Top Temples in Tamil Nadu

Temples of Tamilnadu
Temples of Tamilnadu

Thousands of temples with lofty towers dot the skyline of the southernmost state of Tamilnadu in India. These temples are torchbearers of the glorious heritage of the Tamil speaking region, and are repositories of the magnificient art forms that evolved over several centuries. Several of these temples have been glorified by the ancient tamil hymns of the 1st millennium CE.

Tamilnadu Temple History and Architecture: The Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar rulers and the Nayakas have made immense contributions to temple art in Tamilnadu. Pillayarpatti: The familiar image of Karpaka Vinayakar, is from the ancient rock cut temple at Pillaiyarpatti near Karaikkudi. Located nearby is the hill temple of Shanmukhanathan at Kunnakkudi. Tevara Paadal Petra Stalangal: Regionwise index of 275 ancient Shiva temples glorified by the hymns of the tamil saints of the 1st millennium CE with complete details on history, architecture, festivals etc. Murugan temples of Tamilnadu: Regionwise index of 54 ancient Murugan shrines with complete details on history, architecture, festivals etc. Divya Desams of Vishnu: Regionwise index of 108 shrines dedicated to Vishnu glorified by the hymns of the Tamil Alwar saints of the 1st millennium CE with complete details on history, architecture, festivals etc. Ancient Shiva temples revered by the hymns of Manikkavacakar: Complete details on shrines associated with the life of Manikkavacakar the saint poet of the 1st millennium CE. Srirangam: The largest and among the grandest temples in India and a treasure house of art, Srirangam enshrines Vishnu - Ranganatha in a reclining posture and its entrance is crowned with the loftiest tower in India. Tiruvannamalai: Among the grandest temples in India, Tiruvannamalai has a hoary tradition of festivals, the most important of which is Kartikai Deepam. Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at Madurai is an ancient center of worship as well as an art gallery of vast proportions. Rich in traditions, festivals & art, Madurai is second to none in representing the rich cultural heritage of India. Chidambaram: Experience the grandeur of the temple and the tradition of festivals at Chidambaram, enshrining Shiva, as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. The Kamakshi Amman temple at Kanchipuram - the ancient city of temples is one of the leading centers of Shakti worship in Tamilnadu. Also here are the Ekambreswarar temple, the Varada Raja Perumaal temple, Kumarakottam and many more. The southernmost tip of the subcontinent - is home to the ancient shrine of Kanyakumari. At Tiruvattaar and Tirupatisaaram in Kanyakumari district worship is offered in the Kerala Tantram protocol. Srivilliputtur: This vast temple in Southern Tamilnadu is the birthplace of Andal, one of the 12 Alwars and author of the revered Tiruppavai hymns. Rajagopala temple at Mannargudi: The grandest temple to Krishna in India is located at Mannargudi near Thanjavur in Tamilnadu. Azhagar Koyil near Madurai: Known as Tirumaalirumcholai, this shrine has been venerated by the hymns of the Alwars. The Aarupadai Veedu Shrines of Tamilnadu are ancient Murugan shrines referred to in Sangam period Tamil literature. The hill temple of Palani enshrining Murugan is one of the most visited temples of Tamilnadu and is rich in legend and tradition. Kumbhakonam is an ancient pilgrimage center in Tamilnadu housing the Kudandai Kaaronam, Kudamookku , Kudandai Keezhkottam, Sarangapani and Ramaswamy temples. Mayiladuturai: The ancient temple town of Mayiladuturai has several temples, the foremost of which are the Mayuranathar and Parimala Ranganathar temples. Ancient temples of Chennai: The modern city of Chennai has in its midst, four ancient temples dating back to the 1st millennium CE. Periya Koyil: The most imposing temple Vimanam in India, is that of the Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur, built by the Chola ruler, Raja Raja Chola I the great. This architectural marvel is one of the popular tourist destinations in the state. Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Daarasuram, Tribhuvanam temples were built by the Chola Kings who succeeded Raja Raja Chola. The first of these is modeled along the Thanjavur temple; the Daarasuram temple is built in the form of a chariot. Pancha Bhoota Stalangal: Tiruvannamalai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvaanaikkaval, Kalahasti and Chidambaram are five grand temples enshrining Shiva as a manifestation of the five elements. The Tyagaraja temple at Tiruvarur is one of the ancient heritage sites of India and is a representation of the religio-socio-cultural history of the Tamil region for a time period spanning a millennium and a half. Pancha Sabha Temples: Chidambaram (gold), Madurai (silver), Tirunelveli (copper), Tiruvalankadu (ruby) and Kutralam (picture) are revered as the five Cosmic Dance halls of Shiva. In and around Tiruchirappalli are the Rock Fort temple, Uraiyur, Samayapuram, Tiruvaanaikkaval, Srirangam, Uttamar Koyil, Vayalur etc. The Murugan shrine at Marudamalai., the Avinashi Lingeswarar temple are located near Coimbatore. Also near Coimbatore is the Perur Patteeswarar temple. At Mahabalipuram near Chennai, is the Stalasayana Perumaal temple. Nearby are Tiruvidandai and Tirukkalunkunram, all three temples are over 1200 years old. Also nearby is the Murugan shrine of Tirupporur. The Samayapuram Mariamman temple near Tiruchirappalli and the Tiruverkadu Karumariamman temple near Chennai are centers of Shakti worship. Alwar Nava Tirupati: Nine ancient shrines in Tirunelveli are closely associated with Nammalwar. The first of these is Sri Vaikuntham and the last is Alwar Tirunagari. Eight of the nine Navagraha stalams in Tamilnadu are temples dedicated to Shiva; 7 of which are associated with the Bhakti movement of the 1st millennium. Sirkazhi near Chidambaram is one of the most revered Shivastalams in Tamilnadu and is home to the Saiva saint Tirugnanasambandar. Also located in Sirkazhi is the Trivikrama temple revered by the Alwars. The Tamilnadu Temple Index: Follow this pointer to an index of over 1000 temples of the state of Tamilnadu arranged alphabetically.