Top 15 Famous Temples in Tamilnadu: Discover the Spiritual Heritage

Famous Temples in Tamilnadu: Tamil Nadu also known as the city of temples is one of the Highly religious states located on the southern side of India.

Being in vogue for fascinating cultures, rich history, and incredible architecture, Tamil Nadu is also famous for its magnificent temples.

The Dravidian, Pallava, and Chola emperors built many famous temples in Tamilnadu which attract a large number of pilgrims and tourists from all around the world.

The elaborate architecture, magnificent sculptures, and spectacular carvings of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu are worth visiting once in life.

Tamilnadu is also considered one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tamil Nadu is the most sacred and religious state in all of South India, where millions of devotees and tourists visit and flock to visit every year.

In this blog, we are gonna explore the top 15 famous temples in Tamilnadu. Discover the spiritual heritage with 99Pandit to experience the feeling of divinity.

List of Top 15 Famous Temples in Tamilnadu

Tamilnadu is known for its beautiful temples. Almost all the temples in Tamil Nadu were built during the medieval period. These temples are excellent examples of the cultural heritage of India.

So here we are going to explore the top 15 beautiful temples situated in Tamil Nadu:

1. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
2. Kumari Amman Temple, Kanyakumari
3. Ramanathswamy Temple, Rameshwaram
4. Sri Laxmi Narayanan Golden Temple, Vellore
5. Bala Murugan Temple, Siruvapuri
6. Navapashanam Temple, Devipattinam
7. Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
8. Kapaleeswarar Temple, Chennai
9. Natraj Temple, Chidamaram
10. Arunachaleshwar Temple, Tiruvannamalai
11. Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil
12. Naganatha Swamy Temple, Thirunashwaram
13. Sri Ranganathswamy Temple, Tiruchirapalli
14. Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur
15. Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple, Mannargudi

1. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

The cultural capital of Tamil Nadu Madurai has many such temples, which people come from far and wide to visit.

The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is famous for its magnificent architecture and ancient mythology.

Meenakshi Temple, located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai city, is dedicated to Meenakshi, the wife of Lord Shiva.

It is said that Lord Shiva came here to marry Meenakshi, daughter of Sundareshwar King Mallyadhwaj.

Architectural Treasure

The temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. Meenakshi temple has 12 entrance gates 40 meters high, on which wonderful pictures of gods and goddesses are made.

The temple also has 14 gopurams and 985 pillars. The statues of Goddess Lakshmi are carved on the eight pillars of the temple. The temple was restored in the 16th century during Natak’s rule.

Darshan Timings

Meenakshi Temple opens daily at 5:00 am and closes at 12:30 pm. In the evening this temple remains open for darshan from 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

2. Kumari Amman Temple, Kanyakumari

Kumari Amman Temple in Kanyakumari is about 3000 years old. Devi is present in the form of a young girl holding a rosary in her right hand.

It symbolizes spirituality and tradition. In this temple, Goddess Kumari Amman is being worshipped as a deity symbolizing purity and innocence.

According to popular beliefs, Goddess Shakti had taken this avatar to destroy the Demon King Banasura. This is one of the 51 Shaktipeetha.

The main attraction here is the diamond nose ring of the deity. Legends have it that the glow from the nose ring guides sailors.

Architectural Treasure

The temple has a marvellous architecture that speaks of a rich tapestry of history.

It combines features from diverse dynasties that have shaped its design over the period. The history is as interesting as the beauty of the temple.

Kanyakumari Temple is surrounded by strong stone walls. The primary entrance to the temple is through the northern gate.

The eastern gate of the temple is maintained locked on most of the days.

It is opened only on special occasions and days such as the new moon days during the month of Vrischikam, Edava, and Karkidakam.

Darshan Timings

Kumari Amman Temple opens daily at 4:30 am and closes at 12:30 pm. In the evening this temple remains open for darshan from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

The darshan time for Kumari Amman Temple may vary during the festival time.

3. Ramanathswamy Temple, Rameshwaram

Ramanathswamy Temple in Rameshwaram is one of the four primary pilgrimage sites for all the Hindus across the world and the crowds of pilgrims throng every day.

This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is devoted to lord Shiva. It is believed that the Lingam was created by Maa Sita and placed here to worship Lord Shiva by Lord Ram.

According to mythology, Lord Rama worshipped the Shivalinga here to seek forgiveness from Lord Bholenath after killing Ravana and since then this place has been known as a famous pilgrimage site.

Architectural Treasure

Situated on the serene island of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, the structure of this temple is believed to have been built during the 12th century CE by the Pandya rulers.

The tallest of its 4 Gopurams stands at the height of 126 feet meters and is built in typical Dravidian style.

The temple is also recognized for housing the longest corridor hall in India made of almost 1000 intricately carved granite pillars.

A gigantic figure of Nandi 6 m tall also has a lot to catch the glances of one and all.

Darshan Timing

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, which is also popularly known as Rameshwaram Temple, is open between 5 AM and 1 PM and evening time between 3 PM and 9 PM. It is open every day for darshan throughout the week.

4. Sri Laxmi Narayani Golden Temple, Vellore

The Sri Laxmi Narayani Golden Temple in Vellore is also known as the Sripuram Golden Temple.

As the name suggests this temple is dedicated to Maa Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and the temple is entirely built with pure gold which makes it famous as the Golden Temple in Tamilnadu.

It was on 24th August 2007, that Narayani Amma performed the inauguration function.

A ‘Spiritual Oasis’ houses this golden temple with a star-shaped pathway to access the site for visitors.

Its outstanding carving, sculptures, artwork, and exquisite lighting further give it a unique charm.

This Golden Temple in Tamil Nadu is surrounded by water and offers a magnificent sight to behold during the night. The temple is one of its kind in the world.

Architecture Glory

Every part of this temple is completely covered with original gold foil manufactured from actual gold bars.

The only human-made art in this world found to be here is the sculptures created on the main roof and wonderfully decorated pillars on the main halls.

This temple will be placed inside a plot size of more than 100 acres which includes that park as well.

Altogether, approximately 1500 Kg of gold was used inside and outside coverings of this temple.

The pictures were copied from the holy Vedas when the temple was being constructed.

Darshan Timing

As per the guidelines of the Tamilnadu government, the temple is open for darshan from 08.00 AM To 07.30 PM for all days with respective timings.

5. Bala Murugan Temple, Siruvapuri

In Tamil Nadu, there are several famous Murugan Temples. Among the most popular temples, the Bala Murugan Temple in Siruvapuri is the one.

Murugan is another name of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati.

The complex of temples is more than 500 years old and is known among devotees to fulfil their wishes.

Therefore, hundreds of devotees visit the Murugan Temple in Tamilnadu every day to worship Lord Kartikeya and make a wish for it.

In addition to that, the temple complex features a shrine for Lord Murugan and his consort Devi Valli in wedlock. Couples praying to get married also visit here.

Architectural Treasure

This Bala Murugan temple in Siruvapuri is an exquisite piece of classic Dravidian art.

Vibrant sculptures of various deities, celestial bodies, and other mythical characters with precision minute details and colours are seen adorning the towering Gopuram.

Explore ornate stone carvings that exist inside the inner sanctum of the temple, where Lord Murugan depicts himself in all dynamical forms, even powerful warrior postures.

In every corner of the temple are symbolic representations and ancient forms of artistry.

Darshan Timing

The darshan timings of Bala Murugan temple are given as follows:
Temple Morning hours: 06.00 AM – 01.00 PM
Afternoon: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

6. Navapashanam Temple, Devipattinam

The Navapshanan Temple in Devipattinam is one of the Navgraha Temple. This temple is dedicated to one of the planetary deities.

The Navapshanan Temple is considered highly important because all the nine planetary deities can be worshipped at the same time.

It is also a renowned Hindu Pilgrimage site along with the Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameshwaram, and the Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple in Thiruppullani.

According to faith, the temples of the deities of Planets at this Navagraha in Tamil Nadu were constructed by Lord Ram-an incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself.

Architectural Treasure

The Navapashanam Temple is located a few meters into the sea near the shore of the village, and the installed stones represent the nine planets.

The Navagrahas can be seen partly submerged in the sea but close to the beach, near the bathing ghat of the Thilakeshwar Temple, also called the Navagraha Temple.

Formerly, pilgrims had to trek into the sea to reach Navapashanam Temple. Later cement bridge was laid to connect the submerged Navagrahas Temple.

Darshan Timing

The Navapashanam Navagrahas Temple opens for darshan from morning 4:00 am–1:00 pm and the evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

7. Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Ekamareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.

This temple is counted among the five ‘Panch Bhoota Sthalas’ meaning five elements of the universe.

The temple is dedicated to the element, Earth, and holds great significance for devotees of Lord Shiva.

The devotees worship the temple in the form of Lord Shiva, Ekambareswarar, or Ekambaranathar, both in the form of a Lingam and an idol Prithvi Lingam.

According to legend, Goddess Parvati used to worship Lord Shiva in the form of Prithvi Lingam (Shiva Lingam made of sand) at this place, under a mango tree.

The lord, impressed by this gesture, materialized in person and married the Goddess.

Architectural Treasure

The temple is said to be in existence since 600 AD but the current structure dates back to the 11th-12th centuries.

