Chennai is a hub for many traditions and cultures, and it is home to some of the country’s oldest and most famous temples. These famous temples in Chennai allow people to understand the city’s spiritual heritage while providing exquisite works of art and a friendly atmosphere of worship. Each temple in Chennai has a distinct concept of worship, history, and culture If you want to admire the perfect blend of traditional music, literature, and culture, there are many temples to visit in Chennai.
Chennai has hundreds of popular temples, including the well-known Marundeeswarar Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Vadapalani Andar Temple, Ashtalakshmi Temple, and Karaneeswarar Temple. They bring the capital city to life and contribute significantly to its reputation as one of the most recognizable.So, let’s jump to the topic and find one more city’s famous temples in Tamilnadu!
List of Famous Temples In Chennai
Are you ready to visit the best temples in Chennai? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most famous shrines of the city, which are sure to attract you. Each temple offers a tale, with architectural splendor and spiritual importance waiting to be discovered.
1. Kapaleeswarar Temple
Here people worship the idol Lord Shiva in the form of Lingam. This temple was built in the 7th century by the Pallavas, the most powerful dynasty of South India, and it is one of the most peaceful temples in Tamil Nadu. On two days of the week, Monday and Friday, there are many devotees as compared to normal days. You can also see the most joyful festival, Bhramotsavam, in March, and it’s a 12-day celebration.
Story: The temple was built with Dravidian architecture, and according to Hindu scripture, the wife of Shiva, Parvati, worships Shiva in the form of a peacock. It’s also one of the reasons for the area’s name, Mylai, which means peacock.
Temple Timings: 5 am – 12 noon and 5 pm – 9 pm.
Other Attractions: Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Gaudiya Mutt, Parthasarathy Temple, Express Avenue Mall, and Marina Beach. You can visit these places nearby this temple.
2. Parthasarathy Temple
Triplicane is a beautiful place with beautiful temples and one of the most famous temples in Chennai is Parthasarathy temple. It has a colorful Gopuram, which attracts everyone, and devotees worshiped the Lord Venkat Krishna. You can also see the existence of this temple in the scripts of Alvars. In this temple, people worship different idols of Lord Narasimha, Lord Rama, and Varaha.
Story: Before in times this place is a Tulasi Forest at the time of the Chola dynasty whose King Sumati requested to see the Vishnu in the form of Parthasarathy and prayed at Srinivasa temple in Triptai.
Temple Timings: 6 am – 12 pm and 4 pm – 9 pm every day but on Friday and Saturday it is more crowded and Famous Temples In Chennai.
Other attractions: Parthasarathy temple near by places are Marina Beach, Vivekananda house, Express Avenue Mall, T Nagar, Kapaleeswarar temple, Rama Krishna temple, and Shirdi Sai Baba temple.
3. Ashtalakshmi Temple
On the shores of Elliot Beach, you will find one of the best spiritual places to visit, which is the Ashthalakshmi temple. You will see the eight forms of Lakshmi in one temple these are offspring, success, wealth, food, courage, knowledge, prosperity, and bravery. At the main sanctum, there is Lord Vishnu worshiped along with them and its architecture is too attractive and unique. This is a four-story temple near besant nagar beach and Famous Temples In Chennai.
Story: This temple was constructed on the wishes of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal of Kanchi Mutt, which was applied in January 1974 by public participation.
Temple Timings: 6:30 – to 12 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm.
Other attractions: Besant Nagar Beach, Ramakrishna Temple, Gandhi Statue, Kalakshetra dance academy, Marudeeswarar Temple, Arupadai Murugan Veedu Temple, Elliot’s Beach, and the Anna centenary library visit these places, and you will find the peace in every corner of these places. Its also Famous Temples In Chennai
4. Kalikambal Temple
This temple is the most powerful and oldest temple in Chennai. It was built in 1640 AD on Thambu Chetty Street, which is the financial street. Here the Godness Paravati form is worshipped, which is famously known as Kalikabal. This temple is most famous in Chennai for its powerful forces. This temple holds elegance and sacredness, which was destroyed by the invasion of the Portuguese.
Story: This temple is dedicated to the goddess Parvathi in the form of Kali and this place is so powerful and has got energy that protects the people and city. Its also Famous Temples In Chennai.
Temple Timings: 4:30 or 5 pm – 9 p:m.
Other attractions: Shri Ayyappan Temple, Viswaroopa Adhivyadhihara Sri Bhaktha Anjaneyaswami Temple, Padi Sivan Temple, Thiru Vidanthai Temple, and Vada Palani Murugan Temple, you can also visit these temples.
5. Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple
The temple of Lord Muruga has six brigade camps of Lord Muruga. There are different shrines for six Idols named Palani Dhandayuthpani, Thiruthani Murugan, Thiruparankundram Murugan, Palamuthircholai Murugan, Thiruchendoor Subramaniyan, Swami Malai Murugan. The architecture is unique and worthy to see must visit this temple for worship and get peace in life.
Story: This temple is famous for its spiritual incidents. The story is of Lord Murugan explaining the essence of the Pranava Mantram, which is “OM” to Lord Shiva.
Temple Timings: 7 am – 11 pm and 5 pm – 8:30 pm
Other attractions: Pamban Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple and Ashtalakshmi temple are also very nearer to this temple must visit them when you have time. Its also Famous Temples In Chennai
6. Sri Marundeeswarar Temple
One of the most famous temples in Chennai is the Sri Marundeeswarar temple at Thrivanmaiyur, one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. The architectural beauty will amaze you and you must visit this temple once and is a place of remedying worship for people with illnesses. It depicts the might of two powerful dynasties of South India, the Pallava, and Chola.
