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• 28 Famous Temples In Chennai In 2024 That Are Artistic, Spectacular And Divine

22 Oct 2021

Buzzing streets, beaches, shopping arcades, historical monuments, and skyscrapers are not the only elements that sum up Chennai. Some stunning heritage temples add a hint of colour and charm to the city. With rich spiritual history and marvellous structures, the famous temples in Chennai , not only allure devotees and religious enthusiasts but everyone who loves to explore architectural wonders. The temples are dedicated to deities of different religions and have some really interesting mythological stories to tell. This is a great idea for exploring the capital city in a different light.

28 Popular Temples In Chennai In 2024

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu is a hub of temples of various faiths. Built in the unique South Indian architectural styles, these Chennai temples are a symbol of spirituality, culture and art. Here are some of the most popular and famous temples in Chennai that you might not want to miss on your vacation!

• Kapaleeswarar Temple
• Marundheeswarar Temple
• Ekambareswarar Temple
• Parthasarathy Temple
• Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple
• Kandhakottam
• Kalikambal Temple
• Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple
• Ashtalakshmi Temple
• Shree Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Mandir
• Mangadu Kamakshiamman Temple
• Adeeswar Temple
• Mahalingapuram Ayyappan Temple
• Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
• Arulmigu Ramanatheswarar Temple
• Madhya Kailash Temple
• Anjaneya Swamy Temple
• Kandaswamy Temple
• Chennakesava Perumal Temple
• Karaneeswarar Temple
• Navagraha Temples
• ISKCON Temple
• Varasiddhi Vinayagar Temple
• Nandeeswarar Temple
• Kumaran Kundram
• Sri Prasanna Venkata Narasimha Perumal Temple
• Ramanatheswarar Temple
• Sri Balaji Temple

1. Kapaleeswarar Temple

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Dedicated to Arulmigu Kapleeshwar- a form of Lord Shiva and Goddess Karpagambal- a form of Parvati, Kapaleeswarar is one of the most popular Shiva temples in Chennai. Built by Pallavas in the 7th century, the marvellous architecture resembles the Dravidian style, featuring wood carvings, stone carvings, decorated pillars and Gopuram at the doorway. There are 6 daily puja services in the temple such as Kala Santhi (morning), Uchchikala (Mid-day) Sayamkala (Evening) and Ardhajama (late Night), which allure devotees throughout the year. But maximum footfall is seen during major festivals like Panguni and Arubathimooval. Moreover, there is a huge tank, right behind the temple, where theppam or float festival is celebrated every year. This is one of the best places to visit in Chennai .

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, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004, India Built In: 7th century CE Built By: Pallavas

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2. Marundheeswarar Temple

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One of the most revered temples in Chennai, Marundheeswarar is believed to be built in the 11th century. Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Marundheeswarar- a healer of all ailments. According to mythological tales, Rishi Valmiki worshipped Lord Rama, under the holy Vanni tree, which is seen in the 1-acre sprawling temple ground. Marundheeswarar Temple is counted as one of the Trinity sea shore temples in Tamil Nadu; the other two are Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore and Thyagarajaswamy temple in Thiruvottiyur. This is one of the best Chennai temples that must be on your list.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Address: 8, W Tank St, Lalitha Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600041 Built In: 7th century Built By: Chola Dynasty

3. Ekambareswarar Temple

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This temple is a very popular temple on the list of Hindu temples in Chennai. In Ekambareswarar Temple, the Lord Shiva is worshipped with full grandeur and devotion, along with other Gods like Ganesha, Vishnu, Shakthi, Surya and Goddess Kamakshi. Along with these, there is a separate temple, within the same complex, dedicated to Nabagraha-the nine planets. This temple was built in 1680 by Alanganatha Pillai- a worker under the British Raj and was counted as Allingall’s Pagoda in the city maps till the 18th century. This is one of the most visited and best temples in Chennai, particularly during the festivals of Chithirai, Aadi, Markazhi and Panguni.

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 Built In: NA Built By: Chola Kings

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4. Parthasarathy Temple

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One of the most prominent Vishnu temples in Chennai, Parthasarathy Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is the only temple in Chennai, where different avatars of Lord Vishnu, namely, Krishna, Varaha, Rama and Narasimha are worshipped, under one roof. The temple has separate entrances for Rama and Narsimha. Parthasarathy Temple has spectacular sculptures, inscriptions and murals dedicated to different events of the battle of Kurukshetra.

Opening Hours: 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 Built By : Pallavas

5. Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple

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Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple, also known as Vadapalani Murugan Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is considered as one of the major attractions of Chennai. Built by Annaswami Nayakar, a devotee of Murugan in 1890, this temple was renovated in 1920 by building a huge rajagopuram at the entranceway. Sri Vadapalani Andavar temple is considered as a sacred place for marriages and other religious ceremonies and it is believed that the moolavar in standing posture blesses the newly married couple with health and prosperity. It is one of the most beautiful temples in South India .

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 Built In: Late 19th century Built By : Annaswami Nayakar

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6. Kandhakottam

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Another one of the most beautiful hill temples in Chennai, is dedicated to Lord Murugan in Kandha Kottam. Resting over sprawling 8 acres of land, this temple also has’ saravanapoigai’- a huge tank, right behind. Legend says that this temple was founded by two hard working and devout traders of Thiruporur. Here, Lord Murugan is worshipped as a ‘warrior God’. Along with daily pujas and rituals, there is a special weekly puja organised every Thursday, where Jothi Darshanam is shown and Arutperunjothi Agaval is sung by the priests.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 9:45 PM and 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM Address: 38, 52, Nyniappa St, Rattan Bazaar, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003 Built In: 1915 Built By : Maari Chettiar

7. Kalikambal Temple

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The list of famous temples in Chennai also has Kalikambal Temple. Originally located near the sea shore, this temple, dedicated to Kaligambal and Kamateswarar was re-located to its current location, in 1640. Moreover, legend has it that the original worshipping deity was God in his fierce form, which was replaced by shanta swaroopa or calm and composed form of Goddess Kamakshi, in later years. Historical sources reveal that in 1667, the Great Maratha King, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj himself visited this temple to worship.

Opening Hours: 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 Built By: Shivaji

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8. Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple

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Out of all the famous temples in Chennai, Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple is famed for maximum footfall, throughout the year, especially on Saturdays and during festivals. Situated by the banks of Sri Swami Pushkaarini, this temple boasts of marvelous architecture and artistically designed walls, pillars, and gopurams. The entrance porch looks stunning while the shrine of Lord Venkatachalapathi resembles closely with Lord Venkateshwara in Tirupathi.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Location: No 26, Venkatanarayana Rd, Parthasarathi Puram, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017 Built In: NA Built By: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams

9. Ashtalakshmi Temple

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Situated by the Elliot Beach, Ashtalakshmi Temple is a religious wonder and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful temples in Chennai. The uniqueness of the temple is that, it is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi and her eight forms, each representing success, offspring, prosperity, wealth, courage, bravery, food and knowledge. This is one of most artistically designed temples to visit in Chennai with four floors, marvellous structures, pillars and intricate roof design. The shrines of Aadilakshmi, Dharyalakshmi and Dhaanyalakshmi rests on first floor, while Goddess Mahalakshmi and Maha Vishnu on the second. Third floor houses Santha Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi and Gajalakshmi and Dhanalakshmi is worshipped on the fourth floor.

Opening Hours: 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Address : Elliots beach, 6/21 paindi Amman Kovil, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090 Built In: 1974 Built By: Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal

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10. Shree Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Mandir

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Shree Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Mandir is one of the most popular Jain temples in Chennai. Dedicated to 8th Tirthankara- Sri Chandraprabhu Bhagwan, this is a two-storied structure, built of sparkling white limestone, marble and soapstone. Endowed with white façade, beautiful murals and pillars, the intricate yet splendid architecture, resembles that of Dilwara temple in Rajasthan.

Opening Hours: 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM Location: 142 , S Mint Street, George Town, Sowcarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001 Built In : NA Built By : NA

11. Mangadu Kamakshiamman Temple

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The Mangadu Kamakshiamman Temple is located in Mangadu, a suburb between Kundrathur and Poonamalle in Chennai. The term Mangadu means Mango forests or Mangroves. The temple is dedicated to Hindu goddess Kamakshi Amman. It is believed that the goddess playfully closed Lord Shiva’s eyes due to which the entire world fell into darkness. Following which, Lord Shiva had asked her to perform some severe penance. And the place where the temple stands now is where Kamakshi Amman performed her penance. Lord Siva was so moved by her devotion, that he appeared before her and married her. So there’s a belief that unmarried girls who pray to goddess Kamakshi here get married soon. This belief makes it one of the most famous Amman temples in Chennai.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM Address: Kundrathur – Sriperumbudur Rd, Srinivasa Nagar, Mangadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600122 Built In : NA Built By : NA

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12. Adeeswar Temple

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Adeeswar Temple is a popular Jain temple in Chennai. It is belived that the temple was constructed in the 1st century BC, which is why it is also known as Kesarwadi Jain Temple by the locals. Though, some scholars say that it was built in 4th or 5th century. The temple is dedicated to first Tirthankar Shri Rishabhadev who is also known as Adeeswar, Adi Bhagvan, Adi Jain and Adi Nath. The temple is symbol of the beginning and growth of Jainism in Tamil Nadu. Its location being close to the Redhill Lake on the Grand Trunk Road makes it an accessible place for the devotees and visitors. It is one of the best temple in Chennai.

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 Built In: 1st century BC Built By : NA

13. Mahalingapuram Ayyappan Temple

The Mahalingapuram Ayyappan temple was the first Ayyappan temple to be built in Chennai. Constructed in 1974 under the guidance of Sri.N.Subramanian Stapathy, the temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, the god of growth. This temple is visited by a large of devotees and came into existence as many worshipers head to the most popular Ayyappa temple, Sabarimala, during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku seasons. As it is one of the famous temples in Chennai, it receives a heavy footfall every month.

Opening Hours: 3:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM  Location: 18, Madhavan Nair Rd, Mahalingapuram, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034 Aarti Timings: 3.30 AM Built In: 1974 Built By : NA

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14. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

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The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is a Hindu shrine located in Mylapore. The temple came in to existence in 1952. It was build by a prominant devotee called, Narasimhaswami, in memory of the Indian saint Sai Baba of Shirdi. The temple is considered to be one of the most powerful and famous temples in Chennai as Narasimhaswami had built it with the money donated by a Chettiar merchant.

Opening Hours: 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Address: No 187 Bheema Sena Garden Street, Royapettah High Rd, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004 Built In: 1952 Built By: Sri Narasimha Swamy

15. Arulmigu Ramanatheswarar Temple

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Located in Porur, Arulmigu Ramanatheswarar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple. The temple dates back to 700 AD. It is believed that when Lord Rama came was searching for his wife, Sita, he found linga of Lord Shiva here. And with his guidance he found the direction to Sita. The practice of offering Theertham (holy water) and Sadaari are only done in Vishnu temples. And, this is the only temple dedicated to Shiva, where it is offered to the devotees. The temple is built in the Chozha temple architectural style.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM Location: 19, Eswaran Koil St, RE Nagar, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600116 Built In: 700 AD Built By: Kulothunga Chola

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16. Madhya Kailash Temple

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Madhya Kailash Temple, also known as Nadukkayilai, is located in Adyar. The temple is popular due to its unique idol of “Adhyantha Prabhu”. The idol partly depict two Hindu deities – Ganapathy (Ganesha) and Anjaneya (Hunuman), with the right side being Ganesha and the left being Hanuman. The idol was built after a vision seen of this form by a temple official.

Opening Hours: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Address: Anna Sathya Nagar, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600028 Built In: NA Built By: NA

17. Anjaneya Swamy Temple

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Anjaneyaswami Temple is located in Nanganallur, a southern neighbourhood of Chennai. The temple is dedicated to Lord Anjaneya, popularly known as Lord Hanuman. The temple has one of the largest Hanuman idols in India. The 32 feet tall granite statue was constructed from a single layer of rock. The temple is visited by large number of devotees and tourists who come here just to see the statue.

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 Built In: 1995 Built By: NA

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18. Kandaswamy Temple

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Kandaswamy Temple is located on the Chennai – Mahabalipuram route, in Georgetown. Built-in the 11th century AD, the temple was abdicated by the Chola leaders who were in rule at that time. Situated in Cheyyur, a small village the temple is noted for architectural beauty. Its artistic walls display different figures posing in various styles. The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 9:45 PM Location:  Kandaswamy Temple, George Town, Chennai Built In: 1670 Built By: NA

19. Chennakesava Perumal Temple

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Chennakesava Perumal Temple is one of the oldest temples in Chennai that is located in the George Town area. It is believed to be the first temple built in the 1700s in this area. The temple is dedicated to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Chennakesava Perumal. The best part about this temple is the carved pillars and sculptures that honor different gods. It is also believed that Chennai was named after the name of this temple. 

Opening hours: 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM Address : Devaraja Mudali St, Rattan Bazaar, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003 Built In : 1117 CE Built By : King Vishnuvardhana

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20. Karaneeswarar Temple

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Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Karaneeswarar Temple is an ancient temple in the area of Saidapet. On the temple premises, you will find a rank with the name Gopathi Saras which is believed to have magical powers and can cure illnesses if one takes a dip in the holy waters on a full moon night. This Chennai temple houses shrines of Lord Ganesh, Lord Surya, Lord Kartikeya, and Lord Karaneeswarar. Regarded as one of the most beautiful ancient temples in Chennai.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM  to 9:00 PM Address : 1, Karaneeswarar Koil St, Suriyammapet, Saidapet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600015 Built In: 12th-century Built By : NA

21. Navagraha Temples

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In Chennai, you will find nine Navagraha Temples that can be dated back to the Chola Dynasty Era in the 7th to 11th century. They are dispersed on the outskirts of this city in Tamil Nadu. You can explore these temples in and around Chennai on your vacation to this city. The word Navgraha means nine planets in the universe and on this concept these temples were built. 

Opening Hours: 5:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and 5.00 PM to 9.00 PM Location: Kumbakonam Built In: NA Built By : NA

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22. ISKCON Temple

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Everyone must have heard of ISKCON Temple in one city or the other. These temples are maintained by the Hare Krishna organization. The temple is situated on the East Coast Road in South Chennai and is considered to be the biggest temple in Chennai that is dedicated to Radha and Krishna. In comparison to the old temples in Chennai, this one is newly built. 

Opening Hours: 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM,  and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Address: Bhakti Vedanta Swami Road, Off ECR, Akkarai, Sholinganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119 Built In: 2012 Built By : International Society for Krishna Consciousness

23. Varasiddhi Vinayagar Temple

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Built in 1979, the temple is the major cultural centre of Chennai and is known for its historical and religious significance. The poor are regularly fed in this temple and grand pujas are organised on various auspicious occasions. It is one of the historical temples in Chennai and also features an auditorium where many musical as well as cultural programs are held on a regular basis. 

Opening Hours: 5:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Location: Besant Nagar Built In: 1979 Built By: NA

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24. Nandeeswarar Temple

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The temple is located in Adambakkam, and is close to the St. Thomas Mount subway station. The temple is also known as Sivan temple, one of the famous temples in Chennai and is dedicated to Sri Nandeeswarar as the main deity and Gomathi or Aavudai Nayagi as the Goddess. Shrines of many prominent gods and goddesses are also available in the temples premises. 

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM Location: Adambakkam Built In: 950 AD Built By : NA

25. Kumaran Kundram

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The Newly Consecrated Rajagopuram of the Temple Lord Murugan. The temple is built on the top of a hillock and deity is placed facing North. Devotees are required to climb approximately 80 steps to reach the temple. Shrine of other gods and goddesses including Vinayagar, Shiva, Sarabheswara, Ambal and the Navagrahas.

Opening Hours: 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM Location: Chrompet Built In: 1 979 Built By : NA

26. Sri Prasanna Venkata Narasimha Perumal Temple

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Dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, the temple is one of the historical temples in Chennai and was constructed in the 15th century during the rule of Vijayanagara Kings and has elements that date back over a thousand years. During the Thotta Utsavam festival, the deity at the temple is visited by Shri Parthasarathy Perumal from his temple in Triplicane. And is one of the famous temples in Chennai.

Opening Hours: 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM Location: 15/8, Perumal Koil St, Sarathy Nagar, Saidapet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600015 Built In : NA Built By: NA

27. Ramanatheswarar Temple

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This beautiful temple is one the famous temples in Chennai and dates its history back to the days of the Ramayana when Lord Ram found the Shivalinga which is consecrated here. The main temple dates back to 700 AD when a Chola King had the temple constructed. The temple is also famous as Uttara Rameshwaram and as the Navagraha Sthanam dedicated to the worship of Guru, one of the Navagrahas. You can also visit this place on a road trip from Chennai . 

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM to 08:30 PM Location: 19, Eswaran Koil St, RE Nagar, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600116 Aarti Timings: 5:30 AM, 8:15 AM, 9:15 AM, 11:30 AM Built In: 700 AD Built By: II Kulathunga Cholan

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28. Sri Balaji Temple

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This beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Balaji this one of the famous temples in Chennai and is  beautifully run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The deity placed in the temples is carved out of a single stone and is beautiful. The temple is a popular tourist place and is visited by many devotees every year. This is also one of the best places to visit in Chennai . 

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM  to 9:30 PM Location: Balaji Nagar, Binny Colony, Kodungaiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600118 Built In: NA Built By: NA

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To understand the culture of Chennai and experience the different hues of the lives of the people of this city, one must visit these famous temples in Chennai. The temples are not just the places of worship, but are also the reflectors of Tamilian culture and beliefs. Are you excited about visiting these old temples in Chennai and knowing about their mythological stories? If yes, plan a trip to Chennai and explore this city from a different angle.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Temples In Chennai

Why is Tamil Nadu known as the ‘Land of Temples'?

The South Indian state of Tamil Nadu is known as the ‘Land of Temples’ because it is home to more than 30,000 temples. These include the ancient, old and new temples that belong to vivid dynasties and are dedicated to different Hindu gods and goddesses. Most of the temples are about 600 to 800 years old. They differ in style but have some common features that are significant to South Indian temple architectural style.

Which is the largest temple of Lord Shiva in Chennai?

Kapaleeshwarar temple is considered to be the largest temple of Lord Shiva in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The Kapaleeshwarar temple was built during the 7th century and is also considered to be one of the oldest temples in India.

Which is the oldest temple in Tamil Nadu?

Located in Saluvankuppam near Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, Murugan Temple is believed to be the oldest temple in Tamil Nadu. However there is no evidence to officially confirm this belief. The ruins of the temple were unearthed in 2005. It consists of two layers, a brick temple that was built during the Sangam period and the second layer has a granit temple belonging to the Pallava period.

How many temples are there in Tamil Nadu?

Going by the records of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Endowments Board, Tamil Nadu has 38615 temples within its boundaries. About 33,000 of them are ancient temples with many of them dating back to 800 to 5000 years.

Which is the largest temple in Tamil Nadu?

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu, one of the largest temples in not just Tamil Nadu but in the world. Where Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world, this one is the largest “functioning” temple in the world. The temple occupies an area of 156 acres (631,000 m²) and has a perimeter of 4,116m (10,710 feet). Another outstanding feature of this temple is that it has the tallest gopuram in the world, with a height of 239.501 feet.

What are the famous Hindu temples in Chennai?

Kapaleeswarar Temple, Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, Parthasarathy Temple, Sri Ramanaadheswarar Temple, Kalikambal Temple, and Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple are some of the famous Hindu temples in Chennai.