The temple architecture displays a typical Shaivite structure with a high Gopuram and 5 concentric enclosures.

The 1000 pillared hall decorated with carvings of 1008 Shiva Lingam is said to have been added by the Vijayanagara kings in the 15th century. The inner sanctum contains the Prithvi Lingam.

Darshan Timing

Ekamareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram opens daily at 6:00 am and closes at 12:30 pm. In the evening this temple remains open for darshan from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

8. Kapaleeswarar Temple, Chennai

Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Chennai is one of the famous temples of Tamil Nadu dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consent Goddess Parvati.

In this temple, several kinds of worship and festivals are organized.

The Kapaleshwar Temple has stone gopuram pillars and magnificent entrance gates made with stone carvings. This design mesmerizes the tourists.

Architectural Treasure

The architecture of this temple is traditional Dravidian. The main feature of the temple is an impressive gopuram, which is a tower at the entrance of the temple, closely carved with sculptures of gods, goddesses, and other mythological creatures.

The inner sanctum carries the central deity, Lord Shiva, in the name of Kabaleeswarar, but it is also considered to have been built by the Pallavas in the 7th century AD.

Renovation and expansion of this temple have occurred many times throughout history.

Darshan Timing

The darshan timings of Kapaleeswarar temple are open daily at 5:30 am and close at noon.

In the evening this temple remains open for darshan from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

9. Natraj Temple, Chidamaram

The Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram is dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal.

This is one of the famous temples in Tamilnadu where both the Vaishnavite and Shaivite deities are worshipped in the same place.

The Nataraj Temple Chidambaram is also called Thillai Nataraj Temple. It has a great mythological past. When the town was Thillai, there used to be a shrine of Shiva in the temple.

Presently, Chidambaram is the city where the temple is located which means “thought-wrapped one” or “atmosphere of wisdom.”.

Architectural Treasure

This architectural wonder of the Nataraja Temple reflects the junction between the two most potent worlds, the art world, and spirituality.

This temple was built back in the 10th Century when Chidambaram served as the capital of the Chola dynasty.

This temple boasts five prime Halls or Sabhas; the Kanaka Sabha, Cit Sabha, Nritta Sabha, Deva Sabha, and Raja Sabha.

Darshan Timing

The Nataraja Temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. every day.

10. Arunachaleshwar Temple, Tiruvannamalai

Sri Arunachaleshwar temple in Tiruvannamalai is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthals where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of fire and the Shivlinga installed here is called Agni Lingham.

This temple is located on the Annamalai Hill in Tiruvannamalai. Lord Shiva is also worshipped as Bhootnath.

Bhootnath means the lord of the five elements of the universe, earth, water, fire, air, and sky.

Five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva as the lord of these five elements have been established in five cities of South India.

The temples of Shiva are considered equally important as the twelve Jyotirlingas constructed all over India.

They are collectively called Panch Mahabhoota Sthal. This Sri Arunachaleshwar temple is one of them.

Architectural Treasure

Sri Arunachaleshwara Temple is the largest temple of Lord Shiva in the world. It is considered the eighth-largest temple in India due to its spread over an area of ​​​​about 24 acres.

Granite and other precious stones have been used for the construction of the temple.

This east-facing temple has four entrances and four large gopurams have been built here, out of which the largest gopuram is also called ‘Raja Gopura’, whose height is about 217 feet and it is the third largest entrance gate in India.

Sri Arunachaleshwara Temple also has a hall of a thousand pillars, which was built by King Krishnadeva Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire. A total of 8 Shivlingas are installed on the way to the main temple.

Darshan Timing

The Sri Arunachaleshwar temple in Tiruvannamalai is open from 5:30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day.

11. Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil

Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil is dedicated to the serpent king Vasuki.

This temple worships a five-headed Naga God and people from various areas flock there mainly on Sundays.

There a special Pooja is done wherein milk and turmeric are given to the god.

Many Jain Tirthankar images are there, carved in different pillars inside the Sri Nagaraja Temple.

Here, Nagas like Vasuki, Sesha, and Mansa, among others, reside.

Architectural Treasure

The architecture of the Nagarraja Temple is pretty simple with sculptures and images of various snakes adorning the walls, trees, and ponds around.

The central sanctum holds the deity and is protected by two colossal statues of five-headed serpents.

Inside the temple premises, you will also find Shivling and the idol of Vishnu on Anant Shayana’s position.

Darshan Timing

The Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil is open from 5:00 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day.

12. Naganatha Swamy Temple, Thirunashwaram

The Naganatha Swamy Temple in Thirunageshwaram is one of the famous temples of Tamilnadu.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as Naganathaswamy.

