Welcome to the World of Extraordinary!
Are you a religious person? Are you looking for a place to find peace with your almighty?
Just hold on! We are going to talk about the Famous temples in Tamil Nadu, in this article.
Tamil Nadu is the land of ancient Temples, and it immediately shows images of majestic brilliance, ages-old temples, and spiritual holiness. Each temple has a rich cultural and spiritual history.
Blessed with more than 33,000 temples, Tamil Nadu is the perfect example of the cultural heritage of India. The finest architectural design of these temples takes you back to the historic Dravidian, Chola, and Pallava dynasties. Likewise, these temples also showcase the prosperous taste of royal kings.
So, Prepare yourself for an extraordinary adventure as we lead you to the 10 famous temples in Tamil Nadu to explore their rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
Let’s take a deep dive!
A trip to the 10 most popular temples in Tamil Nadu is something you must do if you have any interest in history, or spirituality, or are simply mesmerized by the magnificence of the building. Here is the list of these famous temples in Tamilnadu you must explore:
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram
This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and one among the char dhams.
It is one of the holy places for Hindus and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
According to legend, the Lord Rama prayed here to God Shiva to seek his blessings and ask forgiveness for killing his biggest devotee(Ravan).
This temple has 2 Lingas, One is Ramalinga which is believed to be made by Devi Sita(Lord Rama’s Wife), and another is Viswalingam which is brought from the Himalayas by Hanuman Ji.
The temple is also home to 22 Theerthams, or holy water bodies in the form of tanks and wells. These teerthams resemble the 22 arrows in Rama’s quiver. It is believed that every devotee must bathe before entering the sanctum sanctorum.
Timings – 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Meenakshi Amman Temple, also known as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is one of the best temples in Tamil Nadu, India. This Temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (a form of Goddess Parvati), and Sundareswarar (a form of Lord Shiva). It has 14 magnificent Gopurams including two golden Gopurams for the main gods elaborately sculptured and painted.
Although the actual era of this temple is not confirmed but the structures that remain now were built between the 12th to the 18th century. This temple was built in the 17th century A.D. by the Nayak rulers. It is a great example of sculpture and magnificent architecture.
According to the legends, the goddess Meenakshi and Shiva were married in Madurai and is still celebrated every summer with great excitement.
Timing: 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
The Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur is one of the best Temples in Tamil Nadu. It is the largest temple in India and is also known as “Thanjavur Periya Kovil”.
The temple is 1002 years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built by the Chola dynasty Emperor, Rajaraja Chola I. The temple presents the brilliance and excellence of the architectural skills of Cholas. This temple was constructed in 1010 AD and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is home to hundreds of sculptures of the deity. The huge idol of Lord Shiva with three eyes is divine to glance at. There are 250 lingams and sculptures of his 108 dance poses in the temple premises, representing Lord Shiva.
Timings – 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Naganathaswamy Temple, Thanjavur
Naganathaswamy Temple is one of the Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu People from all over the country visit the temple to rid themselves of Rahu Doshas.
This temple is dedicated to Sri Naganathaswamy and His consort Giri Gujambika, is the only one in which Lord Rahu is shown in human form whereas, in the other temples, he is portrayed as a serpent. According to legends, Lord Rahu worshipped here in this temple during Shivratri in order to break free from a rishi’s curse.
According to temple devotees, Rahu’s milk abhishekam drives the milk to turn blue. Suriya Pushkarani, Gowthama Theertham, Parasara Theertham, Indira Theertham, Prugu Theertham, Kannuva Theertham, and Vasishta Theertham are the twelve holy water heads that are located here. It is considered that a bath in the sacred waters can bring prosperity and cure one of the diseases. Additionally, it purifies negative karma and finally brings about salvation.
Every day, the temple performs six pujas. During the amazing rites of Ushakkala, Kalasandhi, Uchikkala, Sayaratchai, Irandam Kala, and Arthajama Pooja, visitors are enchanted by the divine bliss.
Timing: 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Located in the heart of the temple town of Chidambaram, the Nataraja temple is one of the famous temples in Tamilnadu. This temple is also one of the Panch Bhootha Sthalas, presenting one of the five natural elements, akasha (aether).
The 50-acre temple was built during the Pallava/Chola rulers’ reign. Lord Shiva is worshipped at the temple as Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal. The fact that both Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are housed in one temple makes it unique.
The most noteworthy attraction is Lord Shiva’s Ananda Tandava posture. One of the origins of Bharathanatyam is this posture of dancing in the heavens. The symbol of ignorance is the demon beneath Nataraja’s feet. This hand’s fire represents the destroyer of evil.
The raised hand represents that he is the savior of all life. The ring at the back represents the universe. The drum in his hand represents the origin of life. The temple structure also features plaster representations of 108 Bharatha Natyam dance positions.