How to reach Ashtalakshmi temple in Chennai?

The Ashtalakshmi temple is located near Elliot beach in Chennai and the most convenient way to reach the temple is through a taxi which charges around INR 100 for 4 km or you may also take a bus that is available from different parts of the city.

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12 must visit temples in chennai, tamil nadu for a blessed holiday experience.

The never-ending picturesque beaches, bustling roads in the city, modern shopping malls, innumerable street food stalls and peaceful neighbourhoods – Chennai , the capital of Tamil Nadu is undoubtedly a magnificent tourist destination in India. But, Chennai is not all about these; Chennai is more about the spiritual places, religious temples with mesmerising architecture and the historical-mythological stories about the temples.

These temples are a representation of spirituality, culture, art, and tradition because they were built in the distinctive South Indian architectural traditions. All of the Hindu gods, including Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Sakthi, Murugan, Vinayaka, Guberar, Lakshmi, and many others, have temples throughout this capital city and make it a hub for religious tourism.

Here we will let you know about those 12 must-visit temples in Chennai that you should not miss on your trip. We will also let you know the interesting facts about Chennai temples, which we think will help you to decide on a spiritual trip to the city.

Summary of 12 Most Popular Temples in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

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Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore

One of the most well-known Shiva temples in Chennai is Kapaleeswarar, which is dedicated to Arulmigu Kapleeshwar, a form of Lord Shiva, and Goddess Karpagambal, an appearance of Parvati. The magnificent architecture, which was constructed by the Pallavas in the seventh century, features stone and wood carvings, painted pillars, and Gopurams at the doorways, which look similar to Dravidian architecture.

The temple offers daily puja services for six times. The different pujas such as Kala Santhi in morning, Uchchikala in mid-day, Sayamkala in evening and Ardhajama in late Night attract flocks of devotees to the temple throughout the year. However, the best time to visit this top visiting place is during the festivals like Panguni, Arubathimooval and Theppam or float festivals.

Architecture of the Temple

The entrance to this Dravidian-style temple is marked by two gopurams (gateways). The western gopuram is smaller than the east gopuram, which is 120 feet taller. The gopuram is decorated with several ornate, gorgeous statues of gods and goddesses. By the temple is a large tank called a kalyani.

Special Things to Know About the Temple

• As per legend, in a meeting, Brahma did not pay attention to Shiva, which made him angry and he removed one of Brahma’s heads. Brahma then came down to Mylapore and installed a linga here to please Shiva. Ever since, Lord Shiva is worshipped here.
• Another legend goes, when Shiva was narrating Panchakshara Mantra to Parvathi, a peacock distracted her, which enrages Shiva. He turned her into a peahen. To return back to her own form, as Shiva advised, Parvathy started worshipping Shiva in Mylapore to get rid of her curse.
• Parvathy used to worship Shiva under the Punnai tree, which still exists in the courtyard of the temple.
• There is also a statue of a peacock that symbolises Parvathy.
• Goddess Parvathy here is known as Karpagambal or Karpagavali, which means the heavenly tree ‘Karpagam’.
• Goddess Parvathy here is also known as the ‘Goddess of the Wish Yielding Tree’ that fulfils every wish asked for.

Visiting Hours: 5 AM to 12 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM. Closed on Mondays.

Location: 12, North Mada Street, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004, India

How to Reach?

Mylapore, where the temple is located, is well-connected with other areas of the city. The temple is only around six kilometres from Chennai Railway Station, from where you can take a bus or a cab to reach.

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Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane

Located in Triplicane area, Parthasarathy Temple is one of the popular ancient temples in Chennai. It is a structure that is over a thousand years old and is located in the middle of a busy city. The temple, which houses numerous shrines dedicated to various avatars of Lord Vishnu, welcomes thousands of Vaishnavites from all across the country.

Parthasarathy Temple, the famous Vishnu temple in Chennai, is one of the 108 sacred shrines to Vishnu that are included in the canonical Tamil literature known as Divya Prabandha, which was written by the Alvar saints between the sixth and ninth centuries. The temple is home to Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha, and Krishna, five different embodiments of Vishnu. These are known by many names in Tamil. This eighth-century Dravidian architecture is also home to countless other shrines.

The temple was constructed in the eighth century CE by the Pallava kings, with significant expansions made by the Cholas and the Vijayanagar kings later, The temple’s majestic Raja Gopuram, the entry tower with numerous stucco images, is enclosed by granite walls. The pillared halls, which are called Mandapams are decorated with a number of carvings and sculptures. The sanctum is decorated with a 9-foot-tall statue of Lord Venkatakrishna or Parthasarathy, who is accompanied by the deities Rukmini, Balarama, Satyaki, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha. The processional god Parthasarathy’s visage is covered in wounds allegedly caused by Bheeshma’s arrows during the epic battle of Mahabharata.

• There are many mythological tales involved with Parthasarathy Temple, which is also one of the oldest temples in Chennai.
• As per legend, the temple is closely related to the epic, Mahabharata.
• In Mahabharata, Arjuna, the Pandava prince, needed a charioteer, and Krishna filled that role. Additionally, in the persona of Parthasarathy, he bestowed upon humanity the “Bhagavad Gita,” a priceless work of wisdom.
• King Sumati was brought here by the wise man Veda Vyasa with an idol of Parthasarathy in order to worship Krishna as Parthasarathy.
• The king arrived at this location and discovered the wise Atreya performing penance for the same reason. It is believed that they devotedly constructed the shrine for Parthasarathy.
• Another legend goes, the Panchaveeras, the five warriors Venkatakrishna or Parthasarathy, brother Balarama, cousin Satyaki, son Pradyumna, and grandson Aniruddha, as well as Goddess Rukmini, were worshipped here by the Saptarshis, the seven popular sages.

Visiting Hours: 5:50 AM to 12:30 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM.

Location: Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005

The nearest bus stop to get into the temple is the Vivekanandar Illam or Triplicane bus stand, which is connected to other parts of Chennai by a network of buses.

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Ashtalakshmi Temple, Elliot’s Beach

A colossal structure by the shore of Bay of Bengal beside the famous Elliot’s beach, Ashtalakshmi Temple is one of the popular temples in Chennai. This extraordinary religious tourist place is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi and her eight manifestations, each of which stands for success, procreation, money, courage, bravery, food, and knowledge. This temple in Chennai has four storeys, amazing constructions, pillars, and an elaborate roof design, making it one of the most beautifully crafted temples in the city.

Goddess Mahalakshmi and Maha Vishnu have shrines on the second floor, while Aadilakshmi, Dharyalakshmi, and Dhanyalakshmi are located on the first floor. Santha Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, and Gajalakshmi are worshipped on the third floor, while Dhanalakshmi is honoured on the fourth floor.

The length of the temple is 65ft whereas the breadth is 45ft. The Sundararaja Perumal Temple at Uthiramerur served as the inspiration for the shrine’s architecture. The temple’s construction in the form of Om, the original Vedic mantra, is one of its unique aspects. The temple’s walls are covered in intricate rock carvings, and the vibrant colour scheme reflects a variety of architectural styles, many of which were added following recent repairs. The temple also has 32 kalasams, which are pointed ornaments typically found on temple tower tops.

• Goddess Lakshmi is said to have emerged from the ocean when the Devas and Asuras were churning the Milky Ocean for Amrita, according to the Vedas and Puranas.
• Mahavishnu and Goddess Lakshmi got married to each other.
• The deity that bestows Ashtama Siddhi (eightfold successes) and Ashta Aishwaryam is Goddess Ashtalakshmi (eightfold wealth).
• The temple is known as the Ashtalakshmi Temple since it is home to both Mahavishnu and Mahalakshmi in all eight of her manifestations.

Visiting Hours: 6:30 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM.

Location: Elliots beach, 6/21 Paindi Amman Kovil, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090

The temple is around 10 kilometres from central Chennai where you can reach by taking a private cab or taxi.

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Sri Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur

Marundeeswarar Temple in Thiruvanmiyur is one of the top 10 temples in Chennai that deserves a second visit. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who appears here as Marundeeswar or Aushadeeswarar, referred to as the ‘God of Medicine.’ The largest temple in Chennai, Marundeeswarar Temple covers an area of one-acre land and is considered one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. The magnificent architectural beauty of the temple is a sight to behold which features Dravidian architecture with a blend of Chola art and Pallava Dynasty.

The temple was extensively glorified in the seventh and eighth centuries by Nayanars (Saivite Saints), Tirugnana Sambandar, and Appar. The Chola Kingdom enlarged the temple in the eleventh century. Furthermore, due to its name, the Marundeeswarar Temple has long been a popular destination for worship, particularly among those who are ill or have other health issues. The food served here, known as prasadam, is a concoction of holy ash, water, and milk that is said to have healing properties.

The temple is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. It features two entrances, one in the west and the other is in the east side. The temple can be accessed from both the directions, from West Tank Street (three gates) and East Coast Road (one gate). Moreover, both of these entrances are showcased with 5-tiered gopuram. The Vimana, the tower that houses the presiding deity above the sanctum sanctorum, is unique to the Marundeeswarar Temple and has ancient Chaturvastam architecture. Additionally, it contains a five-tiered Rajagopuram where Pongal pudding is served to the Lord called Nivedhana. The temple also comes with stucco figures that adorn the gopurams and the pillars come with diverse images. There is a hall or mandapam, which has 36 carved pillars and it houses Lord Shiva in his ‘Somaskanda’ form.

• Marundhu in the Tamil language means ‘medicine’ and Eeaswara is known as God. This temple is the place where Lord Shiva taught the medicinal qualities to Sage Agastya. That’s why it is named Marundeeswarar Temple.
• Another legend goes, Sage Valmiki worshipped Lord Shiva to correct himself from his previous life as a robber. Lord Shiva appeared in front of him under the Vanni tree, which still exists in the temple.
• Panguni Brahmotsavam is held in the temple in which this above-mentioned event is made.

Visiting Hours: 5 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM.

Location: 8, W Tank St, Ambedkar Nagar, Lalitha Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600041

The temple is located in Thiruvanmiyur which is connected with other parts of the city via a well-connected network of buses.

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Kalikambal Temple, George Town

One of the must visit temples in Chennai, Kalikambal Temple is dedicated to another form of Parvati, Goddess Kamakshi and Lord Kamadeswarar. The temple was previously located close to the sea, later shifted to its present location during British rule in the 17th century. Apart from Goddess Kamakshi and Lord Kamadeswarar, Kalikambal Temple also houses several local deities and a shrine of Navagrahas (nine planets according to Hindu mythology) that attract a large number of people from all across Tamilnadu.

According to historical evidence, in the 1600s, the Marathi king Shivaji paid a visit to this temple. As per legend, the temple is believed to be built by the Viswakarma Clan. Daily poojas are performed in the temple four times which are attended by the locals and tourists, both. Moreover, in April or Vaisakhi according to the Tamil calendar and during the festivals of Navratri and Vasant Navratri, the temple witnesses a large number of devotees.

Architecture of the temple: The sacred water of the temple is seawater whereas its sacred tree is the mango tree. It was shifted to its current location in March, 1640 CE and last renovations were done in 2014. The temple has a 10-metre-high tower, which is also referred to as rajagopuram. The tower was added in the 1980s. Apart from the main deity, Kalikambal Temple houses the shrines of Shiddi Vinayakar, Shiddi-Bhuddi Vinayakar, Mahakali,  Agora Veerabadhra and many more.

• Kalikambal Temple was previously built in the place of Fort St. George. Later, it was shifted to its current location as the Britishers started building the fort. That’s why the deity in the temple is also known as Kottaiamman where Kottai refers to ‘fort’.
• As the legend goes, it was believed that the deity was once in a fierce form, but later she changed into a soft Goddess.
• The main deity faces towards the west and as per legend, it is because she was worshipped by demi gods and saints.

Visiting Hours: 6 AM to 12 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM.

Location: 212, Thambu Chetty St, near DHL Express Courier, Mannady, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001

The temple is located in George Town, one of the prominent financial streets in Chennai. The place is well-connected with other parts of the city via a network of buses, cabs and taxis.

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Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple, Besant Nagar

The Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple, one of the popular Hindu temples, which is dedicated to Lord Muruga, is situated at Kalakshetra Colony in Besant Nagar, Chennai. Dr. Alagappa Alagappan once visited the sage Kanchi Paramacharya while he was camping in Gulbarga. He questioned the scholar as to whether one granite temple could contain all six of God Muruga’s abodes. The elder asked him to construct the temple and secured an acre of land in Chennai’s Besant Nagar neighbourhood near the water. The main reason for the construction of this granite temple complex in Chennai was to provide worshippers with a place to worship all six Murugas.

Festivals like Thai Poosam, Skanda Shashti, Panguni Uthiram and Aadi Kirthikai are celebrated in the temple in a great manner. Moreover, on requests of devotees, Rudra Homam, Skanda Homam and Ganpathi Homam are regularly conducted.

The temple has its Raja Gopuram in the western side, which is its uniqueness in architecture, as in Tamil Nadu, Raja Gopuram sits in the eastern side of the temples. Mela Gopuram in Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple has nine storeys and it is located above Yalimattam. Mela Gopuram measures 137 feet in height, 90 feet in length (north to south) and 65 feet in breadth (east to west). The Temple Gopuram is 49 feet long and 20 feet wide at its highest point. There are nine Kalasams (holy copper pots), which provide as a visual cue that the Gopuram has nine floors.

As per Hindu mythological stories, after winning the battle with Surapadma (asura), Lord Murugan worshipped Lord Shiva in the place of the temple.

Visiting Hours: 7 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 8:30 PM.

Location: 1, Thirumurugan St, Kalakshetra Colony, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090

The temple is hardly one kilometre from Besant Nagar Bus Stand where you can reach by taking a bus or cab from anywhere in Chennai.

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Chennakesava Perumal Temple, George Town

The must visit place in Chennai during your Chennai pilgrimage tour is Chennakesava Perumal Temple. One of the oldest temples in Chennai, this temple was the first temple constructed nearby in the 1700s and acted as a wall dividing the town’s core from the British East India Company settlement of Fort St. George. The building houses a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s incarnation Chennakesava Perumal.

Three daily poojas are performed in the temple: one in the morning for Kaalasandhi, one in the afternoon for Uchikkala, and one in the evening for Saayaraksha.

The sanctum sanctorum, an ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam are featured in the temple. In the mukha mandapam, there are alwars. On the sanctum sanctorum is a Nagara Vimanam with three tiers. The ceilings of Mandapas have intricately carved reliefs of birds and other animals. Bas-reliefs on the Mandapa Pillars include Thayar Sengamalavalli, Krishna Leela, Donors, Flower Creepers, Lotus Medallions, and others. Both Sri Chenna Malleeswarar Temple and Sri Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple share the temple tank and the chariot. Additionally, there is a connecting corridor between these two twin temples.

• The twin temples, Chennakesava Perumal and Chenna Malleeswarar Temple, both were originally built in the place of the High Court building.
• Both the temples were destroyed by the British to expand Fort St. George.
• Due to public outcry, the British Government then gave some lands and money to Manali Muthu krishna Mudaliar, who built the new twin temples.
• The other temple, Chenna Malleeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Visiting Hours: 5 AM to 8 AM.

Location: 37QJ+963, Devaraja Mudali St, Rattan Bazaar, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003

The temple is located in Chennai’s one of the famous locations, George Town, which is well-connected with other parts of the city by all means of transportation.

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Sree Ayyappan-Guruvayurappan Temple, Nungambakkam

One of the most visited temples in Chennai is the first of its sort in the city and is devoted to Ayyappan, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and the Hindu god of growth. The temple was built in 1974 as a result of the demand created by the devotion of individuals who travelled to Sabarimala during the Mandalam and Makaravilakku seasons to perform the ritual of Ayyappan Vilakku. Now, worshippers come in droves to this temple to adore Lord Ayyappan, particularly those travelling to Sabarimala in Kerala on a pilgrimage. The temple also organises the annual event of Bhagavatha Sapthaham, which draws a large number of worshippers, as well as daily Annadanam for the poor and needy. All year long, a ceremony of some kind takes place on the temple grounds alongside the daily poojas.

The temple has two buildings beside each other and made of Kerala style in the heart of the city. It houses both Ayyappa Swamy and Guruvayurappan as the main deities.

• The temple was built in the 1970s and it features Kerala style.

Visiting Hours: 5 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 9 PM.

Location: 18, Madhavan Nair Rd, Mahalingapuram, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034

The temple is connected with other parts of Chennai by a network of buses, trains and metro rail. The Blue Line metro line connects it to different areas.

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Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Vadapalani

One of the prominent religious places in Chennai, this temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is an important place in respect to religious tourism in Tamil Nadu as the temple witnesses major footfall throughout the year. The temple is renowned among devotees for providing solutions to marital, academic and career issues. Devotees believe that seeking blessings from Lord Murugan here helped them overcome their situations and find serenity in their lives. Moreover, worshipping here is regarded as worshipping in the ancient Palani Temple. Even if one cannot visit Lord Murugan in Palani Temple, he still grants them blessings if they visit Vadapalani Murugan Temple.

The Vadapalani Temple, which houses temples to Lord Ganesha, Goddess Meenakshi Amman, Lord Shiva, Goddess Kali, Lord Bhairava, Chokkanadar, Dakshniamurti, Chandikeswara, and Mahalakshmi, exemplifies the grandeur culture of the Hindus. At the southern or main entrance, to the left, Lord Ganesha is represented by Varasidhi Vinayagar. It also houses a shrine dedicated to the planet Mars, indicating that Lord Muruga is Mars’ god. The shrine of Lord Shanmuga with Goddess Valli and Devyani adds to the allure of the holy complex. Additionally, visitors pray to Lord Hanuman, whose likeness is engraved on a pillar. There are 108 bharatnatyam dance gestures found on the eastern tower, which measures 40 metres in height. There is a tank in front of the temple. While entering through the eastern tower, people can see Dwajasthambam or kodi maram, which is the gold plated flagpole of the temple.

• The temple is situated at the place where Annaswamy Naikar worshipped Lord Murugan.
• He went to worship Lord Murugan at Palani, which is considered one of the six abodes of Murugan.
• While returning back, he found a striking image of God and started worshipping him at the exact place where this wonderful temple is located.

Location: Palani Andavar Koil St, Vadapalani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600026

Chennai Railway Station and airport is hardly 30 minutes away from this temple. And, it is connected with all parts of the city by several bus routes.

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Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu

One of the famous Lord Shiva temples of Chennai, the historical Vedapureeswarar Temple, seems to be older than 1300 years. It is located on the bank of Paalaru River in Thiruverkadu. According to the architecture of this temple, it is suggested to be constructed during the Chola era. Vada Vedaranyam is the place’s ancient name. Since this temple houses Lord Shiva in his wedding form, worshipping him is thought to help lovers overcome impediments to marriage. In this temple, devotees love to celebrate their 81st birthday or “Sadabhishekam ”. In addition to the shrines dedicated to Lord Vedapureeswarar and Goddess Balambikai, there are also shrines and statues dedicated to the gods Varasidhi Vinayakar, Nagarajar (Adiseshan), Murugan, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Nalvar, 63 Nayanmars, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Sekkizhar and many more.

