25 Best Temples Of Tamil Nadu

 

If spiritual tourism is what drives you, you can certainly consider visiting some of the most famous temples in Tamil Nadu. There are several temples in Chennai although the Tamil Nadu temples list that you should check out carefully before visiting. Tamil Nadu’s temples will not just soothe you with their serenity and tranquillity; they will also leave you spellbound with their sheer architectural magnificence and sculptures.

A trip to the temples in Tamil Nadu will make for an interesting vacation since it will combine religious piety with culture, history, art and tradition in one exciting mix.

25 Most Famous Temples To Visit In Tamil Nadu

1. Meenakshi Amman Temple (Madurai)
2. Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur)
3. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam)
4. Jambukeswarar Temple (Thiruvanaikaval)
5. Kanchi Kailsanathar Temple (Kanchipuram)
6. Ekambareswara Temple (Kanchipuram)
7. Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rameswaram)
8. Kapaleeshwarar Temple (Chennai)
9. Monolithic Rock Temples (Mahabalipuram)
10. Nagaraja Temple (Nagercoil)
11. Shore Temple, (Mamallapuram)
12. Annamalaiyar Temple, (Tiruvannamalai)
13. Gangaikonda Cholapuram, (Thanjavur)
14. Ucchi Pillayar Temple, (Rockfort)
15. Murugan Temple, (Tiruchendur)
16. Thillai Nataraja Temple,(Chidambaram)
17. Uppiliappan Temple, (Thirunageswaram)
18. Anjaneya Swamy Temple, (Namakkal)
19. Palani Murugan Temple, (Palani)
20. Kamakshi Amman Temple, (Kanchipuram)
21. Tyagaraja Temple (Tiruvarur)
22. Kapaleeswarar Temple (Mylapore)
23. Marundeeswarar Temple (Thiruvanmiyur)
24. Airavatesvara Temple (Darasuram)
25. Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple (Thiruvannamalai)

1. Meenakshi Amman Temple (Madurai)

This temple worships Meenakshi which is another form of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Lord Sundareshwarar. This is one of India’s most famous temples, built reportedly in 6^th century AD although some of its was damaged by invasions in the 14^th The temple was restored in the 16^th century and showcases spellbinding Dravidian architecture along with sculpted Gopurams which are a key attraction. The hall with a thousand pillars is another engineering wonder with every pillar emitting a musical note upon being touched.

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2. Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur)

This is a big temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. It was built in the 11^th century AD and showcases grand architectural styles of the Chola Kings. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a Vimana or tower that goes up to 216 ft. This is reportedly the tallest across the globe and the Kumbam on top of the tower weighs a massive 80 tonnes and is made from a single granite block.

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3. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam)

This temple worships Lord Vishnu and is situated on the pristine Srirangam Island in Tiruchirappalli. Covering a whopping 150 acres, the temple comprises of 49 shrines and 21 Gopurams. The Raja Gopuram is the tallest in all of Asia at 236 ft. This temple has several attractions in store for visitors.

4. Jambukeswarar Temple (Thiruvanaikaval)

This Lord Shiva temple is an architectural delight with 7 tiered gopurams, carvings and 5 enclosures. The Shivlinga is kept in the Appu Lingam There is an underground stream beneath this Shivlinga. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati as Akilandeswari did penance under the cover of the Jambu tree here. She created a lingam from the River Cauvery’s water. Happy with her devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before her and taught her the Shiva Gnana. This is enacted by priests each day at noon and is a sight to behold.

5. Kanchi Kailsanathar Temple (Kanchipuram)

This temple may have been built by the Pallava rulers and is made of sandstone. This is the oldest Lord Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu and has a 16-sided Shivlinga crafted from black granite. There are 58 small shrines within the complex and a pyramid shaped main tower.

6. Ekambareswara Temple (Kanchipuram)

This temple is one of the five Panch Booth Sthalas or elements of the universe and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Earth. Legend states that Goddess Parvati did penance here by making a Shivlinga made of sand. Lord Shiva came before her and was called Lord of the Mango Tree.

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7. Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rameswaram)

One of the famous Char Dhams, this temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and local lore states that Sita, the wife of Rama, made a Shivlinga from sand which was called Ramalinga. The Vishwalinga beside it was believed to have been brought by none other than Lord Hanuman.

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8. Kapaleeshwarar Temple (Chennai)

The temple was built in 7^th century CE as per reports and the restoration took place in the 16^th This temple worships Lord Shiva. It has a Gopuram in a rainbow colour along with a water body and pillared halls.

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9. Monolithic Rock Temples (Mahabalipuram)

Mahabalipuram is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monolithic rock-cut temples are built as Panch Rathas or chariots. The Shore Temple is also adorned with sculptures and carvings.

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10. Nagaraja Temple (Nagercoil)

The Nagaraja Temple is dedicated to Vasuki, the serpent king. The 5-headed God is the deity in this temple and special rituals are performed here every Sunday. As per local lore, a village girl was once cutting grass when she saw blood coming out from her axe after hitting a stone accidentally. One of the villagers who came to the spot identified the stone as the idol of a 5-headed snake and post this the temple was built here. The soil beneath the idol here continues to be wet since it is still believed that blood keeps oozing out from the deity. This soil is believed to have magical powers for curing several ailments.

