A descriptive guide to exploring the Most Famous Temples in Around Chennai with tips about things to do and places to see.
Explore the Cultural Capital of India!
The country with one of the old civilizations and famous of different cultures, traditions, and heritage, India has 29 states and seven union territories who have their cultures and traditions. India has thousands of temples, some have existed here for more than a thousand years and have its importance. It is one of the best places where you can find a spiritual connection & complete peace of mind.
Tamil Nadu is one of the 4 metropolitan cities, which is modern and also connected with its divine roots. Chennai is the capital city of Tamil which is a famous tourist destination and is home to some beautiful temples with some unique Dravidian style architectures, cultural significance, and historical importance. Temple here is mostly dedicated to Lord Shiva and his family and Lord Vishnu. The bustling roads, the sweltering heat, and roaring traffic do not stop tourists here to explore some most spectacular temples and holy sites. Apart from, People also love to enjoy South Indian cuisine like Dosa and Idli which is famous all over India and relaxing on the beaches here. So let’s see some most famous temple in this cultural capital of the country.
Most Famous Temples in Around Chennai
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Built-in the Pallava regime in the 7th century, this is one of the oldest temples in the state of Mylapore in Chennai. Mylapore is also called the land of peacocks. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, they get worshiped in the form of peacocks. The temple is beautifully carved in the Dravidian style of architecture with stone carvings, wood carvings, and ornamented pillars. Theppam or the float festival and the Arubathimooval festival take place here which attracts lots of tourists every year.
Address: Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple,Mylapore, Vadaku Mada Veethi,
Chennai – 600004.
How To Reach: Can reach here by taking bus, auto or can from Chennai Central Railway station
Timings: 5:30 AM – 12 PM and then 4 PM – 9 PM
Temple Website: http://www.mylaikapaleeswarar.tnhrce.in/
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year, but mostly from March – April(because of the festival)
Top Attractions: Arubathimooval festival in the month of Panguni.
Parthasarathy Temple
Located on the coast of Bay of Bengal and dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple is built in the 8th century by Pallavasand is visited by devotees of Vishnu. This temple is in the heart of the city which also has many smaller shrines dedicated to different avatars of Lord Vishnu like Krishna, Rama, Narasimha, and Varaha. With its intricate designing on the pillar about Pallavas, Cholas, Murals are pretty charming and exhibit the different events held in the battle of Kurukshetra.
Address: Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple
Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005
How to Reach: Can reach here by taking the bus, auto or can from Chennai Central Railway station (4 km)and 25 km away from Meenambakkam Airport.
Timings: All days of the week 5:30 AM – 12:00 PM 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Temple Website: http://www.sriparthasarathytemple.tnhrce.in
Best time to visit: November to February
Top Attractions: Spectacular History of Lord Vishnu and Battle of Kurukshetra.
Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple
Also known as the Vadapalani Murugan Temple which is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is most popular in Chennai because of the Murugan Shrines. This temple is believed to build at least 125 years ago in 1890 by one of the devotees of Lord Murugan Annaswami Nayakar and also the idol of Lord Murugan in a standing position believed to bless the newlyweds with health and prosperity and thus the most preferred venue for marriages.
Address: Andavar Koli Street, Vadapalani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600026
How to Reach: The Chennai International Airport is 11 km away, while the Chennai Central Railway Station is at a distance of 11.5 km from the temple.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Temple Website: http://www.vadapalaniandavartemple.tnhrce.in
Best time to visit: November to February
Top Attractions: Eastern tower (40 m high) with images of 108 mudras of Bharat Natyam.
Marundheeswarar Temple
A haven for people suffering from illness, this temple is situated in the Thiruvanmiyur neighborhood of Chennai built in the 11th century and the most visited religious site in Chennai. Here, Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of Marundheeswarar and is considered to have healing properties. A trinity temple situated on the seashores and has a very ancient history and inscriptions which are very famous.
Address: Lalitha Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai
How to Reach: A taxi or car from Chennai central which is just 13 min from here. The direct bus departing from Broadway and arriving at Thiruvanmiyur is also available.
Timings: 6 AM -12 PM and 4 PM -9 PM.
Temple Website: http://marundeeswarartemple.tnhrce.in/
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Top Attractions: Half ft. self-manifested Shivalinga
Ashtalakshmi Temple
Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and her 8 forms, this temple is located around the shores of Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar and built-in 1974. These goddesses in this beautifully designed temple are incarnated in different levels and represent her 8 forms which are wealth, offspring, success, prosperity, courage, bravery, food and knowledge. It consists of 4 levels and each floor is done up artistically and separate shrines of each avatar. The seaside site is just cheery on the top that attracts tourists for its beautiful view.
