in this temple. Legend has it that, Rama and Lakshmana performed the last rites for Eagle king Jatayu in Vaitheesawaran koil. The temple has four entrances, each with a majestic temple tower. Vaitheeswaran Koil is also very famous for Nadi Jothidam (type of astrology).

Important Events: Annual Brahmostsavam, Karthigai, Skanda Sashti

Thiruvenkadu, referred as the Budhan Sthalam, is 60km from Kumbakonam. Budhan or Mercury is green in complexion, and is said to bestow wisdom and success in education & profession. Thiruvenkadu is considered to be on par with Varanasi. The main deities here are Swetha ranyeshwarar (Shiva) and Brahma Vidya Nayaki (Parvati). There are 3 holy tanks in Thiruvenkadu, called as Surya theertham, Chandra theertham and Agni theertham. Devotees offer green moong dhal, green cloth and wear Emerald to please Lord Budhan. The navagrahas in this temple are arranged in a single row, which is unique. Thiruvenkadu is also known as Adhi Chidambaram.

Important Events: Annual Brahmostsavam in Tamil month of Maasi, Wednesdays

Alangudi is regarded as the Guru sthalam. It is located around 17km from Kumbakonam. Alangudi attracts huge visitors during Gurupeyarchi, when Jupiter transits between zodiac signs. The presiding deity of the shrine is Lord Shiva in the name of Aabathsahayeswarar and Goddess Parvati as Elavarkuzali. It is believed that worship of Dakshinamurthy (Guru) in this shrine, would confer progeny, fame, longevity and wealth.

There are 15 theerthams (water bodies) in this temple, of which Amrita Pushkarani is the famous one. Goddess Parvati is said to have reborn here. Thursday is the preferred day for worshiping Guru and yellow is the preferred color. Sage Visvamitra is believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva in Alangudi.

Important events:Gurupeyarchi, Chitra Pournami, Car Festival

Kanjanur, known as the Sukran Sthalam, is around 20km from Kumbakonam. The main deities in this temple are Agneeswarar (Shiva) and Karpagambal (Parvati). There is no seperate shrine for Lord Sukran here, as it is believed that Lord Shiva has reincarnated as Sukran here. Fridays are associated with Sukran (Venus), and hence Fridays are called as Shukravar in Hindi. White is the preferred color for Sukran. Sukran is said to bestow health, prosperity, marriage and happiness to the devotees, and is called as 'Kalatra Karaka'.

Important Events: Aadi Pooram, Mahashivaratri, Arudra Darshanam and Aadi Pooram

Thirunallar is around 65km from Kumbakonam, near Karaikkal. Devotees throng this place during Sanipeyarchi, when planet Saturn transits between zodiac signs, an event that happens once in 2.5 years. The main deities in Thirunallar are Dharbaranyeshwarar (Shiva) and Ponmulaiyal (Parvati). Legend has it that King Nala was relieved of his suffering, after worshiping this shrine. The inscriptions in this temple date back to 12th century AD, and is said to have built during Chola period. Lord Shani is believed to be the most powerful of all the navagrahas. The holy tank in this temple is called Nala theertham or Brahma theertham. The crow is believed to be the animal mount of Lord Shani. Saturdays are associated with Shani, and black is the auspicious color. Devotees offer black cloth, sesame powder & light sesame lamps.

Important Events: Sanipeyarchi, Tamil New Year day, 18 day festival in Vaikasi month, Karthigai Deepam, Natrajar festival in Aani (Jun-Jul)

Thirunageshwaram is known as the Rahu Sthalam. Lord Rahu, the serpent king, can be seen along with his two consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni in this temple. The main deities are Naganathaswamy (Shiva) and Girigujambigai (Parvati). The holy tank of this temple is Surya pushkarani. Though Rahu is usually associated with ill effects, he also bestows good financial and social status. When milk is poured over the idol of Rahu, it miraculously turns into blue color denoting snake's poison. Pujas on Sundays, and milk abhishekam during Rahu Kaal are considered to be auspicious.

Important Events: Brahmostsavam in the month of Karthigai, Sekkizhar festival, Rahu-Kethu Peyarchi

Keezhperumpallam, an ancient Shaivite temple, is known as Kethu Sthalam. It is located around 60km from Kumbakonam. The main deities in this temple are Naganathaswamy (Shiva) and Soundarya nayaki (Parvati). The temple is situated near the banks of river Cauvery, flowing downstream. Hence the name Keezhperumpallam (Keezh - Down, Perum - Big, Pallam - Low lying area). To ward off ill effects of Kethu, devotees offer horse gram, multi colored cloth and light 7 lamps. Those who are affected by Kethu dosha, visit this temple for rectification (parihara). Kethu is known as Gnana-Karakan, giver of wisdom.

Important Event: Rahu-Kethu Peyarchi