This Temple is also known as Rahu Sthalam as planet Rahu is present with his two wives- Nagavalli and Nagakanni and can be seen in a human form, and planet Rahu is visualized as a serpent.

One of the unique features of the temple is the presence of a sacred tank, which is believed to have healing powers.

The water from the tank is used in the main deity’s abhishekam, or ritual bathing, and is believed to cure several ailments.

Architectural Treasure

The architecture of Naganatha Swamy temple is a blend of the Dravidian and Chola styles, and its grandeur and magnificence reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The temple complex is spread over a large area and houses several other deities, including Lord Murugan, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Dakshinamurthy.

Darshan Timing

The Naganatha Swamy Temple timings are from 06:00 AM to 01:00 PM, and evening timings are from 04:00 PM to 09:05 PM.

13. Sri Ranganathswamy Temple, Tiruchirapalli

Sri Ranganathaswamy temple is located in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu. This temple is one of the top 15 famous temples in Tamilnadu.

Lord Vishnu in the form of Ranganathaswamy is lying in a reclined position on the five-headed serpents.

The temple has wonderful architecture with gorgeous carvings. This is one of the best temples to visit in Tamil Nadu.

Architectural Treasure

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirapalli is a beautiful example of Dravidian architecture.

It is situated on the Srirangam Island of the city of Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu.

With 49 sub-shrines scattered over more than 150 acres of land and 21 excellently sculpted Gopurams, that house the main one or the ‘RajaGopuram’, standing 236 ft tall, thus standing as the tallest Gopurams in Asia.

The architecture, carvings, sculptures, and frescoes of the temple, even to this day, provide a wonderful insight into the magnificent skills of architects, sculptors, and artisans of the then era.

Darshan Timing

Sri Ranganathswamy Temple opens for darshan from morning 6:00 am to 7:30 am, then 9:00  am to 12:00 pm, after this 1:15 pm to 6:00 pm, and 6:45 to 9:00 pm.

14. Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur

The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur is a beautiful and mesmerizing abode to Lord Shiva and is situated in Tamilnadu state of India. This temple is one of the largest temples in India.

The temple was built by the Chola dynasty in the 11th century AD. The Brihadeeswarar Temple stands tall as a testimony to the opulence and grandeur of the Chola rulers.

The Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and invites hundreds of thousands of devotees and tourists every year.

Architectural Treasure

The Brihadeeswara Temple was built during the Chola dynasty in the 11th century AD.

It is the first temple which is built with granite. The temple tower is 216 ft long which is the world’s tallest temple tower.

The ‘Kumbam‘ or the apex structure on top of the Vimana, weighing 80 tonnes carved from a single granite, adds to the glory of the entire edifice.

Darshan Timing

The Brihadeeswara Temple timings are from 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and evening timings are from 04:00 PM to 08:30 PM.

15. Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple, Mannargudi

The Rajagopala Swamy Temple in Mannargudi is one of the most popular temples in Tamil Nadu. This temple is dedicated to the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

It is known as Guruvayoor among Hindus. This is one of the most popular Vaishnavite temples in India.

This temple is dedicated to Rajagopalaswamy, an avatar of Lord Krishna.

Inside the sanctum of the temple, there stands a 7-foot-high icon of Vasudeva with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoodevi.

The temple covers an area of 23 acres and is one of the most important Vaishnavite shrines in India.

Rajagopalaswamy Temple also has a temple tank which is one of the biggest temple tanks in India.

Architectural Treasure

The architecture of the temple consists of 24 shrines, 7 Mandapams, 9 Teerthams, 16 Gopurams, and 7 Prakarams erected by Kulothunga Chola I.

The architectural grandeur of Cholas and Thanjavur Nayaks can be well understood from the carvings in the temple complex.

The present shrine, along with a 1000-pillard corridor and the giant compound wall was built by Vijaya Raghava Nayak.

Darshan Timing

The Sri Rajagopalaswamy temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Conclusion

Ready to explore the most beautiful and famous temples in Tamil Nadu? If you are a history enthusiast, an architecture admirer, or want to explore the rich culture and heritage of India then the religious places of Tamilnadu are the best site you can choose.

Thousands of temples spread across Tamil Nadu are visited every year by hundreds of pilgrims and tourists.

The above list of the top 15 famous temples in Tamilnadu is just a combination of some of the best places of pilgrimage the state has in store for you.

A visit to a few of these temples can be a very spiritual and divine experience. It is certainly a ‘must visit’ on your pilgrimage tour to South India.

Just keep one thing in mind before visiting these pious shrines that you are dressed properly and have a respectful attitude towards the religious beliefs of the people there.

Last but not the least– beware of fake guides and pickpockets. Happy journey!