Chennai is a prominent cultural, economic, and educational center of India. This city can cater to all your interests, whether you are a working professional, a traveler on an excursion, or a religious and spiritual devout. If you are planning to visit Chennai, read this article to know the popular temples in Chennai that you should see.
Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the stunning capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Famously known as the "Gateway to South India," Chennai is an important administrative center and is known to be cradled in deep-rooted traditions.
Bustling streets, historical monuments, friendly people, breathtaking beaches, ethereal lakes, and tall skyscrapers are not the only characteristics that make Chennai stand out. This city is also known for its stunning and famous temples that add character and magnificence to the city. With such rich religious and spiritual history, the city captures the attention of many devotees and travelers who love to explore architectural wonders.
Top 7 Most Famous Temples in Chennai! Find Out Here!
Chennai is a well-known tourist destination. The beautiful city is dotted with extravagant temples, most of which were built centuries ago and hold immense religious and spiritual significance. The Chennai temples highlight the city's devotion. Their marvelous architecture not only captivates the tourists and local people, but the mythological tales associated with these temples also amaze them.
Given is a list of 7 important temples in Chennai which are a must-visit for everyone.
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Hands down, the ornate Kapaleeswarar Temple is one of the oldest and most popular Shiva temples in Chennai. This holy temple is dedicated to the divine deities, Lord Shiva and Goddess Karpagambal- a form of Goddess Parvati, and is a key landmark of Mylapore. The temple holds six daily puja services, which captivates devotees throughout the year.
Constructed by the Pallavas in the 7th century, the magnificent structure has Dravidian architecture, featuring decorated pillars, stone pillars, Gopuram at the doorway, and wooden carvings. When you visit this temple, you will be stunned looking at the temple's intricate design. As it is one of the most ancient Chennai temples, it is also one of the most visited temples in the city.
Sree Ayyappan-Guruvayurappan Temple
Sree Ayyappan-Guruvayurappan Temple is situated in Mahalingapuram, Chennai. The reason behind its popularity is that this temple is the first-ever Ayyappan Temple in Chennai. Though the principal deity is Lord Ayyappan in this scenic temple, there are also separate shrines for Lord Murugan and Lord Vinayaka.
A blend of Tamil and Kerala styles can be seen in the architecture of this spectacular temple. When it comes to the rituals and Pujas, these are conducted as per the traditions of Kerala. The morning and evening Pujas are considered highly auspicious in this temple. In the month of Karthigai (November to December), a massive throng of Ayyappan devotees visits this temple. A visit to this magnificent temple will leave you stunned because the structural grandeur is awe-inspiring.
Parthasarathy Temple is one of the most well-known, prominent, and ancient Vishnu temples in Chennai, as per the list of Hindu temples in Chennai. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is even named after him. Parthasarathy Temple is situated at the heart of the city in the Triplicane area of Chennai.
The temple is also mentioned in the age-old Tamil scripts of Alvars. This temple consists of different avatars of Lord Vishnu, namely, Lord Krishna, Lord Narasimha, Lord Varaha, and Lord Rama, and all these avatars are worshiped with immense gusto and zeal. Parthasarathy Temple has various spectacular inscriptions, sculptures, and murals dedicated to the different events of the battle of Kurukshetra from the Mahabharata. This is a must-visit Chennai temple when visiting the city.
Kalikambal Temple
Hands down, one of the famous temples in Chennai is Kalikambal Temple. The temple is dedicated to the divine deities Kaligambal and Kamateswarar. Popularly known to be one of the oldest temples in Chennai, the temple was originally located near the seashore and was later relocated to its current location in 1640.
The temple was ravished and demolished during the Portuguese invasion; however, it was later restored to its glory and still holds immense grace. The original idol was believed to represent the aggressive form of the Goddess. But the current one represents the calm, composed, and peaceful form of the Goddess, also known as 'Shanta Swaroopa.' The holy ambiance in the temple and the sheer beauty and elegance of the Kalikambal Temple amaze every devotee visiting it.
Located in the proximity of the stunning Elliot Beach, Chennai, the Ashtalakshmi Temple is a beautiful Chennai temple, along with being one of the most ancient temples in the capital of Tamil Nadu. The term "Ashtalakshmi" is derived from the name of the divine Hindu Goddess of wealth, Goddess Lakshmi. The unique quality of this site of devotion is that the temple is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and her eight avatars. The Goddess is the giver of all eight forms of wealth- success, offspring, food, prosperity, wealth, courage, bravery, and knowledge.
Ashtalakshmi Temple is one of the most artistically designed temples to visit in Chennai. The temple combines both Dravidian and contemporary architecture. Its beautiful architecture always captivates the devotees visiting the temple for religious and spiritual purposes. This beautiful Chennai temple consists of four floors, spectacular pillars, structures, and a detailed roof design. One cannot deny that Ashtalakshmi Temple is a religious wonder, making it a must-visit for all devotees!
Sri Marundeeswarar Temple
One of the largest and the most revered temples in Chennai is Sri Marundeeswarar Temple. The temple is spread over an acre of land and is known to have splendid architecture. This temple is believed to be built in the 11th century and is devoted to the divine Lord Shiva as Marundheeswarar, which means "a healer of all ailments." The temple has a long history of curative worship.
The temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. Its two entrances are decorated with five-tier Gopurams with incredible effigies, immaculate paintings, ornate pillars, and intricate carvings on the ceiling, making this temple a sight to behold. The temple offers open space, which is why it is the perfect place for visitors to relax in a serene ambiance and tap into their devotional side. Many devotees come to this on several auspicious occasions like Siva Rathiri, Pradhosham, etc.
Considered a massive tourist attraction and one of the revered Chennai temples, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, also known as Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple, is dedicated to Lord Murugan. A devotee of Lord Murugan built the temple called Annaswami Nayakar in 1890 and then renovated it in 1920 when a Rajagopuram was constructed at the entryway.
The temple is known for its rich history and awe-inspiring architecture. This spot is visited by devotees and tourists from all over the country. It is considered a pious place for religious ceremonies and marriages. Lord Murugan is in a standing posture in this temple and is believed to offer prosperity and health to newly-wedded couples. The temple houses a 40m high Eastern Tower, consisting of all the 108 mudras of Bharatanatyam. The temple pavilion also has image descriptions from the incidents of Skanda Puranam. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most beautiful Chennai temples!
Summing Up
Only 7 important temples in Chennai are mentioned in this article; you will find many more incredible holy temples in this city. This is because Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is a hub of temples that attract devotees from all over the country. These important temples in Chennai not only attract tourists and devotees but also add an extraordinary charisma, making Chennai a city like no other! Not only are these temples spectacular, but they also represent the city's rich culture. Chennai boasts of an ancient and holy heritage that can be seen in the city's temples.
If you want to purify your mind, body, and soul, or you are looking for peace of mind, a trip to the best temples in Chennai and temples around Chennai can do you wonders.
Do you have any astrology-related queries, or do you want to know which temple to visit based on your birth chart? If yes, turn to the best astrologers in Chennai on Astroyogi.
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