Sūryanār Koil
Navagraha sthala of the Sun — the only one where Sūrya is the mūlavar
⭐ Why it is famous
The rare temple where the Sun himself is the presiding deity, with all eight remaining grahas given their own shrines facing him. Pilgrims begin the Navagraha circuit here on a Sunday.
📜 Pilgrimage history
Built by Kulottunga Chola I around 1100 CE, originally called Kulottunga Chola Mārtāṇḍālaya. The Chola dynasty's astrologers made it the anchor of the nine-planet pilgrimage of the Kaveri delta.
🕰️ Temple timings
- Darśan 06:00 – 13:00 and 16:00 – 20:30
- Rathasapthami and Sundays draw the largest crowds
🙏 Darśan details
- Free darśan; archana tickets ₹20–₹100
- Offer red flowers, wheat and jaggery pongal to Sūrya
- Light ghee lamps at the Navagraha shrines in order
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Sūryanār Koil, Suryanar Koil, ThanjavurAduthurai (ADT) — 3 km
Suryanar Koil bus stand — state transport buses stop here.
Tiruchirappalli International (TRZ) — 95 km
15 km from Kumbakonam on the Mayiladuthurai road; share autos and buses run all day.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Kumbakonam hotels, ₹900–₹5,000
- TN Tourism guesthouse at Kumbakonam
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1,800 | ₹3,500 | ₹8,000 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Swamimalai bronze-casting workshops
- Darasuram Airavatesvara UNESCO temple
🧵 Part of these circuits
📅 Best time to visit
October–February; Rathasapthami in February