Updated May 30, 2023
Chennai
Chennai is one of the most attractive cities that has it all, including lakes, towers, galleries, malls, and bustling roads. However, they aren’t the sole features that define Chennai; other ancient temples also add to the city’s attractiveness. The city has many temples, a few of which dates a long time back and have the utmost priority. Due to its magnificent design, Chennai’s prominent temples draw both tourists and locals.
Best 8 Temples in Chennai
Look at some of Chennai’s most beautiful temples that visitors must visit.
#1 Kapaleeswarar Temple
Amongst Chennai’s most well-known temples is Kapaleeshwarar Temple, which is present in the city’s southern portion in Mylapore. It honors the Goddess Parvati in the form of a peacock, also known locally as Karpagambal and Lord Shiva. This temple’s history begins in the seventh century AD under the Tondaimandalam rule.
- Famous for God: Shiva
- Morning Time: 5:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Evening Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Major Festival: Panguni Peruvizha
- Architectural Style: Dravidian
#2 Chennakesava Perumal Temple
One of Chennai’s ancient temples is Chennakesava Perumal Temple, which is present in the city’s ancient Black Town neighborhood. Chennakesava Perumal Temple was the very first temple constructed nearby in the 17th century and acted as a wall dividing the city’s core from the British East India Company (BEIC) outpost of Fort St. George.
- Famous for God: Vishnu
- Morning Time: 07:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Evening Time: 05:00 PM – 08:30 PM
- Major Festival: Rathotsava
- Architectural Style: Karnataka
#3 Ekambareswarar Temple
Another temple in the vicinity of Parry’s Corner is the Ekambareswarar Temple. The British East India Company’s head trader, Alanganatha Pillai, built the temple in the 1680s, which is when it was first built. The temple is always bustling with engagement throughout the year as various celebrations of festivals occur.
- Famous for God: Shiva
- Morning Time: 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Evening Time: 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Major Festival: Panguni Uthiram
- Architectural Style: Dravidian
#4 Marundeeswarar Temple
Marundheeswarar, one of Chennai’s highly famous temples, according to researchers, the construction of the temple is about the eleventh century. Lord Shiva is popular in this place as Marundheeswarar, the healer of all ills. Rishi Valmiki is popular to have prayed to Lord Rama beneath the sacred Vanni tree, visible in the 1-acre expansive temple yard.
- Famous for God: Shiva
- Morning Time: 5 AM–12 PM
- Evening Time: 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Major Festival: Shivaratri, Ganesh Chaturthi & Skanda Sashti
- Architectural Style: Tamil
#5 Kalikambal Temple
The relocation in the 17th century during the British Raj from its original location on the coast to Thambu Chetty Street in Black Town. Numerous residents regularly visit this temple, which is a dedication to the Hindu Goddess Kamakshi, an incarnation of Lord Kamateswarar and Parvati.
- Famous for God: Kamakshi
- Morning Time: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Evening Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Major Festival: Navratri
- Architectural Style: South-Indian Dravidian
#6 Vadapalani Andar Temple
A famous tourist destination in Chennai is the Vadapalani Andar Temple, which is present in the Vadapalani neighborhood. The temple is a devotion to the Hindu Lord Muruga, also known as the deity of battle and the child of Shiva and Parvati. The temple is the most well-liked place of devotion for Lord Murugan in Chennai and is frequently used for wedding ceremonies.
- Famous for God: Muruga
- Morning Time: 4:00 AM to 1:00 Pm
- Evening Time: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Major Festival: Panguni Kruthika Laksharchana
- Architectural Style: Traditional
#7 Karaneeswarar Temple
The Karaneeswarar Temple is present in Saidai, Chennai, on Karaneeswarar Koil Road. The shrine is next to the Saidai train station and is visible from the station’s front entrance. The worship of Sri Shiva as Karaneeswarar and Divine Mother Shakti as Swarnambigai at the Karaneeswarar Shrine.
- Famous for God: Shiva
- Morning Time: 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Evening Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Major Festival: Chitirai
- Architectural Style: Dravidian
#8 Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappan Temple
This shrine in Chennai is the only one of its type in the city and is a devotion to Ayyappan, the Hindu deity of development and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The construction of the temple happened in 1974 as a result of the demand created by the worship of individuals who traveled to Sabarimala during the Makaravilakku and Mandalam duration to perform the rite of Ayyappan Vilakku.
- Famous for God: Guruvayuraappan & Swami Ayyappan
- Morning Time: 5:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Evening Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Major Festival: Makara Villakku
- Architectural Style: Kerala style
Final Thoughts – Temples in Chennai
Chennai has so many Hindu temples because it is the center of the country of shrines. Nevertheless, the shrines named above receive the most visitors with excellent purpose. They are exquisitely made, but they also reflect the city’s way of life and devotion to the divine. Like several other significant locations in the nation, this enormous metropolis can pride itself on a history that predates even the contemporary nation of India.
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