Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is home to several iconic temples that showcase the state’s unique architectural styles and religious practices. Must-visit temples include the Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Kapaleeswarar Temple, and the ancient Ekambareswarar Temple.
Famous temples in Chennai (Part 1)
Parthasarathy Temple
Parthasarathy Temple is related to Lord Krishna and it is one of the most famous Vishnu temples in Chennai. In fact, it is the only temple in Chennai that celebrates Lord Vishnu’s many avatars, including Krishna, Varaha, Rama, and Narasimha. Rama and Narsimha have separate entrances towards the temple. The Parthasarathy Temple contains beautiful sculptures, inscriptions, and murals portraying various events from the Battle of Kurukshetra.
Timing: 5:50 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Address: Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005
Built-In: 8th century
Ashtalakshmi Temple
Ashtalakshmi Temple, located near Elliot Beach, is a holy masterpiece and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful temples in Chennai. This temple is one of the most artistically built, devoted to Goddess Laxmi and her eight forms, each of which represents success, birth, prosperity, wealth, courage, bravery, food, and knowledge.
On the first floor, Adilakshmi, Dharyalakshmi, and Dhanyalakshmi have statues, while Goddess Mahalakshmi and Maha Vishnu have memorials on the second floor. Santha Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, and Gajalakshmi are worshipped on the third floor, while Dhanalakshmi is worshipped on the fourth.
Timing: 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Elliot’s beach, 6/21 paindi Amman Kovil, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090
Built-In: 1974
ISKCON Temple
Everyone must have heard of ISKCON Temple, the Hare Krishna group looks after these temples. The temple is located on the East Coast Road in South Chennai and is believed to be the largest Radha-Krishna temple in the world. This temple is a combination of many cultures and modern scientific technologies. They offer lectures and audio-visual presentations about Hindu philosophy to attract more people to the ISKCON activity.
Timing: 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Bhaktivedanta Swami Road, Off ECR, Akkarai, Sholinganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119
Built-In: 2012
Karaneeswarar Temple
Karaneeswarar Temple is an ancient temple in the Saidapet area, dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the temple grounds, there is a waterfall known as Gopathi Saras that is said to have miraculous powers and can cure illnesses if bathed in the holy waters on a full moon night. Lord Ganesh, Lord Surya, Lord Kartikeya, and Lord Karaneeswarar have shrines in this temple.
Timing: 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: 1, Karaneeswarar Koil St, Suri Ammapet, Saidapet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600015
Built-In: 12th-century
Kalikambal Temple
Kalikambal Temple is included in the list of great temples in Chennai. This temple, dedicated to Kaligambal and Kamateswarar, was originally built near the seashore and was relocated to its current Address in 1640. Furthermore, according to mythology, God in his angry form was the first worshipping god, which was eventually replaced by Shanta swaroopa, Goddess Kamakshi’s for its peaceful and calm form.
Timing: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: 212, Thambu Chetty St, near DHL Express Courier, Mannady, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001
Built-In: 1678
Kandhakottam Temple
KandhaKottam is another wonderful temple in Chennai, dedicated to Lord Murugan. According to legend, this temple was founded by two hardworking and devoted Thiruporur traders. Along with everyday pujas and rituals, special weekly worship is held every Thursday, during which the priest performs Jothi Darshanam and chants Arutperunjothi Agaval.
Timing: 6:00 AM to 9:45 PM and 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: 38, 52, Nyniappa St, Rattan Bazaar, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003
Built-In: 1915
Kumaran Kundram Temple
The Temple Lord Murugan is positioned facing north in the temple, which is situated on the top of a hillock. To get to the shrine, devotees must climb around 80 steps. Vinayagar, Shiva, Sarabheswara, Ambal, and the Navagrahas are among the gods and goddesses worshiped at this shrine.
Timing: 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Address: Chrompet
Built-In: 1979
Mangadu Kamakshiamman Temple
Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple is in Mangadu, a city of Chennai between Kundrathur and Poonamalle. Mangadu refers to mango groves or mangroves. The Hindu goddess Kamakshi Amman is worshiped at the temple. The goddess is said to have playfully closed Lord Shiva’s eyes, making the entire world become dark. Unmarried girls who pray to Goddess Kamakshi here are said to be married quickly. This belief has made it one of Chennai’s most well-known Amman temples.
Timing: 6:00 AM to 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Location: Kundrathur – Sriperumbudur Road, Srinivasa Nagar, Mangadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600122
Built-In: NA
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Mylapore is a Hindu temple, it was established in 1952. It was created in memory of the Indian saint Sai Baba of Shirdi by a notable devotee named Narasimha Swamy. He built the temple with the contribution of a Chettiar trader and developed it as one of the most prominent and well-known temples in Chennai.
Timing: 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: No 187 BheemaSena Garden Street, Royapettah High Rd, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004
Built-In: 1952
Mahalingapuram Ayyappan Temple
The Mahalingapuram Ayyappan temple in Chennai was the city’s first Ayyappan temple. This temple was dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, the god of growth, and was built in 1974 under the guidance of Sri.N.Subramanian Stapathy. This temple has a massive number of devotees during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku seasons when many visitors travel to Sabarimala, the most popular Ayyappa temple in the world. It receives a large number of visitors each month because it is one of the most famous temples in Chennai city.
Timing: 3:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Address: 18, Madhavan Nair Rd, Mahalingapuram, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034
Built-In: 1974
Thanks for the information. Nice blog about famous temples in Chennai. Very useful for people who wants to visit Chennai.