Chennai is home to many historic temples that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. Must-visit temples include the Kapaleeswarar Temple, Parthasarathy Temple, and the Vadapalani Murugan Temple.
Famous Temples in Chennai (Part 2)
1. Kapaleeswarar Temple
The Kapaleeshwar Temple was dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Karpagambal in the seventh century. This Goddess is a different form of Parvati, who is also known as Durga, Shiva’s wife. The temple is in Mylapore, Chennai, and it has a wonderfully unique and beautiful appearance. Every day, this temple conducts six pujas, the gopura and the architecture are a stunning visual treat and it also has a big tank on its west side as well is surrounded on all four sides by broad streets. Thousands of historians and travel junkies go to this divine spot every year because of the Dravidian shape of its architecture.
Opening Hours: 5:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Closed on Monday
Address: 12, North Mada Street, Mylapore(Kesava Perumal Sannathi St Vinayaka Nagar Colony), Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004, India
Nearer Attractions: Gaudiya mutt, Shirdi Sai baba temple, Express avenue mall, Parthasarathy temple, and Marina beach.
2. Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple
The Arupadai Veedu Temple, belonging to the Tamil God Lord Muruga, is a place of worship for all six veedus or holy shrines. Swamimalai, Thiruthani, Palani, Thirupparankunram, Pazhamudircholai, and Thiruchendur are six veedus of great religious significance because they have been mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature. From the top of the temple, You get to see the breathtaking views of the Bay of Bengal. As a wish of devotees, homams such as Skanda Homam, Rudra Homam, and Ganapati Homam are conducted on a regular basis. Thai Pusam, Panguni Uthiram, Aadi Krittikai, and Skanda Shashti are all celebrated with Kavadi, Paal Kudam, and other traditional foods. The temple’s Valli Thirukalyanam has become famous among parents of unmarried girls, and many of them have had their wishes granted almost immediately.
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 12.00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Address: 1, Thirumurugan St, Kalakshetra Colony, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090
Nearer Attractions: Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, Sri Rathnagiriswarar Temple, Marundeeswarar Temple.
3. Marundeeswarar Temple
Marundheeswarar is said to be built in the 11th century and One of the most revered temples in Chennai. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Marundheeswarar, who is the Healer of all Illnesses. Rishi Valmiki is said to have worshipped Lord Rama under the sacred Vanni tree, which may be seen in the 1-acre temple grounds. The Marundeeswarar Temple is one of Tamil Nadu’s Trinity seashore temples. It is especially worth seeing during the Shivratri, Skanda Sashti, and Vinayaka Chaturthi festivals, as well as the Panguni Uthiram celebration in the middle of March.
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Address: 8, W Tank St, Lalitha Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600041
Nearer Attractions: Pamban Swamigal, Sri Sakkarai Amma Temple, Sai Baba Temple
Famous Temples in Chennai (Part 1)
4. Vadapalani Andavar temple
Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple, popularly called the Vadapalani Murugan Temple, is devoted to Lord Murugan and is one of Chennai’s most popular tourist sites. This temple was built in 1890 by Annaswami Nayakar, a Murugan devotee, and was restored in 1920 by adding a massive rajagopuram to the entranceway. It is a famous place for marriages and other religious events, and it is said that the moolavar in standing posture imparts health and prosperity on the newly married couple. It is one of South India’s most lovely temples.
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Arulmigu Vadapalani Andavar Temple, Palani Andavar koil street, Vadapalani, Chennai – 600026
Nearer Attractions: Vengeeswarar Temple, Gangai Amman Kovil, Sri Panduranga Kovil.
5. Madhya Kailash Temple
Madhya Kailash Temple is on the list of Shiva Temples in Chennai and it is also known as Nuddukayilai in Tamil. It represents the vast and rich culture in the history of Hinduism. The primary goddess, Venkata Ananda Vinayakar, is surrounded by shrines to Lord Shiva, Surya, Devi, and Vishnu. The famous eight bells have been placed into the temple to highlight the fact that Vinayaka is a form of ‘Om.’ The idol of Adhyantha Prabhu has made the temple famous. Lord Ganesha appears in the god’s right frame, while Lord Hanuman appears in the god’s left frame. The sun rays fall on the main image on Vinayaka Chaturthi day, making the temple even more auspicious and famous.