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11. Shore Temple (Mamallapuram)

Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram is one of the prettiest structural temples in Southern India that is built with blocks of granite from the shore of the Bay of Bengal. The Shore temple is among the oldest rock-cut structural stone temples in South India and is also a part of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.

Note:
It is open from 6 am to 6 pm.
The entry fee is 10 INR for Indians and 340 INR for foreigners.

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12. Annamalaiyar Temple (Tiruvannamalai)

Annamalaiyar Temple is known to be one of the largest temple complexes in the whole of India that dedicated to Lord Shiva. It located at the base of Annamalai hills. The temple complex comprises of four tall gateway towers and has many shrines which include Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman.

Note:
It is open on all days from 5:30 am to 12:30 pm and 3:30 am to 9:30 am.

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13. Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Thanjavur)

Gangaikondacholapuram Temple is situated close to Thanjavur city of Tamil Nadu and is famous for its architectural and engineering marvel. This great Temple of Lord Siva at Gangaikonda also has one of the largest statues of Nandi in the whole of southern India.

Note-
It is open from 6 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm.

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14. Ucchi Pillayar Temple (Rockfort)

This Rock Fort temple is devoted to Lord Ganesha and is located at a top of Rockfort in Tiruchirappalli. Ucchi Pillayar Temple is one of the most popular temple of Lord Ganesha in India and the rock offers a stunning view of Trichy city.

Note-
It is on a small hill that needs to be climbed.

15.  Murugan Temple (Tiruchendur)

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is among the most visited temple complex in southern India and it is devoted to Lord Murugan. The temple is also among of the richest temples of Tamil Nadu and the largest temple complexes with respect to the area in India.

Note:
It is open from 5 am to 9 pm.

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16. Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Thillai Nataraja Temple is one of the most important shrines of Lord Shiva which is located in the town of Chidambaram. Chidambaram temple is among the five Pancha Bootha Sthalams that represents one of the five classical elements and the temple complex is spread across 40 acres in the center of the city.

Note:
It is open from 6:30 am to 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

17.Uppiliappan Temple, Thirunageswaram

Uppiliappan Temple is another most visited temples in the Kumbakonam Taluk which is devoted to the Hindu God Vishnu. The temple complex of Uppiliappan comprises of all the shrines and water bodies related to it.

Note:
It is open from 4 am to 9 pm.

18. Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Namakkal

Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple is devoted to the Hindu God Hanuman and has one of the tallest statues of Hanuman in India. The statue of Lord Anjaneyar is about 18 feet (5.5 m) tall and incredibly carved out of a single stone!

Note: 
It is open from 6:30 am – 1:00 pm and 4:30 – 9:00 pm

19. Palani Murugan Temple (Palani)

Palani Murugan Temple is among the six abodes of Lord Murugan in India that is situated at foot-hills of the Palani hills in Dindigul. Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple is the most famous Murugan temples in India and is frequently visited by a lot of devotees.

Note:
Open from 5 am to 10 pm

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20. Kamakshi Amman Temple (Kanchipuram)

Kamakshi Amman Temple is a popular Hindu temple which is dedicated to Kamakshi and is situated in the historic city of Kanchipuram. Goddess Kamakshi is one of the disguises of the goddess Parvati. It is very famous among devotees and every year the temple is flocked with devotees offering prayer.

Note:
It is open from 5.30 am to 12 pm and 3.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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21. Tyagaraja Temple (Tiruvarur)

The Tyagaraja temple at Tiruvarur is among the ancient heritage sites of India and is a great representation of the religion-socio-cultural history of the Tamil Nadu for a period dating back over a millennium and a half years. Very little knowledge is there about this shrine to much of India. The huge temple complex is truly a legendary monument that has seen centuries of history and tradition. 

Note:
It is open from 5 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm.

22. Kapaleeswarar Temple (Mylapore)

The Kapaleeswarar Temple is popularly known to be one of the oldest temples in south Indian history. It is situated in Mylapore, Chennai. The shrine of Lord Shiva is the sole specialty of the temple. This temple was constructed by the Pallavas. Arubathimoovar festival is celebrated grandly in this temple during the months of March – April.

Note:
Open on all days except for Mondays.
The timings are from 5:30 am to 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

23. Marundeeswarar Temple (Thiruvanmiyur)

The Marundeeswarar Temple is a temple devoted to the Hindu Lord Shiva. It is situated in the Thiruvanmiyur region of Chennai. This place is mostly visited by the diseased and people with health ailments. The devotees believe that anyone who visits this temple and prays with full heart and dedication will be freed from all the diseases and health problems.

Note:
It is open from 9 am to 8 pm.

24. Airavatesvara Temple (Darasuram)

Airavatesvara temple is situated in Darasuram near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. The temple is constructed with the Dravidian style of architecture. This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. The temple is smaller than the Brihadeesvar temple, yet it is more exquisite in detail. This temple made to the list of “Great living Chola temple”.

Note:
It is open all days a week from 6:00 am to 8:30 pm.

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25. Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple (Thiruvannamalai)

Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar temple is situated in Thiruvannamalai. The main God worshipped in this place is Lord Shiva. This temple is believed to be the largest temple that is devoted to Lord Shiva. Karthigai deepam is one of the famous festivals that is celebrated in Arunachaleswarar temple.

Note:
It is open from 5:30 am to 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

A visit to the famous temples in Tamil Nadu will reinvigorate your senses and help you relax with the sheer peace and serenity on offer.