Suryanar Kovil (Suriyanar Temple) - Navagraha Temple

Located close to Kumbakonam, this temple is meant for Sun God. As per Hindu legend, Sage Kalava was suffering from leprosy. He prayed to the nine planet deities and they offered cure to the problems. Brahma, the God of creation was angered as he felt that the planets have no rights to provide boons to humans. He cursed them to suffer from leprosy and was sent down to Earth. With no way around, the planets prayed to lord Shiva to get out of the curse. Lord Shiva appeared to them and said that from that time, that place belonged to them and they would have to grace the devotees worshipping them here. So, this is the only temple where there are separate shrines for each of the nine planets.

The temple faces the west and is constructed in a way so that it can get utmost beneficial rays from the planets. The temple, which has a gigantic tower with 3 tiers and 5 domes at the peak, was built in the year 1100 AD during the reign of king Kulothunga Chola. Guru Bhagavan is portrayed as worshipping Surya Bhagavan here. It is a practise among the devotees that one should worship Shiva (Prananadeswarar) and Parvati (Mangalambigai) at Thirumangalakudi, a village near to this place and after that they can offer worship to this temple. Since the presiding deity is Sun God, he is seen in his chariot drawn by seven horses.