Opening Hours: 5:30 AM – 12 Noon and 4 PM – 8 PM
Location: Sardar Patel Rd, Sriram Nagar, Tharamani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600113
Nearer Attractions: Panchamukha Hanuman Temple, Periyapalayam Sri Bhavani Amman Temple.
6. Ekambareswarar Temple
On the list of Hindu temples in Chennai, Ekambareswarar is a very popular temple. Lord Shiva, along with other Gods such as Ganesha, Vishnu, Shakthi, Surya, and Goddess Kamakshi, is worshipped with full elegance and devotion at Ekambareswarar Temple. Along with them, there is a second temple dedicated to Navagraha—the nine planets—within the same compound. This temple was established in 1680 by Alanganatha Pillai, a British Raj devotee, and was known as Allingall’s Pagoda till the 18th century. This is one of Chennai’s most popular and beautiful temples, especially during the Chithirai, Aadi, Margazhi, and Panguni festivals.
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Address: Ekambaranathar Sannathi St, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502
Nearer Attractions: Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadaraja Perumal Temple
7. Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Anjaneya Swamy Temple is located in Nanganallur, Chennai’s southern region. Lord Anjaneya, also known as Lord Hanuman, is worshipped in that same temple. The temple houses one of India’s largest Hanuman statues. A single layer of rock was used to create the 32-foot-tall granite figure. The temple attracts a huge number of worshipers as well as tourists who come to see the statue alone.
Opening Hours: 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Address: No. 1, 8th Street, Ram Nagar, Nanganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600061
Nearer Attractions: Sri Uttara Guruvayurappan Temple, Arulmigu Sri Arthanareeswarar Temple, Sri Lakshmi Hayavadana Perumal Temple
8. Adeeswar Temple
Adeeswar Temple is among Jain temples in Chennai, and it is located in Balaji Nagar, near the famous Redhill Lake. Rishabhdev, also known as Adeeswar, Adi Bhagavan, Adi Jain, and Adi Nath, is the first Tirthankara of the Jain religion. Because of its spiritual environment and peaceful vibes, it is one of the best temples to visit in Chennai. The inscriptions that covered the temple’s walls have become an important part of Tamil literature, hence the temple has literary worth as well. The earth-colored temple is known for its life-size statues of an elephant and a famous mystic creature. The temple represents the birth and growth of Jainism in Tamil Nadu.
Opening Hours: 5:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 05:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Location: Redhill Lake, GST Rd, St Anthony Nagar, Balaji Nagar, Puzhal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
Nearer Attractions: ISKCON Temple, Madhya Kailash Temple, Sri Uttara Guruvayurappan Temple.
9. Chennakesava Perumal Temple
Chennakesava Perumal Temple is one of the oldest temples in Chennai, located in George Town. It is considered to be the first temple built in this area in the 1700s, and it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s avatar, Chennakesava Perumal. The carved pillars and statues worshiping various gods are the main part of this temple. Manali Saravana Mudaliyar and Manali Krishnaswami Mudaliar are celebrated as artistically carved pillars and entrances, as well as sculptures. The morning pooja of Kaalasandhi, the afternoon pooja of Uchikkala, and the evening pooja of Saayaraksha are all done three times a day in the temple.
Opening hours: 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM
Address: Devaraja Mudali St, Rattan Bazaar, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003
Nearer Attractions: kandhakottam Temple, Kalikambal Temple, Ambal Temple, Kandaswamy Temple.
10. Thirumalai Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple
Thirumalai Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple is related to Lord Venkatachalapathi or Lord Venkateswara, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, and is located close to Swami Pushkarini Lake in T Nagar. It is a popular Vaishnavite temple and one of Chennai’s most visited temples, however, it is particularly crowded on weekends. The temple has great architecture, including wonderful gopurams on the exterior. Every day begins with morning pooja at 3 a.m. and ends with Ekanta Seva at 8 p.m. in the temple.
Opening Hours: 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Location: Tirupathi Devasthanam Information Centre, 50, Venkata Narayan Salai, T.Nagar, Chennai-600 017.
Nearer Attractions: Sri Venkateswara Temple, Swami Pushkarini Lake, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari, TTD Gardens, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple