Famous Temples in Chennai - A Glimpse Into The Tamilian Culture

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, situated in Mylapore, Southern Chennai, is a renowned Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Dating back to the 7th century during the Pallava Dynasty, it holds historical significance, with mentions in the Puranas and by Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemy. The temple sees a significant influx of visitors during the Panguni Peruvizha festival in March and April, with daily pujas conducted six times a day.

Timings:  5:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Located in Chennai's historic George Town, Chennakesava Perumal Temple is one of the city's oldest temples, dating back to the 1700s. Dedicated to Chennakesava Perumal, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, it boasts intricately carved pillars, doorways, and sculptures honoring Manali Saravana Mudaliyar and Manali Krishnaswami Mudaliar for their service. According to local legends, the city of Chennai is named after this temple, where daily poojas are held three times a day.

Timings: 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Kalikambal, located in George Town on Thambu Chetty Street, is a famous temple in Chennai devoted to Hindu Goddess Kamakshi and Lord Kamateswarar. It also houses local deities and a shrine dedicated to the Navagrahas (nine planets). The temple, believed to be constructed by the Viswakarma clan, attracts devotees, especially during festivals like Vaikasi, Navratri, and Vasant Navratri, with daily poojas performed four times a day.

Timings: 6:00 to 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Parthasarathy Temple, located in Triplicane on the Bay of Bengal coast, dates back to the 8th century. Constructed by Narasimhavarman I of the Pallava Dynasty, it's one of Chennai's oldest temples, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in various avatars. The temple's inscriptions, sculptures, and murals reflect its historical significance.

Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Closed Sundays

Marundeeswarar Temple, located in Chennai's Thiruvanmiyur neighborhood, is known for its healing powers. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Marundeeswar and houses shrines for Lord Ganesha, Goddess Thirupurasundari, and various Shiva avatars. This ancient temple, with origins dating back to the 7th-8th century, is a popular destination for its healing prasadam, drawing crowds during Shivratri, Skanda Sashti, Vinayaka Chaturthi, and Panguni Uttiram in March.

Timings: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Ekambareswarar Temple in George Town, Chennai, is a lesser-known gem, often overlooked amidst the busy Mint Street area. It was constructed in the 1680s by Alanganatha Pillai, the chief merchant of the British East India Company. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Ekambareswarar) and features sculptures, shrines, and idols of various deities, along with a 300-year-old Arasa tree. It hosts numerous festivals and daily poojas, following the Kaarana Nagama Pooja System.

Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Vadapalani Andar Temple in Chennai is a significant pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Muruga, known as the god of war. The temple hosts various deities, and it's a popular location for marriage ceremonies and Lord Murugan worship in Chennai. Festivals and daily poojas draw large crowds, with Artha Sama Pooja on Tuesdays and Fridays being a notable event.

Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The Ashtalakshmi Temple, situated in Besant Nagar on Eliot's Beach, is dedicated to goddess Lakshmi and features separate shrines for each avatar. It is the only temple dedicated to Mahalakshmi and has undergone a noteworthy renovation, making it a popular attraction for both tourists and locals. Daily poojas occur six times a day, and various festivals, including Navratri and Deepavali, are celebrated with grandeur.

Timings: 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, this unique Chennai temple was built in 1974 to meet the needs of devotees visiting Sabarimala during the Mandalam season. It now attracts pilgrims and hosts daily Annadanam for the less fortunate. The temple hosts various ceremonies throughout the year, making it a place of constant devotion.

Timings: 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Karaneeswarar Temple in Saidapet, Chennai, is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is known for its Gopathi Saras tank, believed to have healing powers on full moon nights. The temple also features shrines for various deities, hosts annual festivals, and conducts daily poojas, attracting a significant crowd, especially during Pradosham days and Brahmotsavam.

Timings: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Kandakottam Temple in Chennai is a popular and historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, the god of war. Dating back to the 1670s, it has seen several renovations and serves as a hub for charity, providing free medicine and education. The temple hosts various annual festivals and daily poojas, with Thursdays featuring a special song and Jothi Darshanam.

Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 4:00 PM to 9:45 PM

Thirumalai Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple, located in the T Nagar area next to Swami Pushkarini Lake, is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It's a popular Vaishnavite temple, particularly crowded on weekends, and features stunning gopurams. The temple follows daily rituals starting with a 3 AM morning pooja and concluding with the Ekanta Seva at 8 PM.

Timings: 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Shri Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Mandir is a beautiful white Jain temple that stands out in the Sowcarpet area of Chennai. This temple is unlike other Hindu temples of Chennai, constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture and its complete white exteriors make it easy to spot as well. This temple is a very popular temple, visited by locals and tourists. Its style of architecture resembles the Dilwara temples of Rajasthan and has beautiful carvings on pillars made from limestone, marbles, and soapstone. 

Timings: 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Chennai's Mylapore area, affiliated with the Shirdi Charitable Trust Organization, was built in 1952 by devotee Narasimha Swami. It's also the headquarters of the All India Sai Samaj, a venerable organization spreading Sai Baba's teachings. The temple, constructed with white marble, features a pristine white idol of Sai Baba, as well as shrines for other deities, and houses the tomb of Narasimha Swami. Devotees gather in large numbers on Thursdays and during festivals like Navratri, Guru Purnima, Ram Navami, and Narasimha's birth anniversary.

