Suriyanar Koil, Kumbakonam

Timings

6 am–12.30 pm, 4 pm–8 pm

Deity

Surya (Sun)

Distance from Kumbakonam

About 15 km

Nearest railway station

Aduthurai (2–3 km)

Nearest airport

Tiruchirappalli

The legend

The nine planetary gods are said to have been cursed by Brahma to suffer from leprosy. They did penance to Shiva at nearby Thirumangalakudi, where Shiva as Pranavaradeswarar cured them and asked them to stay in this area and bless devotees. That is why tradition asks pilgrims to visit the Thirumangalakudi temple before Suriyanar Koil.

What to see

Surya stands in the sanctum with his consorts Usha and Chhaya (Pratyusha). Facing him is his horse, the vehicle of the Sun, and the other planets each have their own small shrine around the main one, so the whole complex forms a planetary circle. A five-tiered gopuram marks the entrance, and the temple follows the classic Chola Dravidian plan.

Festivals

Ratha Saptami, a ten-day festival in the Tamil month of Thai (mid-January to mid-February), is the most important occasion. Special pujas are also held when Saturn or Jupiter change signs, and on Chitra Pournami and Karthigai Deepam.

Timings and tips

Wear modest, traditional clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Sundays, which are sacred to the Sun, are busier, as are the days of planetary transits. Carry some small change for archanas at the individual planetary shrines, and leave footwear at the stand outside the gopuram.

• Morning: 6 am until 12.30 pm
• Evening: 4 pm to 8 pm
• Ideal time needed: about an hour

How to reach

Aduthurai railway station is just 2 to 3 km away, though Kumbakonam and Thanjavur have better train connections. Suriyanar Koil is roughly 21 km from both Mayiladuthurai and Swamimalai. Tiruchirappalli is the nearest airport, about two and a half hours by road. From Virudhachalam we can arrange a one- or two-day Navagraha temple circuit covering all nine shrines.

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