Temples to Explore in Tamilnadu

Enchanting Temples to Explore in Tamilnadu

Tamil Nadu is always recognized as the “Land of temples”. The popular temples in Tamilnadu have been the source of worship for devotees all over the world. Sacred by over 33,000 temples, Tamilnadu stands for numerous noteworthy names at the splendid and admired temples in India. The temples in the coastal state are the cradle of historic legends, traditional festivals in addition to tourist routes. Listed below are the top famous temples to explore in Tamil Nadu and not be missed out when you travel to the state.

1. Kapaleeswarar Temple, Chennai

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore Chennai

Kapaleeswarar temple is situated in the heart of Chennai city in the Mylapore area. This Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai city is one of the widespread temples at Tamil Nadu. It is said that the temple belongs to the 7th century. The Amrirulgu Kapaleeswarar temple is devoted to Goddess Parvati in the form of Karpagambal otherwise the “Goddess of the Wish-Yielding Tree” and Lord Shiva.

The Kapaleeswarar temple is crowded by believers all through the year. Main festivals such as Theppa Thiruvizha Float Festival, Brahmotsavam or ‘Arupathumoovar’ Festival, Vasanta Utsavam, and Navaratri Festival are celebrated in the premises Temple.

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Closed: Monday
Working Hours: 06:00 Am to 1:00 Pm and 04:00 Pm to 08:00 Pm
Cost: Nil

2. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

The Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar temple is one among the best place to explore in Tamil Nadu. It is prevalently called to be the “Thanjavur Periya Kovil”, which is the biggest temple in India. The exceptional structural design creates it one among the best temples in India. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva, where Brihadeeshwarar holds hundreds of sculptures of mighty lord Shiva.

The appearance of the massive idol of Lord Shiva with the eyes is very much divine. You can find 250 lingams and statues of his 108 dance postures at the premises of temples. This is the representation of Lord Shiva. Recognized to be the one among the ‘Great Chola Living Temples’ has endured the effects of climatic deviations, then six recorded earthquakes in addition to a major fire. Wonder at the structural design and the heavenly splendor of Lord Shiva.

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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 06:00 Am to 12:30 Pm and 04:00 Pm to 08:30 Pm
Cost: None, INR 5 for special Darshan
Chennai to Thanjavur distance: 279 Kms

3. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

 Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

Meenakshi Temple that is situated at Madurai remains to be one among the best-visited temples in Tamil Nadu. This temple is been is dedicated to Lord Shiva by a form of Sundareswarar and his wife Goddess Parvati where depicts the form of Meenakshi. The multifaceted houses 14 magnificent Gopurams comprising of two golden gopurams for the major deities decoratively sculptured and decorated. The Meenakshi temple holds magnificent beauty by wonderful structural design.

This outlandish temple was renovated through several various kings, by adding coiled corridors as well as larger-than-life sculptures. Based on the legend of this temple it is said that the marriage of the goddess Meenakshi to Lord Shiva truly held at Madurai and it is still been celebrated every summer through great excitement.


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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 05:00 Am to 12:30 Pm and 04:00 Pm to 10:00 Pm
Cost: None
Chennai to Madurai distance: 419 km

4. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram

 

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram

The temple is situated on Pamban Island; this Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameshwaram is ultimate among the great holiest temples at Tamil Nadu. The temple holds one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is one of the Char Dham pilgrimages.

the longest corridor, Ramanathaswamy temple

The Ramanathaswamy temple is said to have the longest corridor all over the world, almost 3000 feet long. The gorgeous position in addition to the divine atmosphere of Rameshwaram allures the visitors from all over the world all through the year.

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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 05:00 Am to 12:30 Pm and 04:00 Pm to 09:00 Pm
Cost: None
Chennai to Rameshwaram distance: 560 km

5. Kumari Amman temple, Kanyakumari

Kumari Amman temple, Kanyakumari

Kumari Amman Temple is situated by the shore of Kanyakumari were that the convergence of Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The temple is dedicated to the manifestation of Parvati, in the form of Kanyakumari who is the Virgin Goddess. The temple was constructed by the great Pandya kings during the 8th century and at last renovated by the Nayaka, Vijayanagar, and Chola rulers.

The Kanyakumari temple is not merely one of the best beautiful temples at India however packed by travelers from the whole world. The temple building is not merely a wonder to look at yet wonderful for your soul.
 
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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 05:00 Am to 12:30 Pm and 04:00 Pm to 09:00 Pm
Cost: None
Chennai to Kanyakumari distance: 702 km

6. Naganathaswamy Temple, Thanjavur

The temple is one of the popular temples among the Navagraha Temples at Tamil Nadu. People from diverse parts of the country come here to the temple to get rid of themselves from the Rahu Doshas. Devoted to the Sri Naganathaswamy and his wife Giri Gujambika, is the unique temple where Lord Rahu is cherished in the form of humans whereas in the other temples they have the serpent form. Based on the legends Lord Rahu deified here at this temple at Shivaratri in order to redeem himself from the curse of the rishi.