Address: Arulmigu mahalakshmi temple, besant nagar, Chennai.
How to Reach: situated at a distance of 10 km from central Chennai and easily reached by taxi.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Temple Website: http://ashtalakshmitemple.tnhrce.in/
Best time to visit: Throughout the year.
Top Attractions: Seaside locations, Shrines of different avatars.
Ekambareswarar temple
Built in 1680, this temple is the place where you can worship several Gods and goddesses under one roof and seek blessings from all of them. You can soak yourself in the grandeur of temples of South India here. Lord Shiva along with, Ganesha, Surya, Vishnu, and Goddess Kamakshi are worshipped in this temple. During festival days, you can find here the absolute celebrations with much fervor and that makes it a famous holy place to visit.
Address: 319, Mint St, Parle Town, George Town, Chennai
How to Reach:
By Road: Temple is 2 KM from Kanchi Bus Stand. Buses will be available from Tirupati or Chennai.
By Rail: Temple is at a walkable distance from Kancheepuram Railway Station.
By Air: Chennai is the nearest airport which is at a distance of 61 KMs.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Temple Website: http://www.ekambaranathartemple.tnhrce.in/
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Top Attractions: Several idols and sculptures.
Adeeswar Temple
A Jain temple, located on the outskirts of Chennai just nine km from Chennai, is quite popular here. It is built during the first century and also known as Kesarwadi Jain Temple and “Gateway of the South”. It is dedicated to Rishabhadev, the first Tirthankara or Adi Bhagwan. It connects to the southern states of Tamil Nadu. It is a significant shrine, and this temple has grabbed a lot of attention because of its inscriptions on the temples and also its spectacular blend of all sights and walks of life.
Address: Redhill Lake, GST Rd, Balaji Nagar, Puzhal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station is Mathur Railway Station Junction, which is 8 km away from Ancient Adeeswar Jain Temple in Polal. One can reach the Ancient Jain Temple in Polal by Private taxis or buses from Mathur Railway Station Junction.
Timings: 6 AM to 8:30 PM (closed in the afternoon).
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Top Attractions: Significant history in the architecture.
Madhya Kailash Temple
Dedicated to Venkata Ananda Vinaykar and located near the IIT campus, and the only temple in the world with a unique idol called “Adhiyantha Prabhu” whose one part is Lord Ganesha and another part is Lord Hanuman. Other shrines of Lord Shiva, Vinayaka, Vishnu, Anjaneya is also present here.
Address: Sardar Patel Rd, Sriram Nagar, Tharamani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600113, India
How to reach: Kasturba Nagar railway station is the nearest junction and also, all modes of transport are well connected.
Timings: 5:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Best time to visit: throughout the year.
Top Attractions: Unique idol and craftsmanship.
Kandha Kottam
Located on one of the busiest streets of Chennai, this temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the warrior God. The absolute example of the beautiful decoration and splendid of Chennai temples. It is spread over 8 acres of land
and a truly beautiful temple in the city. A special south-style puja on the day of Thursday takes place and it’s very special.
Address: 44, Rasappa Chetty Street, Rasappa Chet10. Kalikambal Temple Street, Chennai
How to reach: The closest stations to Kanda Kottam Murugan Temple are: Broadway is 779 meters away, 10 min walk.,High Court is 885 meters away, 12 min walk. The train is EMU local and Metro line is Blue line.
Timings: 6:00 to 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Temple Website: http://kandhakottam.tnhrce.in/
Best time to visit: throughout the year.
Top Attractions: structures and magnificent inscriptions.
Kalikambal temple
Another most famous temple in the city devoted to Goddess Shakti and located in Thambu Chetty Street which was originally located near the sea, but later shifted. The Goddess Kamakshi is now worshipped here which is believed to be as calm and composed as earlier who believed to be as fierce. The Maratha ruler Shivaji visited here in 1667.
Address: 212, Thambu Chetty Street, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001, India
How to Reach: Through various local buses and the Metro Blue line and the nearest stop is Chennai Beach Railway Station.
Timings: 6:00 to 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Best time to visit: In the month of Vaikasi(April).
Top Attractions: Shrines of Navagrahas and local deities.
Though whenever we visit any city, we definitely think why to go to temples? But, one thing I must say, Temples are the shreds of evidence of the rich dialects, culture, the tradition of our country and we should visit some beyond expectations spectacular artistic inscriptions which well define our history and as well as to connect yourself with spirituality. So, I hope you will enjoy the time spending in Temples and find peace there.