Here you will see the perfect paintings, decorated pillars, and detailed carvings. Here you can see the five-tier Gopurams models dedicated to Lord Shiva, This temple is filled on the days of Brahmotsvam, Siva Rathiri, and Pradhosham and all Mondays with the devotees of Lord Shiva. Here you can see the second-highest statue of Lord Shiva or Sri Anantadrishti 123 feet tall.
Story: The great Saint Boga made Lord Muruga with the Navapashanam or the nine herbs. He worshipped God and glorified his Idol, after many centuries the idol was damaged. He hides the idol in the forest. During the Chola dynasty king, Perumal go on a haunt where he rested under a tree and had a dream of the Lord. Lord give him a task to find the Idol, repolish, and start worshiping. The king does as Lord said, and many stories are behind it. Its also Famous Temples In Chennai
Temple Timings: 5:30 am – 12 Noon and 4 pm – 10 pm.
Other attractions: Ashtalakshmi temple, Rukmini Devi Museum, Besant Nagar beach, Sri Krishna Balarama temple, VGP universal kingdom, VGP golden beach, these are some places where you can visit if you reach there when the main doors are closed.
7. Sree Ayappan-Guruvayurappan Temple
This Lord Ayappan temple is in Nungambakkam and you can also worship other sanctums for Lord Muruga and Lord Vinayaka, which are other sons of Lord Shiva from the power of Shakti, Parvati. In the month of Karthigai, you will see this temple become crowded by the Ayappan devotees. The morning and evening prayers are more peaceful and advised to see them.
Story: The Lord Ayyappa is the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. When Lord Vishnu creates the Mohini roop to lure the demon/ asura Bhasmasura and try to distract him as he was misusing his powers obtained from Lord Shiva. The power is to burn anyone by putting a hand on the head, and he wants to try this on Lord Shiva Vishnu created himself as Mohini, and then Lord Ayyapa was born, who assassinated many other demons. Its also Famous Temples In Chennai
Temple Timings: 4 am – 11 am and 5 pm – 8:30 pm.
Other attractions: Panangal Park, Mahalingeshwarar Temple, Jeeva Park, and Semmozhi Park, these are near places that you can see if you are early from the time of the opening of the temple.
8. Vadapalani Murugan Temple
This temple has a rich history and elaborate architecture. In the temple, you will see Lord Muruga in the standing posture, and here you can see all 108 mudras of Bharathanatiyam. These are carved in the temple’s eastern tower, which is 40m high. The holy book, Sakandh Puran incidents are depicted on the ceiling, which amazes you the most. This is one of the most famous temples in Chennai.
Story: The devotee of the Murugan lord do prayers at this place in front of the portrait. This architectural temple was built in 1890 by Annaswami Nayakar, the founder and first priest of the temple of Murugan.
Temple Timings: 5 am – 12 noon and 4 pm – 9 pm.
Other attractions: Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple, the forum mall, Angallam temple, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappa Temple, and Olive Ayurvedic Center, these are some places to visit near this temple.
9. Sai Baba Temple, Ambatt
This temple has a rich history and elaborate architecture. In the temple, you will see Lord Muruga in the standing posture, and here you can see all 108 mudras of Bharathanatiyam. These are carved in the temple’s eastern tower, which is 40m high. The holy book, Sakandh Puran incidents are depicted on the ceiling, which amazes you the most. This is one of the most famous temples in Chennai. Its also Famous Temples In Chennai.
Story: A person Sadhana Deva Kumar claimed that Sai Baba came in his dream and ask him to build his temple as he was holding a real estate business. He sold his all property for building this temple. At that time rain was continuously falling on the ground, which close down the work, and after that, a Naga sai appeared and protected the land until it finished.
Temple Timings: 6 am – 12 pm and 4 pm – 8 pm.
Other attractions: Chinna Thirupathy Aalayam, Guruvayur Krishna Temple, and Ambattur Lake, visit these places nearby and feel the peacefulness in your life and enjoy the trip.
10. Vedapureeswarar temple, Thiruverkadu
The idol of Swayambu Lingam is worshiped as one of Shiva Sthalam and Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams. Its architectural view is of vimana atop the Sanctorum, which was built in the unique Gaja Brishtam way. It is around 1300 years old and is renowned for the work of the great poet Thriugnanasambanthar. Its also Famous Temples In Chennai.
Story: Shiva, the supreme Lord visited here at the request of Saga Agastya in the marriage pose. There is also a story associated with his son Kartikeya (Murugan) earning his weapon to destroy the demon King Surapadma.
Temple Timings: 5 am – 12 noon and 4 pm – 8 pm.
Other attractions: Vishwaroopa Adhivyadhihara Anjaneyar Temple, Padi Sivan Temple, Rajiv Gandhi Memorial, and Cholamandalam Artist Village are some of the attractions near this temple.
Conclusion
Interesting, huh? Hope this list of most famous temples in Chennai will help you on your spiritual journey.
There are some special stories behind the forming of these temples. These temples show the hard work and dedication of laborers who form such a masterpiece of art and culture. So, plan your trip now to explore these spiritual beauties of Chennai.
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FAQs
Which is the largest temple of Lord Shiva in Chennai?
Kapaleeshwarar Temple is known as as the largest Lord Shiva temple in Chennai. This temple was constructed in the seventh century, is regarded one of India’s oldest temples.
Which temple is the oldest in Chennai?
Parthasarathy Temple located in Triplicane is the city’s oldest temple.It was constructed in the eighth century. This temple has huge historical and spiritual significance, attracting thousands of worshipers.
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