The sanctum sanctorum’s vimana (roof tower) is constructed in a distinctive architectural style known as the Gaja Brishtam. The vimanam appears to resemble an elephant’s back as a result (Gaja – elephant, brishtam – rear). Tamilians refer to this as “Thoonganai Maadam” (thoong(um) = sleeping, aanai = elephant, and maadam = top of a temple). It is crucial to notice that the Navagraham is in the shape of an octagon and is situated on “Padma Pedam” at this temple. This temple is renowned for being a Navagraha dosham parihara sthalam.

• This is one of the temples where Sage Agasthiar is said to have received the blessing of seeing the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. A relief in the sanctum sanctorum shows the lord and goddess in their wedding pose, behind the main deity.
• The four Vedas are said to have worshipped the Lord here in the shape of Vela trees (Acacia Nilotica). As a result, this location is known as “Vel Kadu” (kadu means forest in Tamil). Later, over time, the fortunate prefix “Thiru” was added, and the location is now known as Thiruverkadu.
• Lord Murugan worshipped Lord Shiva and built the “Velayutha Theertham” (sacred holy water tank) at this temple. Within the grounds of the temple complex, this magnificent tank is still visible.
• Lord Murugan is present here with a Shivalingam in front of him.

Visiting Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM.

Location: 34C7+JWP, Karpagambal Nagar, Tiruvallur District, Thiruverkadu, Tamil Nadu 600077

The nearest bus stop to this temple is Sivan Kovil, which is connected to major parts of Chennai through a well-connected network of bus services.

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Ekambaranathar Temple, Kanchipuram

One of the best places to visit on your Chennai temple tour is Ekambaranathar Temple, which is referred to as the largest temple in Kanchipuram. Covering an area of 20 acres, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was originally built  by the Pallavas but renovated by Cholas and Rayas. Ekambaranathar Temple houses 1,000 lingas and the main feature of them is that they are made out of one solitary stone. There are also 1,000 pillared halls in the temple. Another interesting fact about the temple, which is also one of the biggest temples in Chennai is there is a mango tree in the courtyard which is believed to be older than 3,500 years. The tree is found with four limbs that symbolise four vedas in Hindu mythology. People say that fruit from each limb tastes different although they are from the same tree.

The temple was built by Vijayanagara Kings and it covers an area of 23 acres. Ekambaranathar Temple features Rajagopuram at its entrance that measures 195 feet in height. The Rajagopuram is considered one of the tallest towers in South India. There are two halls in the temple, Vahana mandapam: vehicle hall and Sarabesa mandapam: Navaratri hall. There is another hall called Aayiram kaal mandapam, which has 1,000 pillars. In the courtyard, there is a pond and a Ganesh temple. In the sanctum sanctorum, the Shivalinga is showcased.

• The temple has the tallest tower and it is one of the biggest temples in Kanchipuram.
• The temple is believed to have existed since 600 AD.
• The Pallavas first built the temple and later, it was rebuilt by the Chola Kings.
• Later, Adi Sankaracharya expanded the temple with the help of the rulers of the place.
• As the legend goes, a Shivalinga was erected by Parvati beneath the mango tree. While she started worshipping it, the neighbouring Vegavathi River began to flood, endangering the Shivalinga by submerging it.
• When Parvati became aware of this, she embraced the Shivalinga, and her touch caused Shiva to physically appear before her and marry her.
• Shiva is known in Tamil as Tazhuva Kuzhainthaar, which translates to “He who melted in her embrace.”

Visiting Hours: 6 AM to 12:30 PM and 4 PM to 8:30 PM.

Location: Ambiga Adeeswar temple, Kilambi, Tamil Nadu 631502

Old Kanchipuram Railway Station is at 16-minute-walking distance from the temple and you can also reach here by availing a bus or cab from any part of the city.

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Karaneeswarar Temple, Saidapet

Lord Shiva is the main deity of the historic Karaneeswarar Temple in Saidapet area, which is one of the beautiful temples in Chennai. You will find a rank while visiting the temple. The rank is known as Gopathi Saras and it is believed to possess some mystical healing properties. People say if you dip into its waters on a full moon night, you will be cured. Lord Ganesha, Lord Karthikeya, Lord Surya, and Goddess Swarnambika all have shrines in the temple, but Lord Karaneeswarar is the primary one. Inside the temple, there is a garden as well. The yearly Chithirai Thiruvizha festival, the Pradosham days, and the ten-day Brahmotsavam, which is followed by daily preaching, all the festivals attract flocks of devotees and tourists to the temple. Additionally, Shivratri is also celebrated here in a grand manner.

The gopuram in the Karaneeswarar Temple has seven storeys. The gopuram comes with two prakarams which are the closed precincts of a temple. It houses a beautiful tank, idols of deities and a garden as well. The garden is also called nandavanam.

Special Things You Need to Know About the Temple

• As the legend goes, Lord Indra once gave his divine cow ‘kamdhenu’ to Sage Vashishtha.
• When the cow was not returned after so many days, Lord Indra got worried. He got to know that kamdhenu became an ordinary cow after being cursed by the sage.
• As a solution, he had to make a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva between Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur in the northwestern direction, the Holy Cow Kamadhenu can be redeemed.
• He then commands the clouds (Kar) to shower and cool the region, resulting in the creation of a beautiful, lush pasture. He builds a Linga and prays to Lord Shiva, who blesses Lord Indra by elevating him to the rank of Gopathi and redeems the sacred cow ( Lord of Cows).
• The Gopathi Saras is the name of the tank that Indra built. People who take a ritual bath on full moon days, it is stated that they get cured from their illness.

Visiting Hours: 6 AM to 11 AM and 4 PM to 9 PM.

Location: 1, Karaneeswarar Koil St, Suriyammapet, Saidapet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600015

Metro, rail and bus services are available between Saidapet, where the temple is located and various parts of the city. The nearest bus stop is G.H. Secondary School, at seven-minute-walking distance from the temple.

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So, these are the list of 12 must-visit temples in Chennai which you must add to your itinerary while visiting the city. Chennai is filled up with so many spiritual & religious places that attract throngs of tourists from all across the globe every year. The ‘Religious Tourism Package’ of Chennai on our website could provide you with more details of these places. If you think we have missed out the names of any popular temples that should be added to the list, please write down the names below in the comments. We will work on your suggestions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are chennai temples famous.

The temples in Chennai are the sources of architectural beauty, mesmerising artworks, historical stories and a pure form of serenity. The deities found in the temples are related to different religions and mythological tales that attract religious enthusiasts and people who love to explore architecture.

Is there any dress code to visit the Chennai temples?

According to an order given by Madras High Court in March, 2022, devotees are expected to wear proper attire to enter temples in Chennai, as well as Tamil Nadu. Men should be wearing kurta-pyjama, dhoti and women should wear saree, half saree, salwar kameez.

Are foreign or western tourists allowed entry in Chennai temples?

Hindu tourists from all across the world are allowed to enter Chennai temples.

Which are the most famous temples in Chennai?

Some of the famous temples in Chennai are:

• Kapaleeswarar Temple
• Parthasarathy Temple
• Ashtalakshmi Temple
• Sri Marundeeswarar Temple
• Kalikambal Temple
• Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple
• Chennakesava Perumal Temple
• Sree Ayyappan-Guruvayurappan Temple
• Vadapalani Murugan Temple
• Vedapureeswarar Temple
• Ekambaranathar Temple
• Karaneeswarar Temple

Which are the must visit popular Shiva temples in Chennai?

The popular Shiva temples in Chennai are:

• Marundeeswarar Temple
• Thyagaraja Swamy Temple

Published: 05 Dec, 2022

About the author

Nandini Bhattacharya

From the ‘City of Joy,’ Kolkata, Nandini Bhattacharya is a Travel Writer by profession and traveller by passion. She loves to explore places around the world, new cultures, different cuisines and all new things that one can learn outside the home. She also loves to document her journey so that people can be inspired and travel more. Nandini is a nature lover and talks about sustainable tourism. She wants to make this world a good place where people can live healthy and happily.

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Top 10 Most Famous Temples In Chennai

Chennai, formerly known as Madras is the capital city of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu is also a centre of temples for various faiths. Built-in the unique South Indian architectural styles, these temples are a symbol of spirituality, culture, art and tradition.

The never-ending shores of Marina, bustling streets of T. Nagar, peaceful stroll in ECR, sparkling classic shopping malls, spicy hot street stalls, and not to miss the ancient spiritual abodes, is what defines Chennai; the capital of Tamilnadu. Modernisation can change many things but be it any era the spiritual thirst of Tamil people will never be replaced.  The crowded walls of Chennai temples will authenticate this fact. This capital town is dotted with surplus temples dedicated to all Hindu gods, including Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Sakthi, Murugan, Vinayaka, Guberar, Lakshmi and many more. Following are the top ten most popular temples to visit in Chennai.

Kapaleeswarar Temple:

Chennai’s renowned and cherished Kapaleeswarar temple is the chief landmark of Mylapore and one of the popular and prominent temples in Chennai. The prime idol is the Lord Siva in the form of Lingam.

Built-in 7th century by the Pallavas, this serene temple is said to be one of the oldest temples in Tamilnadu. This temple is mostly buzzed with devotees on Mondays and Fridays. The dazzling 12 days celebration of Bhramotsavam during the month of March is a splendour sight to see.

Temple Timings: The temple is open from 5 am to 12 Noon and 5 pm to 9 pm.

Nearby Tourist Attraction: Nearby Kapaleeswarar temple there are surplus places to visit some of them are as follows Gaudiya mutt, Shridi Sai baba temple, Express avenue mall, Parthasarathy temple and Marina beach.

Parthasarathy Temple:

Dedicated to Lord Venkat Krishna, the Parthasarathy temple located at Triplicane is one of the most famous and ancient temples in Chennai.

The splendid feature of the temple is the colourful Gopuram, which entices everyone. This temple has been mentioned in the ancient Tamil scripts of Alvars. Apart from this, the temple houses separate shrines for Lord Narasimha, Lord Rama and Varaha. Every Fridays and Saturdays are crowded as those days are very auspicious to Lord Venkata Krishna.

Temple Timings: The temple is open for Dharshan from 6 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm.

Nearby Places To Visit: Parthasarathy temple is located at the heart of the city and so there are surplus options to do after your darshan. The place to see around the Parthasarathy temple are Marina beach , T Nagar, Kapaleeswarar temple , Shridi sai baba temple, Vivekanadha house, Express Avenue mall, Rama Krishna temple and lot more.

Ashthalakshmi Temple:

The Ashtalakshmi Temple located near the Elliot beach in Chennai is one of the most beautiful temples in Chennai and the ancient temple which is one of its kind as it houses all the eight forms of Lakshmi under one roof.

The colossal effigy of Lord Vishnu inside the main sanctum is a great sight to behold. The architecture of this temple attracts every beholder as it is very unique and can’t be seen anywhere else. Located beside the shore of Besant Nagar beach, Ashtakshmi temple comprises of four floors reach out by steep staircase.

Temple Timings: The temple is open for the devotees from 6.30 am to 12 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm.

Nearby Tourist Places: Nearby tourist attraction to Ashatakshmi temple is Kalakshetra dance academy , Besant Nagar beach, Gandhi statue, Marudeeswarar temple, Arupadai Murugan Veedu temple, Elliot’s beach, Ramakrishna temple, and the Anna centenary library.

Kalikambal Temple:

Dedicated to Shri Kaligambal and Lord Kamadeswarar, The Kalikambal Temple in Chennai is one of the oldest temples in Tamilnadu, built-in 1640 AD. Located in Thambu Chetty Street, a prominent financial street at Georgetown, running parallel to Rajaji Salai.

Though the temple had faced demolition during the invasion of the Portuguese, it has been restored later and still it holds its grace and sacredness. The idol of the Goddess Kalikambal is very sublime and glows in her peaceful charm.

Temple Timings: The temple is open from 6 a.m. to 12 Noon and from 4.30 or 5 p.m to 9 p.m.

Nearby Tourist Attraction Places: Padi Sivan temple, Shri Ayyappan temple, Viswaroopa Adhivyadhihara Sri Bhaktha Anjaneyaswami Temple, Vada Palani Murugan temple , Thiru Vidanthai temple and Madras War cemetery.

Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple:

Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple situated in Besant Nagar is one of the popular temples in Chennai which is dedicated to Lord Murga. The speciality of this temples is that it houses all the Six army camps of Lord Muruga under one roof.

There are separate shrines inside this temple for all the six Lord Murga such as Palani Dhandayuthpani, Thiruthani Murugan, Thiruparankundram Murugan, Palamuthircholai Murugan, Thiruchendoor Subramaniyan, Swami Malai Murugan. People from neighbouring places take Kavadi on the eve of New Year and Thai Poosam. The architecture of this temple is noteworthy and it is well maintained with neat corridors for the devotees to rest a while.

Temple Timings: The temple is open for the public from 7 am to 11 pm and from 5 pm to 8.30 pm

Nearby Tourist Attraction Places:

As this temple is very near to Besant Nagar beach, you can take a lovely stroll on the beach along with your visit to this temple. Pamban Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple is located at a distance of about 1.5 kms from this temple and the famous Ashtalakshmi temple is also very nearer to this temple.  

Sri Marundeeswarar Temple :

Marundeeswarar temple at Thrivanmaiyur in Chennai is the largest temple in Chennai one of the 275  Paadal Petra Sthalams , sprawling across an area of one-acre land. The architectural beauty of this temple is peerless and demands a second visit. The Marundeeswarar temple has been a place of curative worship for people with diseases.

This temple is believed to have the partial feature of Pallava dynasty and partially with Chola art. This colossal temple is beautified with intricate carvings, immaculate paintings and ornate pillars. The five-tier Gopurams with impeccable effigies are a great sight to behold. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is fund crowded on the days of Brahmotsvam, Siva Rathiri,  Pradhosham and on all Mondays.

Temple Timings: The temple is open up for darshan from 5.30 am to 12 Noon and 4 pm to 10 pm 

Nearby Places To Visit: Places to see around Marudeeswarar temple are Sri Krishna Balarama temple, Ashtalakshmi temple, Besant Nagar beach, VGP universal kingdom, Rukmini Devi museum, VGP golden beach and lot more.

Sree Ayappan-Guruvayurappan Temple

Sree Ayappan-Guruvayurappan Temple in Mahalingapuram is the first-ever Ayyappan temple at Chennai. Located in Nungambakkam, this scenic temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappan and it also has separate shrines for Lord Muruga and Lord Vinayaka.

This beautiful temple is built in the blend of Tamil and Kerala style. The Poojas and rituals are done as per the Kerala tradition, the Morning and evening poojas are considered to be very auspicious here. During the month of Karthigai i.e November to December, this temple is fully crowded with Ayyappan pilgrims.

Temple Timings: The temple follows the Kerala style of pooja procedures and it is open for darshan from 4 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8.30 pm.

Nearby Places To Visit: There are many places to visit near this temple including Semmozhi Park , Mahalingeshwarar temple, Jeeva park, and Panangal park

Vadapalani Murugan Temple:

Vadapalani Andavar Temple or Vada Palani Murugan Temple dedicated to Lord Muruga is the trademark signature spots of Chennai city and is also enriched with people’s faiths from all over the country. The temple is believed to be that worshipping Lord Murugan here is as pious as praying to him at the original Palani temple. The Vadapalani Murugan Temple has a rich history and an ornate architecture.

Lord Muruga here graces in the standing posture. The most amazing fact of this temples of is that eastern tower of the temple is 40 m high which bears the carving of all the 108 Mudras of Bharathanatiyam . And the upper ceiling of the temple pavilion has images depiction the incidents from Skanda Puranam .

Temple Timings: The temple is open from 5 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9pm.

Nearby Tourist Places: Tourist attraction places near Vada Palani Murugan temple are Angallam temple, Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple, the forum mall, olive Ayurvedic centre, MA Chidambaram Stadium, and Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappa Temple.

Sai Baba Temple, Ambattur:

There are more than ten temples dedicated to Shridi Saibaba at Chennai. Among all. this temple is very special as it is believed that Shridi Sai Baba appeared Himself before Santhana Devakumar and ordered him to raise this temple. It took 3 years to finish this temple.

Ambattur Sai Baba Temple is one of the famous and prominent temples in Chennai. At the entrance, there is a 9 feet high idol of Baba in the standing position. Every Thursday there would be Annadhanam(A sacred offering of food) and special poojas for Baba. People from all around Chennai throng here on Thursdays.

Temple Timings: The temple is open from 6 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm.

Places to visit nearby: Ambattur is an important landmark at Chennai, there are places like Chinna Thirupathy Aalayam, Guruvayur Krishna Temple, and Ambattur lake to visit nearby.

Vedapureeswarar temple, Thiruverkadu:

Thiruverkadu Vedapureeswarar Temple is one of the prominent temples in Chennai, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 23rd Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu . The idol of the presiding deity here is the Swayambu Lingam.

Yet another special feature at this temple is the architectural style of the Vimana atop the Sanctorum. It is built in the unique Gaja Brishtam style. This temple is believed to be 1300 years old and is praised greatly by the eminent poet Thirugnanasambanthar . And also this is the birthplace of Saint Moorka Nayanar , one of the 63 Nayanmars . The Brahmotsavam festival celebrated during the day of the Magam (February – March) is the most major festival in this temple.

Temple Timings: The temple is open from 5 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm

Nearby Tourist Places: Cholamandalam Artist Village , Vishwaroopa Adhivyadhihara Anjaneyar Temple, Rajiv Gandhi memorial and Padi Sivan Temple.

Set your foot in the divine sands of Chennai and start your voyage into the faith, antique ritual and varied history. These temples are the begetters of classic dance, mind-blowing music, folktales, par fewer poems and whatnot. There are about one lakh temples housed in Tamil Nadu which is unique in their own way. First, make a visit to these top 10 most famous temples in Chennai and continue your journey to the next.

So, which one of these famous temples in Chennai you are going to visit on your trip to Chennai . Take your pick and also check out our temple tour packages  and customized tour packages options given by Tamilnadu Tourism. 

If you know, any more famous and must-visit temples one can visit in Chennai, tell us in the comments below.

visit:  www.tamilnadutourism.com

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Here is the list of some famous temples in Chennai:

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Kapaleeswarar Temple

Best of Goa

Parthasarathy Temple

Best of Bangalore

Parrys Jain Temple

Best of Ooty

Ekambareswarar Temple

Best of Alleppey

Vadapalani Andavar Temple

Best of Pondicherry

Kandhakottam Temple

Best of Kodaikanal

Kalikambal Temple

Best of Kovalam

Ashtalakshmi Temple

Best of Gokarna

Adeeswar Temple

Best of Mahabalipuram

Mahalingapuram Ayyappan Temple

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Temple

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

ISKCON Temple

Karaneeswarar Temple

Madhya Kailash Temple

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Santhome Church is a standing testament to the belief of the Christian followers and is among the three wonders of this world that house the tombs of Christ’s original disciple. The other two are Santiago de Compostela in Spain and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It was constructed in the memory of Saint Thomas who was an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Santhome Church is the greatest symbol of multi-culture and religious harmony as people from all religions visit this Church to seek solace and eternal peace.This church was built initially as a mausoleum, but it has now transversed into a Basilica owing to it’s gaining popularity and importance. Beneath the towering white embodiment of this basilica lies the body of Saint Thomas who came to India in 52 AD to preach about Christianity. He was successful in converting a large population of the locals residing in Tamil Nadu and Kerala with his wisdom and powerful preaching. He thereafter formed a community that is now known as Syrian Christians. This church also houses a museum that displays souvenirs of Saint Thomas and gives visitors an insight into the glorious past of this church during the historical times.