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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 05:00 Am to 12:30 Pm and 04:00 Pm to 09:00 Pm
Cost: None
Chennai to Thanjavur distance: 279 Kms

7. Ramaswamy Temple, Kumbakonam

One among the holiest temples of Lord Rama in India, the Ramaswamy Temple at Kumbakonam is one among the best famous temples situated in Tamil Nadu. Achutha Nayak of Thanjavur built the Ramaswamy temple at the time of 16th century. The devoted follower of the Lord has affectionately enshrined his respected.

The Maha Mandapam is rich through sophisticated stone artifact works of Rama-Katha. Meenakshi Kalyanam, Sukreeva Pattabisegam, Vamana Avatharam, is certain of the popular carving that has been engraved in the temple. You will also find 219 wall paintings that enlighten the sequence of incidents from the great Epic “Ramayana” drawn by herbal colors. Pay tribute to Lord Ram and his inspiring life.

Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 05:00 Am to 12:30 Pm and 04:00 Pm to 10:00 Pm
Cost: None
Chennai to Kumbakonam distance: 250 km

8. Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

One of the best famous temples at Tamil Nadu, the Nataraja temple is situated at the heart of the temple city of Chidambaram. This temple is one of the Panch Bhootha Sthalas one of five natural elements (aether) akasha.

The temple building is spread across almost 50 acres constructed during the time of Pallava or Chola emperors. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva by the form of Nataraja as well as and Lord Govindaraja Perumal. It is one among the certain temples while the Shaivite and Vaishnavite divinities are treasured at one place.        
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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 05:00 Am to 12:00 Pm and 05:00 Pm to 10:00 Pm
Cost: None
Chennai to Chidambaram distance: 227 km

9. Srirangam Ranganathar Temple, Tiruchirappalli

 Srirangam is the leading among the eight self-manifested shrines (Swayam Vyakta Kshetras) of great Lord Vishnu. It is similarly recognized to be the truly the best, chief, and the utmost significant temples among the 108 chief Vishnu temples (Divyadesams). This temple as also got other names like the Bhoologa Vaikundam, Thiruvaranga, Tirupati, Bhogamandabam, and Periyakoil. At the Vaishnava idiom, the name called “KOIL” means this temple only. The temple is exactly gigantic in size. The temple building is about 156 acres. It holds seven prakaras. These appendixes are designed through dense and huge rampart walls that run around the shrine. The temple is roughly 3 km from the city of Trichy. 

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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 05:00 Am to 01:00 Pm and 04:00 Pm to 10:00 Pm
Cost: None, However, special Dharshan is charged.
Chennai to Tiruchirappalli distance: 334 km

10. Pillayarpatti Cave Temple, Karaikudi  

Pillayarpatti Cave Temple, Karaikudi

Pillayarpatti Cave temple is one among the well-celebrated temples of Lord Vinayaga. The Lord here is called to be the Karpaka Vinayakar and this temple is situated at the temple place known to be Pillayarpatti that is nearby Karaikudi. This temple is one among the popular rock-cut temples at Tamil Nadu. This destination has got the name by the Lord Vinayaga where he is always called “pillayar” in Tamil.

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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 06:00 Am to 01:00 to 04:00 pm to 08:.00 pm
Cost: None, However, special Dharshan is charged
Chennai to Karaikudi distance: 418 km

11. Mahendravadi cave temple, Arakkonam  

This Mahendravadi cave temple is the single rock-cut temple that is been positioned in the village known to be the Mahendravadi at Arakonam. This was constructed by the majestic Pallava Varman and is been excavated by the Gunabhara at the tank known Mahendra thataka almost during the 1700 years. The chief divinity who is residing here is Lord Narasimha.

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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 05:00 Am to 01:00 to 05:00 pm to 09:.00 pm
Cost: None
Chennai to Arakonam distance; 91 km

12. Rock Fort Temple, Tiruchirappalli

Rock Fort Temple, Tiruchirappalli

Situated at the heart of the town and it is very much popular for the ancient rocks. The rock is said to rise at a height of almost 273 feet which needs to be climbed by 417 steps. You can find two Vinayaka temples in the foot as well at the top of the rock correspondingly and the Temple for Lord Shiva among them. The Lord Shiva is called to the THAYUMANAVAR. This states that the God who has turned out to Mother, which is said by the legends.

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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 06:00 Am to 08:.00 pm
Cost: None
Chennai to Tiruchirappalli distance: 334 km

13. Mahabalipuram Shore Temple – Mahabalipuram near Chennai  

Mahabalipuram Shore Temple – Mahabalipuram near Chennai 

Mahabalipuram Shore Temple is one of the best attractive temples in Tamil Nadu. Constructed by the shores of Mahabalipuram by the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal, this temple is wonderful. Constructed during the 7th century, Shore Temple portrays the enriched heritage of the Pallava dynasty. Wasted by wind and sea, the temple has beheld the historic occasions of India.
    
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Closed: Not Closed
Working Hours: 06:00 Am to 06:00 Pm
Cost: For Indians, it is INR 10 and for Foreigners, it is INR 250
Chennai to Mahabalipuram distance: 56 km