Timing: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Kumari Amman temple, Kanyakumari
Located on the shore of Kanyakumari, Kumari Amman Temple is dedicated to the incarnation of Goddess Parvati in the form of Kanyakumari (the Virgin Goddess). The temple was built in the 8th century by the Pandya kings and later renovated by the Vijayanagar, Nayaka, and Chola rulers.
According to legends, the temple of Goddess Kanyakumari is dedicated to the destroyer of evil who defeated demon king Banasura. The goddesses underwent severe penance to win the hand of Lord Shiva for marriage.
The Kumari Amman temple is crowded by visitors from all over the world. Kanyakumari is not only the home of spiritual temples, but there are also many places with sunset & sunrise viewpoints and popular beaches in Tamil Nadu to explore.
Timing: 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Kapaleeswarar Temple, Chennai
The Kapaleeshwarar Temple is one of the most popular temples in Tamil Nadu. The Amrirulgu Kapaleeswarar temple, built in the 7th century, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the form of Karpagambal, or the “Goddess of the Wish-Yielding Tree.”
A visitor to the temple has an intense feeling of spiritual bliss. The temple’s main sanctuary, the Gopuram, is a remarkable example of Dravidian architecture. The temple’s grounds contain inscriptions from the 12th century. Six different types of pujas are held at the temple: Ardhajama Pooja, Vaikarai Pooja, Kaala Sandhi Pooja, Uchi Kala Pooja, Evening Pooja, and Ko Pooja.
Kapaleeswarar temple is crowded by devotees throughout the year. People celebrate major festivals on the temple’s grounds, such as Brahmotsavam, also known as “Arupathumoovar,” Theppa Thiruvizha Float Festival, Navaratri Festival, and Vasanta Utsavam.
Timing: 05:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Ramaswamy Temple, Kumbakonam
Ramaswamy Temple is one of the holiest temples in Tamil Nadu.
It was built in the 16th century by Thanjavur’s Achutha Nayaka. The devoted disciple of the Lord has tenderly enshrined his revered.
Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is worshipped in the Ramaswamy temple. This is the only temple in India where Lord Rama is seen with all of his brothers, his wife Devi Sita, and his beloved devotee Lord Hanuman with the musical instrument Veena. This makes this temple different from other Rama temples in India.
The Maha Mandapam is enhanced with detailed stone carving works of Rama-Katha. Vamana Avatharam, Meenakshi Kalyanam, and Sukreeva Pattabisegam are some of this temple’s famous carving works. Additionally, there are 219 wall paintings that use herbal colors to explain the series of incidents from the great epic “Ramayanam.”.
Timings: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
The Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the holiest Shiva temples. The temple town of Kanchipuram is considered the most important of the seven prime pilgrimage centers in India. This temple is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams, each representing a natural element. This temple represents the element of Earth, as the goddess Prithvi Lingam is worshipped here.
According to legends, Devi Parvati worshiped a Prithivi Lingam made of sand under a mango tree. The four Vedas are claimed to be embodied in the 3500-year-old mango tree. The tree bears fruits of four different tastes each season here. This temple has six devotional rituals every day: Pradosham, Sayarakshai, Ardhajamam, Kaalasanthi, Uchi Kaalam, and Ushad Kalam.
The temple’s heavenly ambiance is worth your time. Admire the mythological stories, the architecture, and the divinely blissful setting.
Timings: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is situated on Srirangam Island in the Tamilnadu city of Tiruchirappalli. It is another masterpiece of Dravidian architecture.
The temple occupies more than 150 acres and is home to 49 sub-shrines and 21 exquisitely carved Gopurams, or tower entrances. The main Gopuram, known as the “RajaGopuram,” is the highest in Asia, rising 236 feet.
During your visit, you must see the temple’s hall, which is supported by thousands of pillars and may leave anyone in wonder of its artistic brilliance. The finely carved sculptures of horses standing on their back legs, representing scenes from combat, on the base of these pillars provide a breathtaking display.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Conclusion
So, are you ready now to explore the most popular temples in Tamil Nadu?
If you are a history buff, want to explore the rich Indian heritage, or are an architecture admirer, there are various places to visit in Tamil Nadu you must explore.
There are hundreds of temples in Tamil Nadu, which get countless pilgrims and tourists each year. If you are on a pilgrimage trip to South India, you must visit these temples because they offer you a wonderful spiritual and supernatural experience.
Wishing you a blissful spiritual journey!
FAQs
Q. Which is the oldest temple to visit in Tamil Nadu?
Ans. Veetrirundha Perumal Temple and Murugan Temple in Saluvankuppam are the two pre-Pallava Hindu temples that still exist. These temples are considered the oldest temples in Tamil Nadu.
Q. Which are the major festivals held at Ramanathaswamy Temple?
Ans. Some of the major festivals held at Ramanathaswamy temple are:
- Mahashivaratri
- Navratri and Dussehra
- Thirukalyanam
- Ramalinga Pratishtha
- The festival of Arudhra Darshanam.
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