Famous Temples in Chennai

Chennai is also known as the ‘Cultural Capital of India’. It is home to some of the most magnificent temples of India, which depict cultural diversity and glorious past. The temples here are crafted with brilliant works of art and minute details that entwine to take a beautiful avatar. The architecture and decorations add charm to these stunning temples of Chennai. A large number of pilgrims visit a temple to offer prayers to the deity every year from all over the country. In many of Chennai’s temples, you will come across legends and miracles that give birth to unending faith.

Some of the popular temples of Chennai are Kapaleeswarar Temple, Parthasarathy Temple, Adeeswarar Temple, Ayyappan Temple, Kandaswamy Temple, and Vadapalani Temple that you should add to your itinerary during the Chennai tour. Here are some of the famous temples of Chennai:

1. Kapaleeswarar Temple:

One of the oldest temples of Chennai is Kapaleeswarar Temple, which is built in Dravidian style with an eye-catching colorful gopuram. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has massive significance for Shavaits. Lord Shiva is worshiped here as a lingam and his consort, Goddess Parvati depicted as Karpagambal. Arupamoothivar Festival is one of the most popular festivals in which you can also take part in the procession and witness the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Opening Hours: 5:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Closed on Monday
Address: 12, North Mada Street, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004, India

2. Marundeeswarar Temple:

Flanked by a beach of the Bay of Bengal, Marundeeswarar Temple is a holy site dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built in the 9th Century during the Chola dynasty reign. This temple is an architectural marvel and is believed to be a blend of Chola as well as Pallava dynasty art. There are other smaller shrines as well in the temple complex, which are of Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan or Kartikeya. The temple comprises the idol of Lord Shiva in three forms namely Thyagaraja, Marundeeswarar, and Nataraja. It is among the popular temples of Chennai, which are visited by a large number of pilgrims.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Address: 8, W Tank St, Lalitha Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600041

3. Ekambareswarar Temple:

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ekambareswarar Temple is located in Kanchipuram. It is a significant pilgrimage site among the people of the Hindu sect. Lord Shiva is worshiped here as Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar and is portrayed by the lingam. Goddess Parvati, his consort, is depicted as Elavarkuzhali. The temple also houses Nilathingal Thundam Perumal temple, which is one of the 108 Divya Desam. Panguni Uthiram is celebrated in Ekambareswarar Temple for 13 days, which is the most popular festival in Chennai.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Address: Ekambaranathar Sannathi St, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

4. Parthasarathy Temple:

It is another significant shrine of Chennai, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). This is a 6th-century Hindu temple and houses five forms of Lord Vishnu that are Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha and Krishna as Parthasarathy. This temple is one of the oldest structures in Chennai and is decorated with elaborate carvings. This temple was originally built by the Pallava king in 9th-Century, which was expanded by Chola kings and then in the 15th-Century, it was further expanded by the Vijayanagara king.

Opening Hours: 5:50 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Address: Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005

5. Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple:

This temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, who is also known as Lord Kartikeya, the elder son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Earlier, there was only an idol of Lord Murugan that was established in a thatched hut by his ardent devotee Annaswami Nayakar. In 1890, this temple was built on the same site and Annaswamy was the first priest of the shrine. The temple was renovated in 1920 and Rajgopuram was built at that time. The legend of Skanda Puranas depicted on the Rajagopuram, is a sight to behold.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Arulmigu Vadapalani Andavar Temple, Palani Andavar koil street, Vadapalani, Chennai – 600026

6. Kandhakottam Temple:

The official name of the temple is Kandaswamy Temple. However, it is popularly known as Kandhakottam Temple. This popular temple of Chennai is dedicated to Lord Murugan. It was originally constructed in 1670 by Maari Chettiar and later the temple was rebuilt in the 1800s with stone. Kandhakottam is spread over 8-acres of land and is associated with educational institutions for music and dance classes; primary and high schools; and a college.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 9:45 PM and 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Address: 38, 52, Nyniappa St, Rattan Bazaar, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003

7. Ramnatheswarar Temple:

This Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the presiding deity of the temple is known as Ramanatheswarar. Also known as Uttara Rameswaram, Ramnatheswarar Temple is equivalent to Rameswaram Temple. This is dedicated to one of the Navagrahas namely Guru. This famous temple in Chennai is being flocked by a large number of devotees who cannot go to Rameswaram. This is one of the most important temples in and around Chennai that has a history back to the Ramayana when Lord Rama found Shivalinga which was consecrated here. This is a must-visit place during the Chennai trip.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM to 08:30 PM
Location: 19, Eswaran Koil St, RE Nagar, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600116

8. Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple:

This is one of the most revered temples in India, which is thrived by a large number of devotees every year. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam is dedicated to Lord Balaji, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Nestled on the bank of Sri Swami Pushkarini, Tirupati Temple boasts intricate carving and architectural beauty that can leave anyone spellbound. This is a shrine of Lord Venkatachalapthi, which is similar to the temple of Sri Venkateswara in Tirupati. It is a part of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, whose headquarter is in Andhra Pradesh.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Location: No 26, Venkatanarayana Rd, Parthasarathi Puram, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017

9. Ashtalakshmi Temple:

Situated on the coast of Elliot Beach, Ashtalakshmi Temple is dedicated to the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi. This temple is a multi-tier complex and is constructed in such a marvelous way that a pilgrim can visit all the shrines without stepping over any of the santorum. The foundation of the temple was laid in 1974 and the consecration ceremony took place in 1976 in the presence of the 44th guru of the Ahobila Mutt Vedhantha Dhesika Yatheendhra Mahadhesikan Swami. This is among the popular Hindu temples in Chennai where a large number of devotees visit to seek blessings from Goddess Lakshmi.

Opening Hours: 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Address: Elliot’s beach, 6/21 Paindi Amman Kovil, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090

10. Adeeswar Temple:

Dedicated to Sri Rishabhdev or Adi Bhagwan, Adeeswar Temple reflects its roots from Jainism in South India. The spiritual surroundings of the temple make it among the best places to visit in Chennai to soak in the serene aura of this pristine place. This temple is believed to be constructed in the 1st century BC which is locally called Kesarwadi Jain Temple. Sri Rishabhdev was the first Tirthankar and is also known as Adeeswar, Adi Bhagavan, Adi Jain, and Adi Nath. The temple symbolizes the beginning and growth of Jainism in Tamil Nadu. Being close to Redhill Lake on the Grand Trunk Road makes it an accessible place for devotees and visitors.

Opening Hours: 5:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 05:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Location: Redhill Lake, GST Rd, St Anthony Nagar, Balaji Nagar, Puzhal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017