Located on the East Coast Road in the Sholinganallur locality of South-Chennai, ISKCON Temple is the spiritual and cultural hub of the city. This temple in Chennai is not only the biggest Radha Krishna temple in Tamilnadu but one of the biggest ISKCON temples in India. With the history of the ISKCON temple in Chennai dating back to the late 1970s, the construction of the temple began in the late 1990s and was completed in 2012 in many phases. The temple houses the deity of Lord Krishna, alongside Radharani and their friends Lalita, Lord Chaitanya, Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra inside three teak-wood alters which are one of a kind. These deities are sourced from Rajasthan and Orissa. Under the guidance of Sri Bhanu Swami, the beautiful architecture is inspired by the Kalinga and Pallava kingdoms’ architecture. At the entrance of the temple, one would see the wonderful design of various Hindu universes on the marble flooring. The various universes are circled a central pillar called Mount Meru. The design is implicated from the ancient Vedic Puranas where Mount Meru is described as the centre of all the universes. The temple is a blend of various cultures with modern scientific technology. To attract more and more people in the ISKCON movement, the authorities of the temples organize lectures and audio-visual programs about the Hindu philosophy. Spread over an area of 1.5 acres, the ISKCON temple or the Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple is built on five floors.

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10 Most Famous Temples in Chennai

Chennai may be known as the capital of Tamil Nadu and one of the metropolitan cities but it is also one of the few cities that still have its traditional aspect intact. Chennai is a popular tourist destination and its beaches are famous all over the world. But there is another aspect of Chennai that is noteworthy. It is also home to some of the most beautiful temples in the country and some of these temples are centuries old. With their unique Dravidian style architectures and association with legends and mythology, the temples of Chennai are worth a visit. No wonder, Chennai is known as the cultural capital of the country . A visit to these temples and you will know why Chennai is called so. Here are the 10 most famous and most visited temples in Chennai .

1. The Parthasarathy Temple

Located at Triplicane in Chennai, the Parthasarathy temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is one of the oldest temples in Tamil Nadu. It was built in the 8th century and finds mention in the ancient texts of Alvar saints. Within the temple, there are smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Narasimha, Lord Rama and Varaha.

2. Kapaleeshwar Temple

Situated in Mylapore in Chennai, the Kapaleeshwar   temple is also one of the oldest temples in the state, as it is believed to have been built in the 7th century during the Pallava regime. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The temple is built in the typical Dravidian architecture style.

3. Navgraha Temple

Navgraha refers to nine planets, and it is believed that each human being is related to one of the planets, hence the Navagraha temple has special significance for devotees. There are nine temples here each dedicated to each of the planets. The splendid architecture is the special attraction of the temple. The temple is also very old and it was built during the Chola period.

4. Ashthalakshmi Temple

It is one of the most popular temples in Chennai as there are eight Goddesses that are worshiped here. Located on the Besant Nagar beach, the Ashthalakshmi temple has four floors. The first floor has shrines dedicated to Goddess Dhaanyalkashmi, Dharyalakshmi and Aadilakshmi. The second floor has the shrines of Goddess Mahalakshmi and also her husband, Lord Vishnu. The third floor has idols of Goddess Gajalakshmi, Santhalakshmi and Vijayalakshmi. The temple is a must-visit while in Chennai .

5. Kalikambal Temple

Built in 1640 AD, the Kalikambal temple is dedicated to Goddess Kallikambal. The temple was ravaged during Portuguese invasion but later it was restored to its present glory. The idol today isn’t the original, one as the earlier idol was believed to represent the aggressive form of the Goddess, while the current one represents the peaceful form of the Goddess, also known as ‘ shanta swaroopa ’.

6. Marundeeswarar Temple

It is one of the largest temples in Chennai as it is spread over an acre of land. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Marundeeswarar temple has a splendid architecture. The two entrances to the temple are decorated with five levels of gopuram,  which is a beautiful sight. There are elaborate carvings on the ceiling and the temple has a serene ambiance. It has lot of open space and visitors should spend some time walking here and relaxing in the tranquil atmosphere. The temple is closed in the afternoon.

7. Adeeswar Temple

Located at a distance of 9 km from Chennai , Adeeswar temple is a Jain temple dedicated to Rishabhadev, who was the first Thirthankar. It is also one of the most popular temples in Chennai. It is also one of the oldest temples in the city as it was built sometime during the first century BC. It is also known as the Kesarwadi Jain Temple.

8. The Ayappa Temple

It is a beautiful temple and the first ever Ayyappa temple in Chennai located at Mahalingapuram. Though the principal deity is Lord Ayyappa, there are also shrines dedicated to Lord Vinayakar and Lord Subramaniam. The poojas are conducted as per Keralan tradition and the morning and evening poojas are the special time of the day. In the evening, deeparadhana (worship of diyas) is done, which is a special pooja during which the whole temple is filled with chants and prayers. It is a great experience that you must have at least once in your life.

9. Vadapalani Andavar Temple

Located in Vadapalani, Andavar temple is believed to have been built at least 125 years ago. Lord Murugan is the principal deity but many other gods too are worshipped in the temple. The sanctum has the idol of Lord Murugan in a standing position.  The gopuram above the entrance has images depicting incidents from Skanda Purana. Another attraction is the eastern tower which is very tall and at least more than 40 m high and it has images of 108 mudras of Bharat Natyam.

10. Madhya Kailash Temple

Madhya Kailash temple is located near the IIT campus and is dedicated to Venkata Ananda Vinayakar. There are also temples within dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya (Sun God). The unique feature of the temple is the idol itself, called as ‘ Adhiyantha Prabhu ‘, which has one part as Lord Ganesha and the other part as Lord Hanuman. The idol was so created after one of the temple officials saw such a form in his dream. Perhaps, it is the only temple in the world with such a unique idol.

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8 Of The Most Famous Temples Of Chennai That You Should Visit

Visit the divine roots of this modern city with the temples in Chennai.

The capital city of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is situated in the northeastern corner of the state, by the Bay of Bengal, and is dotted with a number of temples. The city, popularly known as Madras, is one of the oldest cities in south India. This metropolitan city has a rich heritage with an alluring historical background. You can witness this rich culture through the beautiful temples of the city, some of which were built thousands of years ago. Let’s take a look at the most famous temples of Chennai.

A Glimpse Into Tamilian Culture Through These Famous Temples Of Chennai

1. one of the most popular hindu temples in chennai: sri vadapalani andavar temple.

Located in the neighbourhood of Vadapalani, Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple is dedicated to Muruga or Kartikeya, the god of war, and son of Shiva and Parvati. The temple is considered an auspicious place to get married and witnesses approximately 7,000 marriages annually. Inside the temple, you’ll find an idol of Muruga in a standing posture, along with many deities like Shiva, Kali, and Bhairava among others. It is a known spot for devotees of Murugan in the city and is one of the most frequented temples in Chennai. The temple was founded by Annaswami Nayakar, a devout follower of Muruga and was later renovated in the 1920s.

Vadapalani Andavar Temple gained popularity because of Sthanikar Shri V.A. Sundaraa Gurukkal who took care of the temple from his early teens till his retirement in 1984. You’ll find the gates of the temple and towers covered in stucco art that depicts several legends from the ‘Skanda Purana’ that details Kartikeya’s life and 108 gestures from the classical dance form of Bharatnatyam. Visit the temple during Navratri, Brahmothsavam, Theppam Festival, Kalasanthi, Uchikalam, Sayaratcha and Arthajama.

2. One Of The Largest Temples In Chennai: Marundeeswarar Temple

Situated in the Thiruvanmiyur neighbourhood of Chennai, Marundeeswarar Temple is believed to have been built in the 11th century. It is spread over a sprawling one-acre piece of land and is one of the 275 paadal petra sthalams (the temples that were sung in the verses praising Shiva, by three Tamil poets known as Saiva Kuruvars). The temple’s name, Marundeeswarar translates to the ‘god of medicines’’ and is meant to describe Shiva, who is worshipped as a healer of disease. According to legend, Marundeeswarar taught the sage Agastya about medicinal herbs and plants after whom the temple was named. Therefore, the temple has been a place of curative worship for people with diseases.

Also, it is believed that the sage Valmiki (author of ‘Ramayana’) visited this temple to worship Shiva. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Ganesha, Shiva’s consort the goddess Thirupurasundari or Parvati, and Shiva’s various avatars. The inscriptions found here can be traced back to the Cholas of the 11th century. The Marundeeswarar Temple is one of the trinity of seashore temples of Tamil Nadu and one of the famous temples of Chennai. Don’t forget to see the intricate carvings, immaculate paintings, ornate pillars, and the five-tier gopurams with impeccable effigies. If you can, visit this ancient temple on the days of Brahmotsvam, Siva Rathiri, and Pradhosham to see the festivals celebrated with much pomp and joy, or on any Monday for grand pujas .

3. The Very First Ayyappan Construction In The City: Ayyappan Temple

Built-in 1974, the Mahalingapuram Ayyappan Temple was the first Ayyappan temple in Chennai. Located in Nungambakkam, this scenic temple was built under the guidance of Sri.N.Subramanian Stapathy and has become the ideal place of worship for several devotees. The temple is dedicated to Ayyappan and also has separate shrines for Muruga and Vinayaka. There was a need for the temple, thanks to the devotees who visited Sabarimala during the mandalam-makaravilakku seasons (which begins on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam) to conduct the ritual of ayyappan vilakku. Today, devotees flock to the Ayyappan Temple to worship Ayyappan, especially those on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala in Kerala.

The temple is built in the blend of Tamil and Kerala styles and also hosts daily annadanam (annam means food and danam means the act of giving or donating) for the poor and needy. The puja and rituals are done as per the Kerala tradition. Visit the temple during the annual ceremony of Bhagavatha Sapthaham, when the whole ‘Bhagavata’, one of Hinduism’s 18  great ‘Puranas’ is recited for seven days. It is believed that these seven days are a good occasion for listening to and understanding the ‘Bhagavata’. This auspicious occasion attracts many devotees to the temple.

4. A Temple That Houses All The Eight Forms Of Lakshmi: Ashtalakshmi Temple

Located around the shores of Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar, the Ashtalakshmi Temple is the only temple dedicated to Mahalakshmi, the consort of Narayanan (Mahavishnu), on the east coast of Tamil Nadu. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity Lakshmi and her eight forms. Laksmi is the deity who grants eightfold wealth (ashta iswaryam) namely offspring, success, prosperity, wealth, courage, bravery, food and knowledge.

The origins of the Ashtalakshmi Temple can be traced back to the 1970s, which is why the temple consolidates both Dravidian architecture and contemporary architecture. It has four floors where each of the Lakshmis is represented differently in their respective abodes. Considered one of the most beautiful temples in Chennai, it also houses a colossal effigy of Vishnu inside the main sanctum which is a great sight to behold. Visit during the festivals of Navratri, the annual Pavitra Ursavam, Pongal, Gokulastami, and the festival of Deepavali which are celebrated in all their glory on the temple premises.

5. The Chief Landmark Of Mylapore: Kapaleeswarar Temple

Situated in the southern part of Chennai in Mylapore, Kapaleeshwarar Temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas in the 7th century. The temple is dedicated to Shiva who is worshipped here as Arulmigu Kapleeshwar along with the goddess Karpagambal, a form of Shiva’s wife Parvati. Standing as an emblem of Dravidian architecture, this temple has a gopuram standing tall in the Mylapore streets, with a tank right behind it that hosts the annual theppam or float festival.

Originally, the temple was located very close to the seashore, where it is believed to have been destroyed by the Portuguese in the 1500s or by sea erosion. The present temple was built by Vijayanagara kings during the 16th century. One of Chennai’s most famous temples, the Kapaleeswarar temple also hosts the Arubathimooval festival, during which 63 saints of Shiva are honoured and a colourful procession passes through the streets of Mylapore. In the processions, 63 idols are carried around town and offerings of flowers and fruits are made to the idols. It is celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (between March and April) and the temple premises are crowded with visitors for the ten days.

6. One Of The Oldest Temples In Chennai: Parthasarathy Temple

This temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna and was built during the 8th century by Narasimhavarman I of the Pallava dynasty. Located in Triplicane, on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, the Parthasarathy Temple also houses the different avatars of Vishnu—Krishna, Narasimha, Rama and Varaha. The temple is known to be among the oldest temples in Chennai and it has been mentioned in the ancient Tamil scripts of ‘Alvars’. Along with the dappled sunlight making patterns inside and a colourful gopuram, the temple retains most of its ancient aura. You’ll also find a number of inscriptions, sculptures, and murals dedicated to the mythological Kurukshetra war.

Parathaswamy in Sanskrit translates to ‘the charioteer’ which refers to the role of Krishna as a charioteer and guide to Arjuna in the ‘Mahabharata’. The walls of this ancient temple in Chennai also have inscriptions about the Pallavas and Cholas, and sculptures and murals have been made in accordance with the Vaishnavite Hindu temples.

7. One Of The Two Shrines Dedicated To The Shirdi Sai Baba: Sai Baba Temple

Built-in 1952 in memory of Sai Baba of Shirdi, this temple comes under the Shirdi Charitable Trust Organisation. It is located in the Mylapore area of Chennai and was constructed in 1952 by Narasimha Swami, a devotee of Sai Baba and the founder of the All India Samaj. The temple houses the headquarters of an organisation founded decades ago, All India Sai. The temple is devoted to spreading the teachings of Sai Baba. Considered to be one of the most famous temples of Chennai, the Sai Baba Temple in Chennai is one of the two shrines dedicated to the Shirdi Sai Baba.

The temple has a pristine white idol of Sai Baba along with other deities and a tomb of Narasimha Swami. The temple was constructed using white marble and also has a burning flame which is worshipped by the devotees on Sundays during Agni Puja. The flame is believed to be a part of the original flame lit by Sai Baba in Shirdi. The temple is overly crowded on the festivals of Navratri, Guru Purnima, and Ram Navami, on the birth anniversary of the founder Narasimha, and on Thursdays.

8. One Of Chennai’s Most Famous Temples: Kalikambal Temple

Dedicated to Kalikambal (Kamakshi) and Kamadeswarar, the Kalikambal Temple was originally located near the sea, but later relocated to its current site in 1640 in Thambu Chetty Street. One of the oldest temples in Tamil Nadu, Kalikambal Temple is said to have been built by the Viswakarma clan and is closely associated with them even today. This ancient temple was also where the Maratha king Chatrapathi Shivaji worshipped Kalikambal when he visited Chennai on October 3, 1677. Today, it is one of the most famous temples of Chennai and remains very crowded during the month of Vaikasi (April) as per the Tamil calendar and the festivals of Navratri and Vasant Navratri.

Visit These Stunning Temples In Chennai

Don’t miss these beautiful ancient spiritual destinations in Chennai to see a side of the city’s cultural influences. These temples are not just places of worship but also a gateway to understanding the tradition and culture of the people of Chennai. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai also houses the UNESCO Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram. Take a trip to these famous temples in Chennai to understand the unique South Indian architectural styles they were built in. If you’ve already been to any one of these famous temples of Chennai, let us know which one was your favourite in the comments below.

Also Read: The Most Ornate Temples In Kanchipuram To Visit

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Beautiful Temples in Chennai You Must Visit

Chennai is dotted with a number of temples, some of which were built thousands of years ago. We take a look at some of the most beautiful temples you can’t miss while in the city. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

Kapaleeswarar temple.

According to history, it is believed that this temple was first located very close to the seashore, where it was either destroyed by Portuguese explorers or by sea erosion. The present temple, however, was built by Vijayanagar Kings during the 16th century. The front gopuram and the entire temple is an example of Dravidian architecture. Legend has it that Goddess Parvathi worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of a peacock in this temple. Another interesting fact is that Mylapore actually means the “land of peacocks” in Tamil. The temple also has a tank right behind it that hosts the annual theppam or float festival. Some of its most famous festivals, like panguni uthiram , bring in thousands of people from around the city.

Parthasarathy Temple

Dedicated to lord Vishnu, this temple in the heart of the city is believed to have been built during the 8th century by the Pallavas . With sunlight making patterns inside, the temple retains a majority of its ancient aura. The temple also has a number of inscriptions, sculptures, and murals dedicated to the mythological Kurukshetra war and has Lord Vishnu in three of his most iconic avatars: Narasimha, Rama, and Krishna . Parthasarathy means “Arjuna’s charioteer” in Sanskrit and the temple is located at Triplicane, AKA Thiruvallikeni, meaning “the tank with beautiful lilies” in Tamil.

Sri Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Mandir in Sowcarpet is indeed a beautiful place to be. Chennai does not have a long-standing history with Jainism and the temple is fairly new when compared to the other old Dravidian structures. With its white facade, intricately worked exteriors, and unique architecture, this temple stands out from the rest in its grandiose. Dedicated to the 8th Tirthankara, Sri Chandraprabhu Bhagwan , this temple’s architecture is greatly inspired from Rajasthan’s Dilwara temples .

Karaneeswarar Saidapet

With the main gopuram that’s seven stories high, Karaneeswarar temple in Saidapet is an old-world beauty. It also has a lovely looking temple tank, called Gopathi Saras. The temple has an interesting story behind it involving the holy cow Kamadhenu and the King of Gods, Lord Indra. Legend has it that Indra had to build a temple at this precise location to redeem his cow that was cursed into becoming a mortal by Sage Vashishta. Built in traditional Dravidian style, the temple has retained most of its old-world charm.

Marundheeswarar Temple

Spread over a sprawling one-acre land, Marundheeswarar temple in Thiruvanmiyur is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Marundheeswarar, meaning the “God of medicines” describes Lord Shiva, who is worshiped as a healer of diseases. The temple has a very ancient history and inscriptions found here seem to indicate that it could belong to the 11th century. The very old vanni tree ( Ghaf ) is said to be the place where Sage Valmiki did his penance to Lord Shiva. The temple also has a beautiful, big tank and is one of the Trinity sea shore temples of Tamil Nadu, the other two being Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore and Thyagarajaswamy temple in Thiruvottiyur .

Kandha Kottam

Dedicated to Lord Muruga, the Warrior God, this temple is located on one of the busiest streets of Chennai. Built only a few hundred years ago and covering a sprawling eight acres, this temple also has a beautiful tank known as “Saravanapoigai.” A truly beautiful temple in the city, it is said that the Lord Murugan idol in Kandha kottam was discovered by two devout merchants at Thiruporur.

Ekambareswarar Temple

Also located on one of the busiest streets in the city, this almost forgotten temple is a beauty in itself. Built a few hundred years ago by a merchant named Alanganatha Pillai, the temple also has a 300-year-old Ashvastha tree. The temple also houses a beautiful tank and the serenity of the temple can only be experienced in person. Lord Shiva here represents the element Earth and the entire temple has a number of sculptures and idols dedicated to different deities.

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5 Most Spectacular & Historic Temples In the City That Y'all Need To Visit

Temples are not just the places of worship but also reflect the rich culture and heritage of the city it is located in. A trip to Chennai is incomplete without visiting these stunning temples that reminds us of the colorful culture, don’t y’all agree?  Here’s a list of the most gorgeous and old temples in town that you must visit, so keep scrollin’ peeps!

1. Kapaleeshwarar Temple 

Picture Credits:  sarabusundeep111

Dedicated to Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar (a form of Lord Shiva) and Goddess Karpagambal (a form of Parvati), Kapaleeshwarar is one of the most popular Shiva temples in the city. Built by Pallavas in the 7th century, the marvelous architecture is inspired by the Dravidian style, featuring wood carvings, stone carvings, decorated pillars and Gopuram at the doorway. During major festivals like Panguni and Arubathimooval, this temple is swarmed with devotees throughout the day!

Where | Kapaleeshwarar Temple - Kesava Perumal Sannathi St, Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Mylapore  Timings | 6 AM - 1 PM & 4 - 8 PM  Call Them | +91 4424 641 670

2. Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple

Picture Credits:  phospheness

Situated by the Elliot Beach, Ashtalakshmi Temple is one of the most artistically designed temples with four floors, marvelous structures, pillars and intricate roof design. The uniqueness of the temple is that it is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi and her eight forms, each representing success, offspring, prosperity, wealth, courage, bravery, food and knowledge. The shrines of Adilakshmi, Dharyalakshmi and Dhanyalakshmi rests on first floor, while Goddess Mahalakshmi and Maha Vishnu on the second. Third floor houses Santha Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi and Gajalakshmi and Dhanalakshmi is worshipped on the fourth floor.

Where | Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple - Elliots Beach, 6/21 Paindi Amman Kovil, Besant Nagar  Timings | 6 AM - 12 Noon & 5 PM - 9 PM Call Them | +91 4024 030 888

3. Parthasarathy Temple

Picture Credits:  badpanu

Parthasarathy Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and it is the only temple in town, where different avatars of Lord Vishnu, namely, Krishna, Varaha, Rama and Narasimha are worshipped under one roof. The temple has separate entrances for the shrines of Lord Rama and Narsimha. Parthasarathy Temple has spectacular sculptures, inscriptions & murals dedicated to different events of the battle of Kurukshetra and is a sight to behold!

Where | Parthasarathy Temple - Peyalwar Koil St, Opposite Bharati Islam, Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane Timings | 6 AM - 12:30 PM & 4 - 9 PM 

4. Ekambareswarar Temple

Picture Credits:  pleasing_portraits

At Ekambareswarar Temple, Lord Shiva is worshipped with full grandeur and devotion, along with other Gods like Ganesha, Vishnu, Shakthi, Surya and Goddess Kamakshi. There is also a separate temple within the same complex that is dedicated to Navagraha - the nine planets. This temple was built in 1680 by Alanganatha Pillai- a worker under the British Raj and it is one of the most visited temples especially during festivals of Chithirai, Aadi, Margazhi and Panguni.

Where | Ekambareswarar Temple - Mini Street, Edapalaiyam, George Town  Timings | 6 AM - 12:30 PM & 4 - 8:30 PM

5. Shree Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Jain Mandir 

The Jain Temple is fairly new when compared to the other temples with Dravidian structures. The fine exteriors and unique architecture, this temple looks grand and glorious. Dedicated to the 8th Tirthankara, Sri Chandraprabhu Bhagwan, architecture is greatly inspired by Rajasthan’s Dilwara temples. Enhance your faith in the almighty and find your inner peace at this stunning temple!

Where | Shree Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Jain Mandir - 142, S Mint Street, George Town, Sowcarpet Timings | 5:45 - 11:45 AM Call Them | +91 4423 463 101

Drop by, sit back, take in the calmness and offer your prayers to the deity!

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9 Must-Visit Temples In The Beautiful City Of Chennai

Beyond its beaches, the city of Chennai is home to many other tourist attractions like these stunning temples.

Published On Nov 23, 2023 | Updated On Mar 08, 2024

Known for its cultural heritage, the city of Chennai is a tourist’s delight. From stunning beaches to architectural marvels, no matter what kind of traveller you are, Chennai will keep occupied. Drawing a large number of visitors for both their religious importance and architectural prowess, temples in Chennai are also places you can explore when visiting the city.

Standing as stunning examples of Dravidian architecture, these temples in Chennai not only are spiritual destinations but also hold deep significance historically.

Here are 9 temples in Chennai that deserve to be on your must-visit list

1. Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Set in Mylapore, this temple in Chennai is an ancient marvel that captivates with its Dravidian architecture built around the 7th century CE by the ruling Pallavas. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, here he is worshipped as Kapaleeshwarar, represented by a Lingam. According to the old scriptures Puranas, the goddess Uma worshipped lord Shiva in this temple in Chennai in the form of a peacock known as mayil in Tamil, who is worshipped as Karpagambal (goddess of the wish-yielding tree) here. The Arupatimuvar festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni as part of the Brahmotsava is the most prominent festival in this temple in Chennai.

2. Parthasarathy Temple

This temple in Chennai goes all the way back to Brahmanda Puranam. Attracting Vaishnavites from all across India, this temple is dedicated to five different avatars of Lord Vishnu- Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha and Krishna. There are multiple stories that revolve around this temple in Chennai, the famous one being that the Saptarishis,  the celestial sages used to worship the 5 deities here. The deity of Parthasarthy also has a legend of its own with roots in Mahabharata. The name comes from Partha- Another name for Arjuna and Sarthy meaning charioteer, hence Krishna since he was Arjuna’s charioteer in the great epic Mahabharata.

3. Kandaswamy Temple

Also known as Kalipatti, this temple in Chennai is dedicated to Lord Murugan, and is one of the richest temples in the district. It was built in the 18th century by Katteri Lakshmana Kavundar. The annual Panguni Uthiram festival here draws worshippers seeking blessings and spiritual rejuvenation all across India, also during the Thaipusam Festival in January, a cattle fair is held here.

4. Ashtalakshmi Temple

Lying on the shorelines of Elliot’s beach, the Ashtalakshmi temple in Chennai is dedicated to goddess Lakshmi and her eight primary forms installed in different sanctums at four levels. Apart from Goddess Lakshmi, the temple in Chennai also has idols of Dashavatara, the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu. The temple, with its coastal backdrop, exudes serenity. Devotees often seek blessings in the calm atmosphere, making it a peaceful retreat by the sea.

5. Vadapalani Murugan Temple

Built around 125 years ago, this temple in Chennai is dedicated to Lord Murugan and stands as a spiritual hub in Vadapalani. It was established at a place where the ardent devotee of Lord Murugan, Annaswamy Naikar worshipped him. The temple has several shrines of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Meenakshi Amman, Lord Shiva, Goddess Kali, Lord Bhairava, Chokkanadar, Dakshniamurti, Chandikeswara and Mahalakshmi. Also, look out for the annual Thaipusam festival that adds a vibrant touch to the spiritual atmosphere in this temple in Chennai.

6. Iskcon Temple, Chennai

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the Chennai Iskcon Temple is the biggest Radha Krishna temple in Tamil Nadu, standing as a spiritual oasis by the Bay of Bengal. Set in the Injambakkam area, the revered deities also include the Lord’s family like Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga. The images of Rukmini and Satyabhama are also present here. The entrance of the Chennai Iskcon Temple has an illustration of the universe or bhu-mandala on the marble floor making one realize the insignificance of one’s burdens.

7. Puri Jagannath Temple, Chennai

Bringing a touch of Puri's divine splendour to Chennai, the Puri Jagannath Temple Chennai stands as a cultural gem. This temple is dedicated to the divine trinity of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Goddess Subhadra and has shrines dedicated to Lord Shiv, Ganesh and Bimala. The annual rath yatra carried out is the oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival and grandeur of the very next level, descriptions of which can be found in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, the Skanda Purana, and the Kapila Samhita.

8. Kalikambal Temple

Set in the George Town area, the Chennai Kalikambal Temple is an ancient abode of devotion. Dedicated to Goddess Kalikambal, this temple was originally located closer to the site of the present-day Fort St. George but when the British East India Company built the fort, the temple was relocated to the current site. It is believed that earlier a fierce form of the goddess was worshipped at the Chennai Kalikambal Temple which was then replaced by Shanta Swaroopa form of Goddess Kamakshi by Adi Shankara.

9. Marundeeswarar Temple

Known for its healing and spiritual practices, the Marundeeswarar Temple Chennai is a stunning example of Chola architecture. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple in Chennai is also significant historically since it was an important point of Vadagaperuvazhi, now known as the East Coast Road that connected it to other parts of the kingdom.  This temple in Chennai, with the Kapaleeswarar Temple and Thiruvottiyur Thyagarajaswamy Temples, forms what is called the Trinity Sea Shore temples, and attracts a lot of visitors for not only the curative worship but also the style of architecture. 

Top 10 Famous Temples in Chennai You Must Visit

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is a renowned tourist destination. The city has numerous temples in which some of which are many centuries old.

Do you want to purify your mind, body, and soul and find peace of mind? Then, you should not miss visiting temples on your Tamil Nadu trip . The marvelous architecture will tell you the story of the unique Dravidian style. Moreover, the mythology and legends associated with the temples will amaze you.

Explore more about Chennai by visiting the temples here. Seek blessings from the Almighty. You could create some precious memories as well to cherish later. It is time to talk about some of the famous temples in Chennai. So, are you ready to start exploring? Let’s start the discussion.

Table of Contents

List of the Top 10 Famous Temples for Spiritual Awakening in Chennai:

1. kapaleeswarar temple.

Kapaleeswarar temple is a very popular holy place in Chennai. Moreover, it is also a key landmark of Mylapore. Do not forget to visit this temple on your Chennai trip. Kapaleeswarar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Lingam form.

The Pallavas founded the famous Kapaleeswarar temple during the 7th century. This temple is among the oldest ones in Tamil Nadu. Maximum devotees visit here on Mondays as well as Fridays.

Are you visiting Chennai in March? Then, you can witness the vibrant Bhramotsavam. It is a 12-day celebration, which creates a unique experience in itself. Kapaleeswarar temple timings are 5 am to 12 Noon as well as 5 pm to 9 pm.

Furthermore, many other popular places are there in proximity to this temple. Some of them are Express avenue mall, Gaudiya mutt, Marina beach, and so on.

• Opening Hours: 5:30 am to 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Address: Kapaleesvarar Sannadhi Street, Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004
• Built In: 7th century CE
• Built By : Pallava kings

2. Parthasarathy Temple

Parthasarathy Temple is devoted to Lord Venkat Krishna. It is among the ancient temples in the capital city of Tamil Nadu. Even the age-old Tamil scripts of Alvars have also mentioned Parthasarathy Temple. Moreover, this temple also consists of distinct shrines for Lord Narasimha. Besides, separate shrines for Lord Rama as well as Varaha Avatar are also present here.

Every Friday and Saturday witnesses a huge crowd of devotees in Parthasarathy Temple. You can visit here for Dharshan from 6 am to 12 pm as well as from 4 pm to 9 pm.

Parthasarathy temple is situated in the center of Chennai city. Hence, you can explore different other places nearby this temple after completing the darshan. Some such attractions are Shridi sai baba temple, Marina beach, T Nagar, etc.

• Opening Hours: 4:30 am to 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Address: Singarachari Street, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005
• Built In: 8th century CE
• Built By: Pallava kings

3. Ashtalakshmi Temple

The Ashtalakshmi Temple is situated in the proximity of Elliot beach (Chennai). This temple is among the most beautiful ones in the capital city. Moreover, it is one of the ancient too. The Ashtalakshmi Temple comprises eight forms of Lakshmi on the premises.

The main sanctum of this temple holds a vast idol of Lord Vishnu. The beautiful architecture of the Ashtalakshmi Temple will amaze you. This popular temple consists of four floors reachable by steep staircases.

You can visit the Ashtalakshmi Temple from 6.30 am to 12 pm as well as from 6 pm to 9 pm. The temple also has many popular attractions nearby. Some of them are Besant Nagar beach, Elliot’s beach, Marudeeswarar temple, etc.

• Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Address: Elliot’s Beach Road, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090
• Built In: 1976
• Built By: Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal
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4. Kalikambal Temple

The Kalikambal Temple is devoted to Shri Kaligambal and Lord Kamadeswarar. This is among the oldest temples in Tamil Nadu. It was built in 1640 AD. The holy ambiance and elegance of the Kalikambal Temple will amaze you.

The timings of the Kalikambal Temple are from 6 am to 12 Noon as well as from 4.30 pm to 9 pm. However, it can also be from 5 pm to 9 pm. Numerous other tourist attractions are there nearby this holy place. It includes the Thiru Vidanthai temple, Padi Sivan temple, Vada Palani Murugan temple, etc.

• Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Address: Thambu Chetty Street, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001
• Built In: 1678
• Built By: Chennapa Nayak

5. Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple

Do not forget to visit the Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple in Besant Nagar, Chennai. This famous temple is devoted to Lord Murga. There is one remarkable aspect of this temple.

The temple has each of the six army camps of Lord Muruga. Dedicated shrines are there for all six sacred abodes of Lord Murga. The architectural beauty of this temple will astonish you. Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple is a well-maintained temple. Besides, neat corridors are also there so that devotees can take some rest.

You can enter this temple from 7 am to 11 pm as well as from 5 pm to 8.30 pm. Besant Nagar beach is there nearby this holy place. Many other temples are also located in proximity.

• Address: Beside the Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104
• Built In: Ancient temple, exact year unknown
• Built By: Unknown

6. Sri Marundeeswarar Temple

Which is the largest temple in the capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai? The answer is Sri Marundeeswarar Temple. Moreover, this temple is among the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams.

The spread of the Sri Marundeeswarar Temple is one-acre land. The wonderful architectural beauty of this holy place is a unique experience in itself. Curative worship in this temple has been popular culture.

Sri Marundeeswarar Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Many people gather here on several auspicious occasions. It includes Siva Rathiri, Brahmotsvam, and Pradhosham.

Sri Marundeeswarar Temple is said to consist of the partial trait of the Pallava dynasty. Moreover, Chola art can also be seen in this temple. It is a vast temple with detailed carvings, beautiful paintings, and embellished pillars. Besides, the five-tier Gopurams with awe-inspiring idols are just mind-blowing to experience.

You can visit the Sri Marundeeswarar Temple from 5.30 am to 12 Noon as well as from 4 pm to 10 pm. Many popular tourist destinations are there around the temple. It includes VGP universal kingdom, VGP golden beach, Sri Krishna Balarama temple, etc.

• Address: Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600041
• Built In: 11th century CE
• Built By: Cholas

7. Sree Ayappan-Guruvayurappan Temple

Sree Ayappan-Guruvayurappan Temple is located at Mahalingapuram, Chennai. Did you know it is Chennai’s first-ever Ayyappan temple? The architectural grandeur is mind-blowing. Lord Ayyappan is the deity of this temple. Moreover, separate shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga are also present.

Sree Ayappan-Guruvayurappan Temple makes a combination of Kerala and Tamil styles. However, the Kerala tradition is maintained during the Poojas as well as rituals. A large number of Ayyappan devotees visit this temple during the Karthigai month. It falls from November to December.

Sree Ayappan-Guruvayurappan Temple has fixed the timings for darshan. It is from 4 am to 11 am as well as 5 pm to 8.30 pm. Some tourist attractions nearby the temple are Jeeva park, Semmozhi Park, Panangal Park, etc.

• Address: 15/23, Tank Bund Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034
• Built In: 1985
• Mahabalipuram
• Kanyakumari
• Kancheepuram

8. Vadapalani Murugan Temple

Lord Muruga is the deity of the Vadapalani Murugan Temple. It is a prominent landmark in Chennai. The incredible architecture and rich history of this temple are awe-inspiring.

Vadapalani Murugan Temple houses a 40m high eastern tower. It consists of all 108 Bharathanatiyam Mudras. Besides, the temple pavilion houses image descriptions from various occurrences of Skanda Puranam.

The timings of the Vadapalani Murugan Temple are 5 am to 12 pm as well as 4 pm to 9 pm. Many tourist places are present in the surrounding of this temple. Some of them are Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple, the olive Ayurvedic center, the forum mall, etc.

• Opening Hours: 5:00 am to 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Address: Palani Andavar Koil St, Vadapalani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600026
• Built In: 1890
• Built By: Annasamy Naicker

9. Sai Baba Temple, Ambattur

More than 10 temples are there in Chennai devoted to Shridi Saibaba. Visit this temple and you will witness a 9-feet high idol of Shridi Saibaba in a standing position. A large number of devotees gather here on Thursdays. You can visit here from 6 am to 12 pm as well as from 4 pm to 8 pm. Ambattur is a prominent landmark in the capital city of Tamil Nadu.

• Opening Hours: 5:30 am to 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Address: Plot 21, Ambattur Industrial Estate Road, Venkatapuram, Ambattur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600053
• Built In: 1994

10. Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu

One of the famous temples in Chennai is Thiruverkadu Vedapureeswarar Temple. Lord Shiva is the deity of this temple in the form of the Swayambu Lingam. The architectural style of this temple is extremely beautiful. You will explore the Gaja Brishtam style in the Thiruverkadu Vedapureeswarar Temple. This temple may be of around 1300 years old.

Even renowned poet Thirugnanasambanthar was all praise for this temple. The largest festival of this temple is the Brahmotsavam during the Magam day. The visiting hours of the temple are from 5 am to 12 pm as well as 4 pm to 8 pm.

Some eminent places nearby this temple are Padi Sivan Temple, Cholamandalam Artist Village, etc.

• Address : Thiruverkadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600077

What is the Best Time to Visit Chennai?

The answer is from November to February. It is because all these months belong to the winter season in the city. You can expect to experience between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius temperature in winter here.

The cool breath of wind from the sea offers great relief from the scorching heat during the daytime. Moreover, you can explore the vibrant Pongal festival if you set your trip in January. Nonetheless, December month also marks a grand Music & Dance Festival in Chennai.

How to Reach Chennai?

You can arrive in Chennai via air, train, or road. Do you want to reach Chennai via flight? Then, Chennai International Airport is there. It is located only 7 km distance from the heart of the city.

Chennai consists of two major railway terminals. The largest one in the city is Chennai Central station. You can reach other key cities and many smaller towns throughout the country. On the other hand, Chennai Egmore offers connectivity to places mainly within Tamil Nadu.

Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal or CMBT is among the largest bus stations in Asia. It connects key cities in Tamil Nadu.

Wrapping Up

Are you ready to explore all these famous temples on your Chennai trip? You can experience spirituality, rich culture, traditions, and so on throughout your journey. These temples are the origin of classical dance, music, poems, folktales, etc. Did you know around 1 lakh temples are there in Tamil Nadu? So, plan your trip today and have a great spiritual experience.

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Thanks for the information. Nice blog about famous temples in Chennai. Very useful for people who wants to visit Chennai.

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A 3-Day Cultural Journey in Chennai: Temples, Markets, and Art

Welcome to Chennai, the cultural capital of South India. Known for its rich heritage, vibrant festivals, and culinary delights, Chennai invites travelers to explore its ancient temples, bustling markets, and thriving art scenes. This 3-day itinerary is crafted to give you a comprehensive experience of Chennai’s cultural essence. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a foodie, or an art lover, Chennai has something special for everyone.

Day 1: Historical Reverence and Architectural Grandeur

Morning: visit to kapaleeshwarar temple.

Begin your journey with a visit to the Kapaleeshwarar Temple , a marvelous example of Dravidian architecture with a history dating back to the 7th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is not just a religious site but also a cultural hub, featuring intricate carvings, towering gopurams, and a serene temple tank.

Afternoon: Stroll Through Mylapore

After soaking in the spiritual ambiance, take a leisurely stroll through Mylapore , one of Chennai’s oldest residential areas. Mylapore is a melting pot of culture, where the old and the new coexist harmoniously. Visit the bustling Mylapore Market , a place to find everything from fresh flowers and silk sarees to traditional crafts.

Evening: Sunset at Marina Beach

Conclude your day with a visit to Marina Beach , the second-longest urban beach in the world. As the sun sets, the beach comes alive with food stalls, kite flyers, and families enjoying the cool sea breeze. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and reflect on the day’s adventures.

Day 2: Art, Culture, and Culinary Delights

Morning: exploration of government museum.

Start your day at the Government Museum Chennai . One of the oldest museums in India, it houses an extensive collection that showcases the rich history and culture of Tamil Nadu. Don’t miss the Bronze Gallery, famous for its exquisite collection of South Indian bronze artworks.

Afternoon: Culinary Tour of Chennai

No cultural journey is complete without exploring local cuisines. Join a culinary tour to taste authentic South Indian dishes, from crispy dosas to flavorful biryanis. Each dish tells a story of Chennai’s diverse culinary heritage.

Evening: Performance at Kalakshetra Foundation

End your day with a visit to the Kalakshetra Foundation , an institution dedicated to the preservation of traditional Indian arts. Enjoy a mesmerizing Bharatanatyam dance performance, an experience that will stay with you long after your visit.

Day 3: Modern Chennai and Sunset Farewells

Morning: art and the city.

Delve into Chennai’s contemporary culture with a visit to the Lalit Kala Akademi . Here, you can explore modern art galleries showcasing works by local and international artists. It’s a glimpse into the evolving art scene of Chennai.

Afternoon: Shopping in T. Nagar

Spend your afternoon in T. Nagar , Chennai’s bustling shopping district. Whether you’re looking for traditional jewelry, textiles, or modern fashion, T. Nagar offers an exhaustive shopping experience. Don’t forget to bargain for the best deals!

Evening: Farewell Dinner at Dakshin

For your final evening in Chennai, enjoy a farewell dinner at Dakshin , one of the city’s most celebrated South Indian restaurants. Offering a sophisticated dining experience, Dakshin serves dishes that are a testament to the culinary richness of the South.

Pre-Travel Tips for Chennai

When to visit.

Chennai experiences a tropical climate. The best time to visit is between November and February when the weather is more pleasant, making it ideal for exploration.

Getting Around

Chennai boasts a well-connected public transport system, including buses, metro, and auto-rickshaws. For a more comfortable journey, consider booking cabs through popular ride-sharing apps.

Accommodations: Where to Stay in Chennai

Chennai offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses. Areas like Mylapore and T. Nagar are centrally located, offering easy access to city attractions.

Must-Try Foods in Chennai

Chennai’s food scene is a delightful blend of flavors and spices. Don’t leave without trying Idli, Dosa, and Sambar. For the adventurous, the city’s street food offers an array of local delicacies like Murukku Sandwich and Paniyaram.

Local Markets and Souvenirs

Chennai’s markets are treasure troves of handicrafts, textiles, and jewelry. Visit Pondy Bazaar and Anna Salai for souvenirs like silk sarees, bronze idols, and handicrafts from Tamil Nadu.

Exploring Chennai’s Cultural Scene

Chennai’s cultural landscape is as diverse as it is dynamic. To truly immerse yourself in this richness, consider attending a live classical music performance or visiting during one of the city’s many festivals. Pongal, celebrated in January, showcases the best of Tamil culture, cuisine, and tradition.

Language and Etiquette

While Tamil is the primary language in Chennai, English is widely understood. Learning a few basic Tamil phrases, such as “Vanakkam” (Hello) and “Nandri” (Thank you), will be greatly appreciated by locals. When visiting temples and other sacred sites, remember to dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering.

Day Trips from Chennai

If you have more time, consider extending your adventure with day trips from Chennai. The coastal town of Mahabalipuram, with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples and carvings, is just an hour’s drive away. Alternatively, explore the French-colonial charm of Pondicherry, a peaceful retreat from the bustling city life.

Staying Safe in Chennai

Chennai is generally considered safe for travelers. However, as with any large city, it’s wise to stay vigilant, especially in crowded places. Keep your valuables secure and be cautious when using public transport at night. Drinking tap water is not recommended; always opt for bottled water instead.

Chennai, a Gateway to Unforgettable Memories

Your journey through Chennai is sure to be filled with unforgettable memories, from the sacred halls of ancient temples to the vibrant stalls of local markets. The city’s warm hospitality, combined with its rich tapestry of culture and history, makes Chennai a must-visit destination for those looking to experience the soul of South India.

Outdoor Adventures Around Chennai

For those craving a bit of adventure, the outskirts of Chennai offer exciting opportunities. Embark on a trek through the lush landscapes of Nagalapuram or engage in water sports at Covelong Beach. These spots are perfect for those looking to merge the thrill of adventure with the beauty of nature.

Relaxation and Wellness

Chennai’s wellness scene offers a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. From traditional Ayurvedic treatments to modern spa retreats, there’s an array of options to unwind and de-stress. Yoga classes and meditation workshops are also widely available, offering a glimpse into India’s ancient practices for mental and physical well-being.

Chennai’s Nightlife: From Traditional to Trendy

As the sun sets, Chennai’s nightlife comes alive with a variety of options to suit any mood. Explore traditional performances at cultural centers or unwind at trendy rooftop bars overlooking the city. Chennai’s nightlife offers everything from vibrant music scenes to cozy, laid-back lounges.

Artistic Expressions in Chennai

Chennai’s art scene is as diverse as its culture. From street art adorning the city’s walls to galleries showcasing contemporary works, the city is a canvas for creative expression. Visit the renowned Cholamandal Artists’ Village for a closer look at the works of leading and emerging Indian artists.

Community and Festivals

Chennai’s community life is epitomized in its festivals. Beyond Pongal, the city celebrates numerous festivals throughout the year with great fervor. Diwali, Navaratri, and Christmas are among the many occasions that see Chennai in its most vibrant form. Participating or witnessing these celebrations is a unique way to experience the unity and diversity of Chennai.

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• A Glimpse On Chennai Famous Temples

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Chennai is one of the beautiful cities that have everything to offer from beaches, shopping arcades, buzzing streets, lakes, historical sculptures, skyscrapers and museums. But, these are not only elements that sum up Chennai, there are some historical temples that add color to the charm of the city. The city is dotted with immense number of temples, some of which holds utmost importance and built thousands years ago. These famous temples in Chennai don’t only attract local people but also tourist due to its marvelous architecture. Take quick look at the most beautiful temples in Chennai that you can’t miss during your voyage to this city.

01. Kapaleeswarar Temple

This holy place is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Karpagambal. The Dravidian style architecture in the shrine is highly impressive that also includes wood carvings, decorated pillars, stone carvings and Gopuram at the doorway. Here, prayers are done 6 times a day.

Opening Time: 5:30-12:00 pm and 5:00-9:00 PM (Except Monday)

02. Parthasarathy Temple

It is one of the famous temples in Chennai that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Here, all the avatars of Lord Vishnu are worshipped with a great zeal. Also, the shrine has numerous sculptures, inscriptions, and murals that symbolize the battle of Kurukshetra.

Opening Time: 5:30-9:00 pm

03. Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple

This temple is also renowned as Vadapalani Murugan Temple and is dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is one of the major attractions of Chennai that is built by Annaswami Nayakar. Here, religious ceremonies and marriages also take place to seek the blessings for good health and prosperity.

04. Kalikambal Temple

This spiritual place is located in the heart of Chennai and is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi and God Kamateswarar including other devatas as well. According to the sources, the shrine was originally constructed close to the sea shore and later on it was relocated to its present location. The famous Marina beach and other shopping markets are just a mile away from here.

Opening Time: 5:00-12:00 PM and 4:00-9:00 PM.

05. Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple

This peaceful place is visited by Lord Balaji’s worshippers. The temple is almost crowded on every day but people get full satisfaction when they do darshan in the temple. The shrine remains closed in the afternoon and is very close to Pondy Bazar.

Opening Time: 5:00-1:30 PM and 4:00-9:00 PM.

06. Shree Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Mandir

It is a home to many Jains in Chennai that is dedicated to Chnadraprabhu Swami. The architecture of the shrine is that of Dilwara Temple of Rajasthan and it is made very beautifully. Head to this temple in Chennai to attain utmost peace.

Opening Time: 5:00-8:30 PM

07. Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple

It is a Hindu temple in Mangadu dedicated to Goddess Tapas Kamakshi. There is a big story behind the construction of this temple that you will get to know once visited this place. You will get pooja thali outside the temple that you can buy to worship the Goddess.

Opening Time: 6:00-1:30 PM and 3:00-9:30 PM

08. Arulmigu Ramanatheswarar Temple

It is one of the oldest Hindu temples where Lord Rama found Shiva linga during the search of his wife Sita. It is made in the Chozha temple architectural style that will surely adore you. Visit this place to explore the history behind the temple.

Opening Time: 6:00-1:30 PM and 4:30-8:00 PM

09. Anjaneyaswami Temple

It is must visit temple in Chennai where a 32 feet statue of Anjaneya is worshipped by lots of devotees. People can worship from far away as the statue is so large in size. Head to this spiritual place for a peaceful feeling and positive vibes.

Opening Time: 5:00-12:00 PM and 4:30-9:00 PM

10. Kandha Kottam

This is another exquisite temple of Lord Murugan in Chennai that is sprawled over a large piece of land. Here, Jothi Darshanam is shown every Thursday and Arutperunjothi Agaval is sung by the priests. The temple is mostly crowded on weekends.

Opening Time: 6:00-9:45 PM

There are many other temples also that you can visit to attain inner peace but, these were the popular one. Book Flights to Chennai or train tickets to explore these spiritual places to your best.

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Home » Lifestyle » Travel » 15 must visit temples in Chennai

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Famous Temples to Visit in Chennai

Chennai is a city in India that has lots of famous temples you can visit. You can rent a car to get around and explore them.

Famous Temples in Chennai

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. There are attractions to visit and a lot of things to do in Chennai. But among the many historical monuments, beaches, shopping malls, and the skyscrapers, you will find that the heritage temples in Chennai are the ones that add an extra charm to the city. The temples of Chennai are rich in history and are among the marvelous structures you will find anywhere in India and even globally. These temples attract not only devotees but also architectural enthusiasts. Different temples are dedicated to different deities of the Hindu religion and have their own stories to show.

Famous temples in Chennai to visit

Here is a list of the top and the most famous temples in Chennai to visit – 

Kapaleeswarar Temple

Kapaleeswarar Temple is one of the most famous temples to visit in Chennai. It is dedicated to one of the forms of Lord Shiva and Parvati – Arulmigu Kapleeshwar and Goddess Karpagambal. The temple was built in the 7th century by the Pallavas and is known for its Dravidian style of architecture that features stone carvings, wood carvings, beautifully decorated pillars, and also a Gopuram at the doorway. The temple allure devotees from all around the world throughout the year, but the major footfalls are seen during festivals like Arubathimooval and Panguni. There is also a huge tank behind the temple where Theppam is celebrated with great zeal every year.   

Location: Mylapore

Opening Hours: 5:30 am to 12 Noon and 5 pm to 9 pm. Monday closed.

Marundeeswarar Temple

Marundeeswarar Temple is one of the best temples to visit in Chennai. It was built in the 11th century and is dedicated to Marundeeswarar, a form of Lord Shiva, who is believed to be the healer of ailment. It is located close to the seashores of Chennai and is spread over one acre of land. Since the temple has a lot of open space, people can relax and spend time around the temple compound. The main temple has two entrances and has five  levels of gopuram over its doors. There are stone carvings on the ceiling, giving the temple a serene ambiance. 

Ekambareswarar Temple

Ekambareswarar Temple is another Hindu temple in Chennai where Lord Shiva is worshipped alongside other Gods like Vishnu, Ganesha, Surya, Shakthi, and Kamakshi. Within the temple complex, there is another big temple that is dedicated to the nine planets, also called Nabagraha. The temple was built back in 1680 by a worker who worked under the British. It receives a number of devotees every year, especially during different Hindu festivals like Aadi, Chithirai, Markazhi, and Panguni.  

Location: Kanchipuram

Opening Hours: 6 am to 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm to 8 pm. The temple is not closed in the afternoon during festivals and special occasions.  

Parthasarathy Temple

Parthasarathy Temple is dedicated to the different forms of Lord Vishnu. It is the only temple in Chennai where many forms of Lord Vishnu – Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, and Varaha worshipped within one temple complex. The temple has a separate entrance for temples of Rama and Narasimha. The temple is known for its ancient sculptures, inscriptions on the walls, and the murals that give details of the events of the battle of Kurukshetra. 

Location: Triplicane

Opening Hours : 5:50 am to 9 pm 

Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple

Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is the main attraction in Chennai. The temple was originally built by Annaswami Nayakar, a true devotee of Murugun, back in 1890. The temple underwent a huge renovation in 1920 when the huge rajagopuram was built at the entrance of the temple. It is considered to be a sacred place, and a number of marriages and other religious ceremonies are held inside the temple. Since the deity is in the standing posture, it is believed to provide health and prosperity to married couples.  Location: Vadapalani

Opening Hours : 5:30 am to 9 pm 

Kandhakottam

Kandhakottam is one of the best must visit temples in Chennai that is dedicated to Lord Murugan and was built in the 1670s. The temple is spread over 8 acres of land and has a large tank, called ‘saravanapoigai,’ inside the complex. According to legends, the temple was built by two devotees of Thiruporur who came to Chennai as traders. Lord Murugan is the ‘Warrior God,’ and there are special pujas performed on Thursdays apart from the regular ones done daily. 

Location : Chetty Street

Opening Hours:  6 am to 9:45 pm. Closed in the afternoon from 12:30 am to 4 pm. 

Kalikambal Temple

Kalikambal Temple, as the name suggests, is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The temple was originally built near the seashore but was relocated to its current place in 1640 AD. The original deity inside the temple was that of the most fierce form, but it was later replaced by a calmer and Shanta Swaroopa form Goddess Kamakshi. It is believed that the great Maratha king Shivaji visited the temple in 1667. The temple hosts special pujas during Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is also completely filled with devotees during the auspicious days of Navratri. 

Location: Old George Town

Opening Hours: 6 am to 12 noon and 5 pm to 9 pm

Why Hire IndusGO's Service for The Trip?

 If you want to understand the Tamilian culture of the people of Chennai and learn about the mythological stories, you should visit the different famous temples of Chennai. Even if you are in Chennai for a few hours, there are many temples to visit near Chennai airport .

But, all of the temples are located in different areas of Chennai, and it can be difficult for you to visit all of them within a few days, especially if you are using public transportation. You will not have to bear the tantrums of the local taxi drivers or auto drivers or pay higher prices than what you need to. Hiring a traditional taxi in Chennai to go from one place to another can also be quite expensive too. 

The most convenient and affordable way to travel in Chennai is by hiring IndusGO rental cars in chennai . You can plan your day the way you want to and take breaks in between without having to wait for others or losing time looking for transportation. You can travel to multiple destinations with just one booking, and the car will be at your disposal throughout your trip. You can cover more places within one day when you hire a rental car.

Our IndusGO rental cars allow you to have a comfortable trip and enjoy it to the fullest. 

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15 Famous Temples To Visit In Chennai

Location, legend, mythology and details of famous temples around chennai, sri kapaleeswarar temple at mylapore, chennai..

Visited on:  19 th February, 2016 and 22 nd March, 2017

Location 

Mylapore is situated in the heart of Chennai at a distance of about 14 kms from Koyambedu. There is a railway station in Mylapore on the Beach to Velachery MRTS train route.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvotriyur, Thirumullaivayil, Thiruverkadu, Thiruvalithayam and Thiruvanmiyur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 24 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is the most popular of the “Sapthasthana” temples in Chennai.
• This is the birth place of Vayilar Nayanar- one of the 63 Nayanmars.
• This is the birth place of Thiruvalluvar.
• This east facing temple has a 7-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors. The 3-tiered west facing tower is facing the temple’s sacred tank. 
• The last Consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishegam) took place on 03.04.2016 and prior to that in the year 2004.

History of the Temple

The historical name of this place is Kapaleecharam.

Mylapore is on the sea coast and the shore is just one kilometre away.

There are three places where Goddess Parvathy took the form of peacock (“Mayil” in Tamil) and worshiped Lord Shiva – they are Mayiladuthurai (Mayuram), Thirumayiladi and Mylapore.

The original temple was located near the sea but was believed to have been submerged in the sea. The current temple was built around 350 years ago.

The temple’s towers are very beautiful. There is a big tank opposite to the temple’s western tower. The view of the temple and the tank is picturesque.

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Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple at Thiruverkadu.

Visited on: 17 th July, 2016.

Thiruverkadu is situated at a distance of about 7 kms from Poonamallee on the Poonamallee to Avadi route. From Koyambedu Bus stand (Chennai) it is about 10 kms.

This temple is about 1 kilometre away from the popular Sri Devi Karumariamman temple.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Thiruvotriyur, Thiruvalithayam, Thirumullaivayil, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur.

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 23 rd Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• This east facing temple has a 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 3 corridors.
• The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum has been constructed according to the Gaja Brishtam style of architecture. 
• This is the birth place of Saint Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.

This ancient temple is situated on the banks of river Paalaru and is believed to be more than 1300 years old. Based on the architecture of this temple, it can be inferred that it was built during the Chola period. The historical name of this place is Vada Vedaranyam.

This temple is under the administrative control of Sri Devi Karumariyamman Temple, Thiruverkadu.

Sri Marundeeswarar Temple at Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.

Visited on: 17 th July, 2016 and 22 nd March, 2017

Thiruvanmiyur is situated at a distance of about 29 kms from Koyambedu, Chennai. It is on the ECR (Chennai to Mahabalipuram route).

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvotriyur, Thirumullaivayil, Thiruverkadu, Mylapore and Thiruvalithayam.

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 25 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested) and the lingam is white in colour.
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• This temple’s east facing main tower (Rajagopuram) has 7-tiers and it has two corridors.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 22.08.2004 and prior to that on 12.02.1984 and 01.02.1979.  

Sri Thiruvalleswarar Temple at Thiruvalidayam (Padi).

Visited on : 16 th July, 2016

Thiruvalithayam (Padi) is located at a distance of about 7 kms from the Koyambedu Bus Terminus on the Chennai to Thiruvallur route. It is about 12 kms from the Chennai Central railway station. The railway station nearest to Thiruvalithayam is Kurattur on the Chennai Central to Arakkonam route and this temple is about 2 kms away from it.

Thiruvalithayam is near the Paadi main junction and just opposite to the Lucas TVS Factory.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvotriyur, Thirumullaivayil, Thiruverkadu, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur.

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 21 st Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• This east facing temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has two corridors.
• Lord Vinayakar’s wedding with Kamalai and Valli took place here.
• The Vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum has been constructed according to the Gaja Brishtam style of architecture.
• This temple is famous as a Parihara Sthalam for Lord Guru (planet Jupiter).
•  The last Consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 29-01-2012.

This ancient temple is believed to have been constructed by Chola kings. The historical name of this place is Thiruvalithayam but it is now known as Paadi.

Sri Masilamaneeswarar Temple at Thirumullaivoyal.

Visited on: 17 th July, 2016

Thirumullaivoyal is situated at a distance of about 16 kms from the Koyambedu Bus Terminus, Chennai. It is on the Chennai to Thiruvallur route. There is a railway station in Thirumullaivayil on the Chennai to Arakkonam railway line. The temple is about 2 kms away from the station.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvotriyur, Thiruvalithayam, Thiruverkadu, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur.  

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 22 nd Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.  
• The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum has been constructed according to the Gaja Brishtam style of architecture.
• The temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers and has 2 corridors.

Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple at Thiruvalangadu (Thiruppazhayanur).

Thiruvalangadu is at a distance of about 17 kms from Thiruvallur en route Arakkonam. From Arakkonam also this place is about 17 kms.

Thiruvalangadu has a railway station on the Chennai – Arakkonam rail route and the temple is about 4 kms away from the station.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thiruvalangadu are – Ilambaiyangkottur (10 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (32 kms), Thakkolam (17 kms), Thiruvirkolam (20 kms) and Thirupachur (19 kms).

General Information    

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 15 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.  
• This is one of the five places where it is believed that Lord Natarajar competed with Goddess Kali in a dance performance.
• The Natarajar mandapam (hall) of this temple is called “Rathna Sabhai (Gem hall)”.
• This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where all the “Moovars” have rendered their pathigams.
• Karaikkal Ammaiar also rendered her “Mootha Thirupathigam” about Lord Shiva here.
• This temple has three corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.  

It is believed that originally this temple was constructed by the Chola and Pallava dynasties. This is a very ancient temple. The stone inscriptions available in this temple are from the periods of King Paranthaka Chola-I to the last king of Vijayanagaram.

Earlier this village was called Pazhayanur and the place where this temple was located was called Alangadu.  In the Devara Hymns, this place is mentioned as “Pazhayanur Alangadu”.

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). This temple is controlled by Thiruthani Murugan temple’s Eexcutive Officer/Joint Commissioner.

Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar temple at Thiruvirkolam (Koovam).

Coovam is situated at a distance of about 20 kms from Thiruvallur via Kadampathur and Perambakkam. It is about 18 kms from Sriperumbudur, via Kadampathur and Sunguvar Chathiram.

From Koyambedu, Thiruvallur is about 40 kms.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thiruvirkolam are – Ilambaiyangkottur (10 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (32 kms), Thakkolam (17 kms), Thiruvalangadu (20 kms) and Thirupachur (19 kms).

General Information            

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 14 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• This Shiva lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• The east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• The vimana (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).
• There is separate set of Pancha Bootha Sthalams around Chennai and out of that, this is the “Agni” Sthalam.

This temple is believed to have been built by the kings of the Chola dynasty.

The temple is situated at the origin point of the Coovam river with its sparkling and clear waters.

It is believed that three demons - Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidyunmali had obtained the blessings of Lord Shiva through rigorous penance. Using the gifts that Lord Shiva had given them, they constructed three forts made of gold, silver and iron respectively in three different towns for their protection and these forts became impregnable to any kind of retaliation by anyone. The demons started terrorising the celestial gods and sages who went to Lord Shiva to seek his help.

When Lord Shiva decided to destroy these demons at the request of the celestial gods, the world turned into a chariot, Suryan and Chandran became the drivers (Saradhi), the celestial gods (Devas) form the wheels and Meru, Vasuki and Agri became the bow, the arrow and the arrow’s tip respectively. This event is called “Thiripura Samharam” - Thiri meaning three, Puram meaning town and Samharam meaning destroy in Tamil.

Sri Vaacheeswarar temple at Thirupachur

Visited on: 17 th July, 2016 and 23 rd November, 2016

Thirupachur temple is at a distance of about 3 kms from Thiruvallur on the Thiruvallur to Arakkonam route.

Nearest railway station is in Kadambathur which is at a distance of about 4 kms from this temple. Thiruvallur is about 40 kms away from Koyambedu, Chennai.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thirupachur are – Ilambaiyangkottor (22 kms), Thiruvirkolam (18 kms), Thakkolam (25 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi) (14 kms) and Thiruvalangadu (15 kms).

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 16 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).
• This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.

It is believed that Chola King Karikalan had built this temple.

The place is also called Than-kathalipuram after the name of Goddess Thangathali. Other historical names of this place are Mayapuri, Abhayapuram, Manickapuri and Cholapuram.  

Sri Arambeswarar Temple at Ilambaiyangkottur (Elimiyankottur).

Visited on: 17 th July, 2016 and 22 nd November, 2016

Ilambaiyangkottur is at a distance of about 24 kms from Thiruvallur via Kadampathur and Perambakkam. Thiruvallur is about 40 kms away from Koyambedu.

From Koovam, it is about 6 kms. Koovam is on the Chennai to Arakkonam road.

From Kanchipuram Ilambaiyangkottur is about 25 kms.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Ilambaiyangkottur are – Thiruvirkolam (10 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (35 kms), Thakkolam (10 kms) and Thirupachur (22 kms).

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”. Clothes and flowers are being offered with the help of a stick.
• This is an east facing temple and it has one corridor. Instead of a main tower (Rajagopuram), there is an arch type entrance.  

This ancient temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old.

The legend is that on his march to destroy the three demons (Tiripura Samharam) - Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidunmali and protect the Devas, Lord Shiva passed through this place in a chariot. During this journey, the garland (kondrai flowers in Tamil) from Lord Shiva’s neck fell down at this place and became a swayambu lingam. As this lingam is considered to have been formed from the lord’s garland the lord here is considered to be “Theendathirumeni” (untouched by human hands).

Sri Oontreeswarar Temple at Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi)

Visited on:  17 th July, 2016 and 23 rd November, 2016

Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi) is situated at a distance of about 12 kms from Thiruvallur on the Thiruvallur to Neyveli Kuttu road en route Oothukottai. From the Neyveli Kuttu road the temple is about one kilometre away. The temple is very near to the Poondi dam. From Koyambedu, Thiruvallur is about 40 kms.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Poondi are – Ilambaiyangkottor (35 kms), Thiruvirkolam (32 kms), Thakkolam (38 kms) and Thirupachur (14 kms).  

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 17 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.  
• This is an east facing temple and has no main tower (Rajagopuram) but has arches on South and East sides. This temple has two corridors.
• Consecration ceremony was performed on 14 th September, 2016 after renovation.
• This temple is constructed like a madakkoil with steps. Madakkoils are temples that are built at an elevation and have a few steps to be climbed to see the Lord.
• Lord Shiva gave Sundararamurthy Nayanar a walking stick (Oontrukol), hence the lord here is named “Oontreeswarar”.  

Earlier this Shiva temple was situated on the banks of river Kusashthalai in a village called Thiruvulampudur. During the year 1942, Tamil Nadu Government acquired and took over many villages including Thiruvulampudur for construction of the Poondi water dam. The Government provided alternative land at Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi) for construction of a new temple in place of the old one at Thiruvalampudur. The idols of deities except the moolavar, pillars and sculptures were removed from the old temple of Thiruvulampudur and reinstated at the new location.  For this new temple, the consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 5 th July, 1968.

It is said that the idol of the main deity is newly created as the original one had already been installed at Sri Gangadareswarar temple at Purasapakkam, Chennai.

It is further said that some portion of the old temple’s main tower can still be seen from the banks of the Poondi Lake.  

Sri Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple at Thiruvotriyur, Chennai

Visited on: Saturday, 16 th July,2016

Thiruvotriyur is about 25 kms from Koyambedu Bus Terminal and 8 kms from Central Railway Station, Chennai. There is a railway station in Thiruvotriyur (electric railway line) and this temple is situated about one kilometre away from it.

Chennai has five more Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams  – Thiruvalithayam, Thiruverkadu, Thirumullaivayil, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur.

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 20 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambu lingam. It is in the form of an ant-hill – it has a tall banalingam but does not have a base (Avudayar).
• This is considered to be one of the 51 Shakti Peetas.
• This is one of the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams where all “Moovar” had rendered their Pathigams.
• Saint Thiyagaraja Swamigal, Muthuswami Dikshithar and Marai Malai Adigalar had also visited here and sung the glory of Lord Shiva of this temple.
• Adipuri is the historical name of this place.

This temple is one of the Saptha Vidanga Sthalams of Thondai Nadu as Lord Thiyagaraja is the main deity of this temple.  

This temple is said to be more than 1500 years old and was built in the Pallava and Chola dynasties.

Sri Vilvanatheswarar Temple at Thiruvalam

Visited on: 26 th August, 2016

Location  

Thiruvalam is about 130 kms from Koyambedu, Chennai on the Chennai to old Bangalore road. If you are travelling from Chennai, on Chennai to old Bangalore road, the route is Walajapet – Ranipet - Muthukadai – Thiruvalam. From Ranipet, Thiruvalam is at a distance of about 12 kms. It is located near the famous old iron bridge.

Another route to reach Thiruvalam is via Veore. It is 25 kms from Vellore on the Vellore to Katpadi road.

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 10th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested lingam).
• This temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 4-tiers and this temple has three corridors (Praharam).
• The temple is facing east with an entrance from south.  

This temple is located on the banks of the Neeva river (also called Ponnai river).

It is said that Lord Shiva was worshiped by a demon (asura) called Theekkali, so this place is also known as Theekkali Vallam.

This is a huge and beautiful temple, built by the kings of Pallava and Chola dynasties. There are quite a few references of Rajendra Chola in the stone inscriptions.

The stone inscriptions in this temple reveal that this was an important pilgrimage centre in the past. We can find references of pilgrims using Thiruvalam as a resting place before journeying to other pilgrimages in southern states and as far off places as Banaras (Kasi) in Uttar Pradesh.

Sri Shivanandheswarar Temple at Thirukkallil (Thirukkandalam)

Visited on: August 15, 2016

The nearest town to Thirukkallil is Periyapalayam. To reach Periyapalayam there are two routes –

(1)   Periyapalayam is around 40 kms from Koyambedu on the Chennai - Puzhal – Redhills - Periyapalayam route.

(2) Another route is from Uthukottai, Uthukottai to Periyapalayam is 16 kms.

From Periyapalayam first reach Kannigaiper (Kanniputhur) which is at a distance of 5 kms and then travel for another 3 kms to reach Thirukkallil (Thirukkandalam).

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 18 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Moolavar is Swayambhumurthy (self-manifested lingam).
• This temple has a single corridor and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• Moolavar’s shrine (vimanam) is of Gaja Brishtam type.
• This temple is east facing and has a beautiful tank in front of it.

The temple is situated on the banks of Kushasthali river and is said to have been built in the Chola period.

According to the legend, Lord Rama’s sons - Lava and Kusha lived at Siruvapuri, a village near Thirukkallil.  It is believed that they would often come to Thirukkallil, take a dip in the river and worship Lord Shiva. Since Kusha took a dip in this river, it is called Kushasthali. Another interesting story is that once Lava and Kusha had fought in a war against Lord Rama himself without knowing that he was their father.

In ancient times this place was dense with kalli trees (Vajravanam in Sanskrit) and the sacred tree of this temple is also kalli, hence this place is called “Kallil”. Another name for this place is “Thirukkandalam”. 

Sri Kachabeswarar and Sri Marundheeswarar Temples at Thirukachur (Alakkoil)

Visited on: 27 th August, 2016

Thirkachur is at a distance of about 6 kms from Maraimalai Nagar and 2 kms from Singaperumal koil en-route Sriperumputhur. Both Maraimalai Nagar and Singaperumal Koil are on the Chennai to Chengalpattu route. Nearest Railway Station is Singaperumal Koil.

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 26 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.  
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthy (self-manifested).  
• There is no main tower (Rajagopuram) in this temple. It has two corridors (praharam) and is an east facing temple.
• The sanctum tower (Vimanam) of Lord Shiva here is of Gajabrushta form (looks like the back of an elephant).
• Thirukachur is mentioned as “Aadhi Kanchi” in Kanchi Puranam.

The temple was believed to have been constructed in the Chola period by the Chola King Kulothungan-I. This a typical Chola period temple with beautifully engraved pillars, sculptures and halls (mandapams). Lots of engraved reliefs depicting the history of the temple can also be seen on the pillars.  

This is a twin temple - Sri Kachabeswarar temple is at the foothill and in the midst of the village and the other one is Sri Maruntheeswar temple, which at the top of a small hill at a distance of about one kilometre. 

As the sacred tree of this temple is the banyan tree (Kal-ala Maram in Tamil), this temple is also known as Alakkoil.

Sri Idaichuranathar Temple at Thiru Idaichuram (Thiruvadisoolam)

Thiruvadisoolam is at a distance of 9 kms from Chengalpattu on Chengalpattu to Thirukkazhukundram route and 18 kms from Thirupporur on Chengalpattu to Thirupporur Road.

 Thirukkazhukkundram, another Paadal Petra Sthalam is 15 kms away from this temple.

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 27 th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• The Moolavar here is a large sized Swayambhumurthy (self-manifested lingam) and is made of Emerald (Maragatham).
• This east facing temple has two main corridors and a main tower (Rajagopuram) with five-tiers.  

The temple is said to have been built in 7 th  Century.

This place is in a beautiful location in the midst of hills and so it gets the name Idai-churam (“Idai” meaning – in between and “churam” meaning hills and forests).

This temple is under the purview of Thirukkazhukkundram Sri Vedagireeswarar Devasthanam.

According to the legend that in ancient times, the region was a forest densely covered with Vilwa trees. A shepherd, while grazing his cows, observed that one of his cows was pouring its milk at a particular place every day. He informed the locals and they cleared that area of bushes and found a Maragatha Swayambu Lingam. The legend is that Goddess Parvathi came here as Kamadhenu (cow) and worshipped Lord Shiva. Hence the Ambal here is named Govardhanambikai (Go meaning cow in Tamil).

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1. Marina Beach

4 km from city center 1 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Marina Beach is a natural urban beach along the Bay of Bengal. The beach is stretched out to a distance of 13 kilometres making it the longest natural urban beach in the country, second largest in the world and also the most crowded beach in India with almost 30,000 visitors a day. 

2. Government Museum, Chennai

1 km from city center 2 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Government Museum was established in 1851 and is the second oldest museum in the country after the Indian Museum in Kolkata. Situated in Egmore suburb of Chennai, it is built in the Indo-Sarcenic style and houses a rich collection of the works of Raja Ravi Varma.

3. MGR Film City

8 km from city center 3 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Having been established in the year 1994, a considerably new structure, the MGR Film city is managed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in loving memory of MG Ramachandran who was not only a crowd-pleasing tamil actor but also a longtime CM of Tamil Nadu.

4. Breezy Beach

9 km from city center 4 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Breezy Beach lays in the remote and serene neighbourhood of Valmiki Nagar in Chennai. Being smaller and less polluted, its a perfect getaway for anyone looking for a peaceful evening.

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8 km from city center 5 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The magnificent Marundeeswarar Temple, in Tiruvanmiyur, near Chennai has the temple deity Shiva in the form of Marundeeswar or Aushadeeswarar, the God of Medicines. A fine specimen of Dravidian architecture, this temple is a must visit for anyone visiting Chennai or nearby cities.

6. Arignar Anna Zoological Park

27 km from city center 6 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Arignar Anna Zoological Park aka Vandalur Zoo, is a zoological garden located in Vandalur is spread over an area of 602 hectares, including a rescue and rehabilitation centre. The zoo shelters about 3000 species of flora and fauna across twelve hundred acres including 46 endangered species, in its 160 enclosures.

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7. Valluvar Kottam

1 km from city center 7 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Valluvar Kottam is an auditorium, with a gigantic capacity to hold 4,000 people, built in remembrance of the poet-saint, Tiruvalluvar. Verses of the poet Tiruvalluvar are embellished on the pillars in and around the auditorium.

8. Ashtalakshmi Temple

8 km from city center 8 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Chennai Ashtalakshmi temple is situated in Besant Nagar, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. That stretch of beach is known as the Elliot's beach. The temple was constructed on the express wishes of Sri Mahaa Periyavaal of Kanchi Mutt, Sri Chandrasekara Saraswati Swamigal. (br) The temple's architecture is unique, with the deities installed in four levels. 

9. Connemara Public Library

1 km from city center 9 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Connemara Public Library at Chennai holds the prestigious status of being amongst one of the four deposit libraries in India which entitles them to a copy of every publication in India.

10. Kolli Hills

10 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

With an ominous name which means ‘Mountain of Death’, Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai are a mountain range located in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. It is relatively untouched by commercial tourism and therefore has retained most of its natural magnificence.

11. Elliot's Beach

7 km from city center 11 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

A beach showcasing beauty, calmness, serenity and everything that signifies nature at its best, the Elliot's beach cannot be forgotten by anyone who has visited it once.

12. VGP Golden Beach

16 km from city center 12 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Considered as one of the cleanest and beautiful beaches in Chennai, VGP Golden beach is one of the most sought after destinations in the area by family and friends.

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Famous Temples in Chennai - A Glimpse Into The Tamilian Culture

13. ISKCON (Hare Rama Hare Krishna) Temple

17 km from city center 13 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

ISKCON Temple Chennai is a temple devoted to Lord Krishna. It is located on the East Coast Road at southern Chennai. Built on 1.5 acres of land, ISKCON, Chennai is the biggest Radha Krishna temple in Tamil Nadu. It was officially inaugurated on 26 April 2012. The deities revered in the temple include those of Radha Krishna and lord's family, including Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga.

14. Vivekananda House

4 km from city center 14 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Vivekananda House also popularly known as The Ice House, is a shrine and pilgrimage centre for the admirers and followers of Swami Vivekananda. It is in this house that Swami Vivekananda stayed for six weeks in 1900.

15. Akkarai Beach

18 km from city center 15 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The sandy coastline begins from Ennore in the north extending south into Uthandi, leaving one to choose from more than just Marina and Elliot's beach.

16. Dakshinachitra Museum

2 km from city center 16 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Dakshinachitra Museum is one of the living-history museums in India which stores in itself great works of architecture, crafts, performing arts, and lifestyles that belong to South India.

17. Santhome Cathedral Basilica

4 km from city center 17 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Santhome Cathedral is a historical and ancient pilgrim centre, which was built during the 14th to the 15th century A D by the then reigning, Portuguese.

18. Madras War Cemetery

8 km from city center 18 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Madras War Cemetery houses the last remains of around 855 martyrs who laid down their precious lives at the battlefronts in the devastating Second World War and also a Memorial stone for 1000 more who died fighting in the Great War before that.

19. Madras Crocodile Bank Trust

35 km from city center 19 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Madras Crocodile Bank is not to be confused with a zoo. Yes, you can certainly take a look at the reptiles in captivity. But unlike a zoo, this has a much more in-depth operation through ex-situ and in-situ conservation. Right now, it is home to around 17 croc subspecies and some other reptiles like frogs, lizards, snakes and turtles as well.

20. MGM Dizzee World

26 km from city center 20 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

MGM Dizzee World is one of the largest and oldest amusement parks in India. It brought Jurong’s Bird Show from Singapore to India way back in 1999. There are extreme level thrill rides, but nice and enjoyable ones are there too. The park has something for every age group.

21. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

3 km from city center 21 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Chennai is among the most visited and respected places of worship In Tamil Nadu as well as India. Sai Baba is recognised as one of those spiritual reformers who does not have ties to any particular god of any religion but is a figure of worship himself. So there are no religious restrictions imposed upon those who visit the temple.

22. Nettukuppam

21 km from city center 22 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Nettukuppam is the northernmost tip of Chennai and has a beach which is yet not tarnished by encroaching crowds. It is a solitary retreat for those who seek to enjoy the raging sea up close but in a peaceful environment. The place is an ideal place to spend quiet time as it is still not on the radar of the maddening tourist crowd.

23. Prakasam Salai

6 km from city center 23 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Built in 1795,a milestone in the history of Chennai, located Opposite Parry's Corner, Prakasam Salai is an impressive stylish building in Indo-Saracenic style with eminence in red bricks.

24. Thousand Lights Mosque

1 km from city center 24 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Thousand Lights Mosque of Royapettah, Chennai is among the most esteemed mosques of the city as well as the state of Tamil Nadu. Built in the early 19th century by the Wallajah family of the Carnatic rulers, it is till date a popular gathering place for the daily prayers and festive occasions like Muharram.

25. Fort St. George

5 km from city center 25 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The origin of the great white structure of Fort St. George is inextricable from the history of the city of Chennai itself. Popularly called the 'White Town', the sole purpose of establishing the massive fort compound was to build a British stronghold in the Coromandel Coast and the rest of south India.

26. Chennai Sangamam

5 km from city center 26 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Chennai Sangamam, a large open Tamil festival, also coincides with the Pongal season. It is organized in various open locations like beaches, parks etc and showcase traditional folk events, martial arts and classical dance, to name a few. In addition the festival brings together the best that South Indian cuisine has to offer – from tasty panirayams to the traditional pongal.

27. Royapuram Fishing Harbour

9 km from city center 27 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Under the administration of Chennai Port Trust, Royapuram Fishing Harbour is one of the most popular fishing grounds in Chennai. Located in a region which is famous for seafood, this harbour surely has its name among the busiest fishing hubs of Tamil Nadu.

28. Santhome Church

4 km from city center 28 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

San Thome Church is among the only three in the world that house the tombs of one of Christ's original disciples. If you visit this church, you will be stepping into a historical tale that will take you back a couple of centuries. The museum inside displays souvenirs of the great saint and his legend.

29. Kapaleeswarar Temple

4 km from city center 29 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Kapaleeswarar Temple is a holy shrine of Shiva in Mylapore, Chennai. A visit to this temple will be an experience enriched with a glimpse into Tamil religious culture and the lovely architectural combination of the two styles – Dravidian and Vijaynagari, complete with towering Gopurams.

30. Mylapore

3 km from city center 30 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Mylapore is one of the oldest and culturally enriched neighbourhoods, located in the southern part of Chennai. It is very much traditionalist to its core and boasts many temples, churches and historical monuments.

31. Express Avenue

2 km from city center 31 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Express Avenue is a mall in Royapettah of Chennai owned, developed and promoted by Express Infrastructure. The premise includes commercial and hospitality sectors as well. E Hotel is the name of the 4-star boutique luxury-lodging, which caters to the guests all year long with its 44 room capacity. But the mall is the main attraction of the place.

32. Vadapalani Murugan Temple

4 km from city center 32 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Vadapalani Murugan Temple is one of the most popular temples dedicated to Lord Murugan. Located in Vadapalani, Chennai, the temple is known for helping devotees finding solutions to life's problems. It is also believed that worshipping Lord Murugan here is as pious as praying to him at the original Palani temple.

33. T Nagar

3 km from city center 33 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

T Nagar is one of the busiest neighbourhoods in Chennai, and also the most crowded one. It serves as a commercial and economic hub, as well as a residential area. It does not have many attractions, but you will come across a plethora of retail shops lined up on every main road and arterial streets.

34. Parthasarathy Temple

3 km from city center 34 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Parthasarathy Temple, located in Triplicane area of Chennai, is a structure more than 1000 years old, standing in the heart of the bustling city. Dedicated to different avatars of Lord Vishnu within the many shrines of the temple, it attracts thousands of Vaishanvite followers from all across the country.

35. Parasailing in Chennai

19 km from city center 35 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

If you think the city of Chennai is all about glitzy temples and serene beaches, look deeper cause the uber city is home to one of the most adventurous sports of all times - Parasailing. Unlike several other water sports, this one is not for the faint hearted. It allows you to sail above the water with a safely harnessed parachute tied to your back.

36. Scuba Diving in Chennai

6 km from city center 36 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Chennai could get quite hot in the summer and beating the heat would be the top priority in summers. Then why not dive into the Bay of Bengal somewhere off the coast of Chennai. Discovering a totally different world under the surface of the sea and cooling yourself at the same time is the best deal about Chennai.

37. Camping in Chennai

9 km from city center 37 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Surrounded by a number of hills around it, Chennai neighbours to some amazing places that offer nearness to Nature. Every soul in any metro city craves for something new every now and then, and Chennai doesn’t lack in fulfilling this need for its people. There are a number of places to camp in Chennai for a twist out of the normal. One can never run out of places to get closer to something natural.

38. Paragliding In Chennai

11 km from city center 38 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

It is commonly misunderstood about Chennai that it is only about glitzy temples, serene beaches and conservative people, but that's not completely true, look deeper. The people here have the provision of getting in the sky and sailing smoothly over the hills like Eagles.

39. Surfing In Chennai

29 km from city center 39 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Getting in the water and riding the waves on a surfboard is not a thing that everyone can do. But some hours of practice can make that joy possible. There are a number of surfing schools that offer courses and help you tame the waves under your feet.

40. Paintball In Chennai

10 km from city center 40 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

If you are into playing combat games but all the games lack the touch of reality and the feeling of getting hit, then Paintball is for you. Chennai has a bunch of such Arenas to help you get in action. Get outdoors, get some Paintball Guns in your hand and challenge your friends to some real action. Keep your skills on the check and your friends in sight; you never know when you might get hit.

41. Rock climbing In Chennai

16 km from city center 41 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The fitness aspect for the people of Chennai has been taken up by Rock Climbing and Bouldering, rather than regular gyms. Climbing is the coolest way of being fit as well as getting a regular dose of adrenaline. But Rock Climbing doesn’t mean you put yourself under the raging sun all the time! You can opt for Indoor Climbing too and get into the daily chores after the session.

42. Jungle Safari In Chennai

3 km from city center 42 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The tropical climate of Chennai has blessed the land with ample amount of lush greenery and equally rich wildlife. Safari in Chennai’s wildlife parks award the visitors with some amazing experiences around our neighbours of nature. Interacting with the wild animals makes us realize the true nature of wilderness. There’s a lot to learn and understand from animals.

43. Boating in Chennai

6 km from city center 43 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Having the advantage of being a coastal city, Chennai also has a number of lakes and thus opening up the waters for water sports. Boating in Chennai was not so well flourished earlier, but recently the bay of Chennai has been witnessing a decent increase in the number of yachts and boats. Sailing has a charm that can fit any occasion, let that be a romantic boathouse date or a casual hangout with friends on a yacht, an exciting racing event of sails and rowboats or just a fun race of pedal boats between family and friends. Boating is for everyone.

44. Anjaneyar Temple Nanganallur

10 km from city center 44 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Viswaroopa Adhivyadhihara Sri Bhaktha Anjaneyaswami Temple is located around 10 kilometres away from the heart of the city, in a locality called Nanganallur. Commonly called the Anjaneya Temple in short, it gets its name from its principal deity, Lord Hanuman. The most important aspect of the temple is its 32 feet idol.

45. Fishing In Chennai

9 km from city center 45 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Fishing was a way of survival until it got challenging and adventurous. Fishing has become a common way of bonding with friends and family. The sport seems easy but takes a lot of dedication and patience to lure and catch the biggest of all the fishes. As the Aquatic Adventure has gained popularity many Sport Fishing Facilities have opened up and are busy providing the experiences.

46. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers & Ashram

10 km from city center 46 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers is named after Swami Sivananda, one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century and founded by his disciple Swami Vishnudevananda. The Non-Profit organisation has centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Madurai and Delhi and all over the world. The Organisation has dedicated programmes like the Sadhana Intensive, Kids Camp, Work/Study Programme, Prison Project and Teachers Training courses and also Yoga Vacations.

47. Thiruvanmiyur Beach

10 km from city center 47 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Located in the neighbourhood of Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai, Thiruvanmiyur Beach is one of the isolated and peaceful beaches of the city. Popular for beautiful sunrise and sunset views, the beach is mostly frequented by nature lovers, romantic couples or solitude seekers.

48. Neelankarai Beach

12 km from city center 48 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Neelankarai Beach is an untouched gorgeous beach located in the small locality of Neelankarai in South Chennai. The highlight of the beach are the innumerous turtles that can be found on the shores. People usually visit it to watch the turtles or to walk along the lengthy coastline touching the beautiful blue waters of the sea.

49. Santhome Beach

4 km from city center 49 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The southern part of the Marina Beach is known as the Santhome Beach. With immaculate clean sands, azure blue waters and gorgeous sweeping views of the sea, Santhome Beach is a one among the most visited beaches of the sea. You can also find several eateries and sports activities at the beach.

50. Pebble Beach

17 km from city center 50 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Situated at a distance of 1 km from Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai, Pebble Beach is a comparatively smaller beach. Due to its location, it receives relatively lesser number of visitors. However, the beach offers extremely peaceful and serene and you can visit it to spend some time in solitude.

51. Palavakkam Beach

11 km from city center 51 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Located at the southern tip of Chennai in Palavakkam, Palavakkam Beach is a wonderful beach boasting of mesmerising sunrise and sunset views. The highlight of the beach is an age-old temple situated on the beach. The beach has vast expanse of shores, with stunning views of the horizon merging in the sea.

52. Kasimedu Beach

10 km from city center 52 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Kaismedu Beach is a comparatively lesser known beach of Chennai. It is not just a recreation spot but also an important fishing harbour. With vast expanse of the blue sea and brown sandy shores, you can also find several fishermen at work with their huge fishing nets and boats. Besides, the fisherfolks also sell their spoils at the shores; you can buy fresh fish here. Volleyball is another popular activity at the beach.

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Top 10 Temples of Chennai 2024: Timings with Photos

Budget Hotels > Travel Blog > Destinations > Chennai > Top 10 Temples of Chennai 2024: Timings with Photos

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is one of the oldest cities in the South. It was formed when the British bought land in the province of Tondaimandalam and built the Fort St. George. Eventually, they annexed all nearby villages into what would soon be called Madras. It is only recently that the local governments made the decision to rename the city to Chennai in an effort to abolish the British influence on India. And, while they surely took care of that, Chennai’s own cultural influences still breathe deep in its many architectural marvels.

The south of India is very fond of building temples, as is demonstrated by the many that have been erected in honour of famous actors. But Tamil Nadu, in particular, is known as the land of the temples, for even within southern states Tamilians are remarkable sculptors. And Chennai is no exception to that rule, being the capital of Tamil Nadu. In fact, one would be hard pressed to not find one around every other corner of the city’s streets. Now, with that knowledge, it is clear that to truly appreciate a city like Chennai and its long history, it is important to visit the best of its many temples. And here, we are going to do just that! So, without further ado, let’s go on a holy pilgrimage of sorts, shall we? also book hotels in Chennai

1. The Ornate Kapaleeshwarar Temple

The Ornate Kapaleeshwarar Temple

The Kapaleeshwarar temple is located in the Mylapore area of Chennai, which is named after Lord Shiva himself. Historically, people of this region worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a peacock, which is called Mylai in Tamil and is the origin of this area’s name. In the Kapaleeshwarar temple, however, it is not Lord Shiva who is the star of the show. That honour has been bestowed upon his wife Parvati, who is worshipped here under the name of Karpagambal. The original temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 1500s and had to be rebuilt in its current location. And while that is not necessarily a happy event, it did create the stunningly intricate temple that exists today. Being one of the most ancient temples in Chennai, it is also one of the most visited temples in the city. So, if you are trying to get a good look, it is best to visit early! Check also the most popular historical places .

• Timings: 6:00 AM-1:00 PM & 4:00 PM-8:00 PM

2. The Ancient Parthasarathy Temple

The Ancient Parthasarathy Temple

Built in the 8 th century, this temple is one of the oldest temples in Chennai and has been a staple in any list that details the temples of Chennai. As might be obvious to anyone who knows some lore about Lord Krishna, this temple is named after him. In the Hindu mythological text Mahabharata, Lord Krishna acted as the charioteer for the Pandava prince Arjuna. And it is in this very role, that he recited the entirety of Bhagwada Gita, which is now one of the biggest literary exports of India. Due to structural damage, this historic temple is undergoing a huge renovation, and some parts of it are not accessible to the public. But that doesn’t mean that you should miss out of visiting this historic temple. Additionally, it is also one of the preferred temples in Chennai for marriage as you will find if you visit early in the mornings! So get married or attend some stranger’s wedding while appreciating the beauty and heritage of this monument! May be you will like to read places to visit in Chennai

• Timings: 6:00 AM-12:00 PM & 4:00 PM-9:00 PM

3. The Sacred Temple of Thyagaraja

Located in one of the longest-standing regions of Chennai, Tiruvottiyur, the Thyagaraja temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the most famous temples in Chennai, this temple is also one of the biggest in the country, with about 33 acres of expanse to its credit. Consisting of four gateway towers, also known as Gopurams, it is filled with shrines to a number of deities from Hindu mythology. Another very interesting fact about the temple is the chariot that the thousands of devotees pull out of the temple every year. During the Tiruvarur chariot festival, about 10,000 people are required to pull the largest chariot of its kind in Asia that carries in it the statue of Lord Shiva. The chariot weighs around 300 tonnes and stands taller than 90 feet vertically. If you ever get the chance to visit Chennai in April, this is a sight worth watching!

• Timings: 5:00 AM-12:00 PM & 4:00 PM-9:00 PM

Also Read: Places to Visit in South India

4. The Rich Ashtalakshmi Temple

The word Ashtalakshmi is derived from the name of the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi. Ashtalakshmi means the 8 types of wealth that are desired by all devotees who worship goddess Lakshmi. Each of these types of wealth are represented as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi in this temple. They are Gaja Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Santaana Lakshmi, Dhaanya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Adi Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, and Vidya Lakshmi. As you go around the temple you will see each of the Lakshmis represented differently in their respective abodes. Having been built in 1976, this temple consolidates both Dravidian architecture and contemporary architecture. It is conveniently located on the Elliott beach, which is just another reason to visit this beautiful monument to the Hindu Goddess of wealth! check also forts in Chennai

• Timings: 9:30 AM-8:30 PM

5. The Famous Vadapalani Andavar Temple

Vadapalani Andavar Temple

This temple was built in honour of Lord Muruga or Kartikeya as many Indians known him. He was the son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, and the brother of Lord Ganesha. In the southern parts of India, Murugan is worshipped as the God of War. It is rumoured to have started off as just a small shed dedicated to Lord Muruga by Annaswami Nayakar, a devout follower of the Hindu God. Over the years, it has been one of the most common temples in Chennai that are used for the purposes of a marriage. Some estimated 7,000 couples marry at the Vadapalani Andavar temple annually. The gates of the temple are covered in stucco art that depicts several legends from the ancient text that details Kartikeya’s life. It is called the Skanda Purana. It had to be renovated again in 1920s where it grew bigger as well. It has also been made famous by the life-long care of Shri. V.A. Sundara Gurukkal. If you are in Chennai and are looking to tie the knot, then look no further! Get to the Vadapalani Andavar Temple and take the plunge! Read more about beaches in Chennai

• Timings: 5:30 AM- 9:30 PM

Also check couple friendly hotels in Chennai

6. The Penitent Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple

The Penitent Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple

A very interesting myth is attached to the history of this temple. People in Chennai, and many other parts of South India, believe that this temple can aid in finding a groom for an unmarried woman. A Devi by the name of Kamakshi Amman apparently closed Lord Shiva’s third eye in a fit of playfulness and the whole world plunged into darkness. When the matter was resolved, she begged Lord Shiva for forgiveness and he asked her to commit to penance. For the site of her penance, Kamakshi Amman chose the very place that this temple is built on. The legend says that Lord Shiva was so impressed by her severe penance that he appeared before her and granted her the boon of being his wife. Based on this story, the belief goes that unmarried women who worship Devi Kamakshi Amman with true sincerity at this temple get blessed by her. She removes all obstacles in the path to marriage and they get married fast. Well, whether you are superstitious or not, it still is a beautiful temple to visit and get married in!

• Timings: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays: 6 AM – 1.30 PM, 3 PM – 9.30 PM

          Sunday,Tuesday and Fridays: 5 AM – 10 PM (Without Break)

• Abisheka Time: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday:  11 AM – 12.45 PM

7. The Royal(ish) Kalikambal Temple

Kalikambal Temple

The Kalikambal temple is located in Parry’s Corner which used to be called the George Town area of Chennai. It is yet another temple that is dedicated to the Devi Kamakshi, however, she is worshipped not as Kamakshi but as Shri Kalikambal here. It also celebrates the divinity of Lord Kamadeswarar. Today, this ancient place of worship is surrounded by tall buildings built on the prominent financial district of Chennai, the Thambo Chetti street. An interesting fact about this monument is that it used to be in a completely different location which was close to the sea. It was relocated to where it is now in 1640 AD. It is also worthy of note that Maratha King Shivaji had worshipped here during his lifetime whilst incognito. Wouldn’t you like to touch the same walls that Chattrapati Shivaji himself touched centuries ago? Read also – Picnic spot in Chennai

• Timings: 6:00 AM- 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM- 9:00 PM

8. The Gateway Adeeswar Temple

This temple sits pretty beside the Redhill lake by the Grand Trunk road which just so happens to be the road that connects Chennai to the rest of Tamil Nadu. It is for this very reason that it is also known as the “Gateway to the South”. The Jain community in India is especially fond of this shrine as it was built to honour their first god Lord Adeeswar, or Adi Bhagwan, or any of the many names that he is known by. Tirthankar Rishabhdev, which was his given name, is believed to be the person who started the religion. But Jains believe their religion to be timeless, existing far before any Hindu gods existed. Which can also be said about this temple as it is believed to have been built as early as the 1 st Century BC, about two thousand years ago. Whether you are Jain or not, to visit this temple is a feast to the senses with the intricately carved Jain architecture depicted here!

• Timings: 6:00 AM- 8:30 PM

9. The First-of-its-Kind Ayyappan Temple

The Ayyappan temple was the very first Ayyappan construction in the city. It was built in 1974, instantly becoming a favourite place for many devotees. A lot of the residents that lived near the Mahalingpuram Ayyappan temple used to migrate to the Sabarimala during the Mandalam Makaravillakku seasons. To keep them there the idea of building this monument was conceived and it can’t be denied that it worked. To see the first-of-its-kind of anything is an exciting affair, so make sure to visit the Ayyappan temple if you happen to be in Chennai!

• Timings: 4:00 AM- 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM- 11:00 PM

10. The Standalone Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

Also, in the Mylapore area of Chennai, this sole temple for the devotees of the famous Shirdi Sai Baba stands proud! It was created by some of the biggest devotees of Sai Baba, a list that is too long to read out. In 1953, they put together the operation to construct this beautiful temple in the honour of their God. Sai Baba was a historic figure who lived in the 19 th century and was renowned for bridging the gap between Hindus and Muslims because of his charitable outlook towards life. He has lived on in the country’s memory for preaching unity, a revered national sentiment. Come and get some blessings from Sai Baba at his southern abode!

• Timings: 5:00 AM- 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM- 9:00 PM

And the List Goes On…

Being the capital city of the land of temples, a list of Hindu temples in Chennai can really just go on for a while. The temples mentioned above, however, are the most visited of the lot and it is for good reason. Not only are they beautifully constructed, but they also represent the city’s culture and its love for all things holy. Just like so many other important places in the country, this large city boasts of a heritage more ancient than the modern India itself. Read also about things to do in Chennai

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