Timings: 5:45 AM to 2:00 PM & 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Everyday except Thursday)

Chennai hosts nine Navagraha Temples, dating back to the Chola dynasty from the 7th to the 11th century. These temples, scattered around the city's outskirts, are dedicated to the nine planets or deities. While most have Lord Shiva as the main deity, one, Suryanar Kovil in Kumbakonam, is dedicated to the Sun God.

Timings: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM

Kamakshi Amman Temple in Chennai's Mangadu neighborhood is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, representing nature, love, and life. The temple showcases Chola-period architecture and hosts daily poojas, with special significance during the Tamil New Year and the Gregorian New Year. The temple's golden chariot is a highlight, paraded in the evenings.

Timings: 5:30 AM to 12:15 PM, 4:00 PM to 8:15 PM

Adeeswar Temple, located on the outskirts of Chennai, is a Jain Temple dedicated to Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankara. With origins dating back to the Pallava Dynasty, it features historical inscriptions. In recent years, it has gained popularity as a tourist spot and is reminiscent of the Sabarimala temple.

Timings: 6 AM to 8:30 PM

Madhya Kailash Temple, located in South Chennai near IIT Chennai, is dedicated to Venkata Ananda Vinayakar. Its main attraction is the unique 'Adhiyantha Prabhu' idol, combining Lord Ganesha and Hanuman, said to be divinely inspired. The temple also honors deities like Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Lord Surya, and is locally known as Nadukkayilai.

Timings: 5:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Anjaneya Swamy temple in Nanganallur, Chennai, is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Constructed in 1989, it features a 32-foot idol of Hanuman carved from a single rock and also houses shrines for other deities. The temple is adorned during festivals like Ram Navami and Hanumanth Jayanthi, drawing crowds during morning and evening poojas, especially on weekends.

Timings: 5:00 A.M to 12:00, 4:30 P.M to 9:00 P.M

The ISKCON Temple in South Chennai, located on the East Coast Road in Akkarai, is the largest Radha and Krishna temple in Tamil Nadu, built in 2012. It houses idols of Radha, Krishna, Lalitha, Vishaka, Lord Chaitanya, Baladeva, Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath, promoting spiritual focus and offering books and discourses. Visit during the auspicious month of Purushottam and the temple's birth anniversary for a unique experience.

Timings: 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 4:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Unearthed by the tsunami in 2004, the Saluvankuppam Murugan Temple dates back to 3rd Century BC. It was discovered by the Archaeology department in 2005 and findings say that the temple has two layers - one was a brick temple constructed in the Sangam period (3rd century BC to 3rd century AD) and the other was a granite Pallava temple, belonging to 8th century AD. The temple is the oldest shrine Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu. The site was vandalized by unidentified people in 2018.

Arulmigu Ramanatheswarar Temple, situated in Chennai, is a sacred Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known for its intricate Dravidian architecture, the temple attracts devotees seeking spiritual solace and architectural marvels. Open to visitors throughout the week, the temple is a serene destination for both religious rituals and cultural exploration.

Timings: 6:00-1:30 PM and 4:30-8:00 PM

Anjaneyaswami Temple in Chennai, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, is a revered spiritual site known for its tranquil ambiance and intricate architecture. The temple attracts devotees seeking blessings and solace, with its main deity, Lord Hanuman, enshrined in a sacred sanctum. Located in the heart of Chennai, it stands as a cultural and religious landmark.

Timings: 5:00-12:00 PM and 4:30-9:00 PM

Kadha Kottam, located in Chennai, is a cultural hub known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse range of artistic performances. This space serves as a gathering point for artists, musicians, and enthusiasts, fostering a community dedicated to the promotion of traditional and contemporary arts. With its eclectic events and collaborative spirit, Kadha Kottam has become a dynamic venue that celebrates Chennai's cultural richness.

Timings: 6:00-9:45 PM

Kandaswamy Temple, situated in Chennai, is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Kartikeya. Renowned for its Dravidian architecture, the temple is adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant sculptures, attracting both devotees and architecture enthusiasts. Devotees often visit to seek blessings and participate in religious ceremonies.

Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:45 PM

Varasiddhi Vinayagar Temple in Chennai is a renowned Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Located in Besant Nagar, South Chennai, the temple is a spiritual haven for devotees seeking blessings and solace. With its vibrant rituals and serene ambiance, the Varasiddhi Vinayagar Temple stands as a popular pilgrimage site in the heart of the city.

Timings: 5:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Nandeeswarar Temple, located in Chennai, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Renowned for its intricate architecture and spiritual ambiance, the temple attracts devotees seeking blessings and a tranquil place for worship. Situated in the heart of the city, the Nandeeswarar Temple stands as a cultural and religious landmark.

Timings: 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Kumaran Kundram, situated in Chennai, is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site known for its ancient Subramanya Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. Nestled atop a hillock, the temple provides devotees with a serene spiritual experience and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Pilgrims often visit to seek blessings and participate in religious ceremonies.

Timings: 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Sri Prasanna Venkata Narasimha Perumal Temple in Chennai is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Known for its architectural beauty and spiritual ambience, the temple attracts devotees seeking blessings and solace. Located in the heart of Chennai, the temple stands as a cultural and religious landmark.

Timings: 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM

The Sri Balaji Temple, situated in Chennai, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Known for its stunning Dravidian architecture, the temple attracts devotees seeking blessings and spiritual solace. Visitors can experience the temple's serene ambiance and participate in various religious rituals.

Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM