Now, you’re in Tamil Nadu and you want to learn about the culture and tradition surrounding the Tamil folk. But where can you learn or rather experience Tamil culture and tradition? Where can one observe the history and architecture of Tamil Nadu?
List of 15 Famous Temples in Tamilnadu
If a historical tour of Tamil Nadu is what you seek, then look no further. Perhaps you wish to go on a pilgrimage; traveling to various temples. Tamil Nadu is recognized as the temple state of India. This is because of the numerous temples that populate this land. So, a large tourist population can be expected to flock the state of Tamilnadu, just to witness its immense temples. Most of the temples are decades old and some are even centuries old.
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These temples tell the tale of Tamilnadu’s past, its culture, and its practices; traditions that are no longer. There are a lot of Famous Temples in Tamilnadu. The art sprawled across the temple walls tells tales of great kings, heroes, demons, and gods.
But these temples tell us more than just tales, they are the memoirs of a past civilization that once existed in Tamil Nadu. So more than being just a religious trip, this tour of Tamil Nadu is sure to be one that takes you on a historic journey!The list below can help satisfy all expectations that you might have regarding a trip to the temples of Tamil Nadu. This article is specially created to help you find the best and most famous temples in Tamil Nadu.
Below is a list of famous temples in Tamilnadu:
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15) Bannari Amman Temple, Sathyamangalam
The Bannari Amman temple is one of the most famous temples in Tamil Nadu that is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Amman. The Panguni Kundam festival is very specially celebrated at the Bannari Amman temple.
The temple has an interesting legend surrounding it, that is depicted by the wall art inside the temple. It is a temple that tourists cannot afford to miss out on.
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| Timing | 6 AM to 12.30 am and 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm |
| Holidays | No |
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14) Murugan Temple, Tiruchendur
The Thiruchendur Murugan temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Murugan. It is considered to be one of the 6 major abodes of Murugan. The temple is based on Dravidian architecture and is Biggest Old Temples In Tamilnadu.
The inside of the temple has wall art depicting the Dutch occupation of Tiruchendur, the Dutch stealing the main idol and the tale of how it was retrieved. The temple offers visitors an amazing historical and cultural experience.
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| Timing | 2.30 am to 7.30 pm |
| Holidays | Sat & Sunday |
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13) Annamalaiyar Temple, Tiruvannamalai
The Annamalaiyar temple is also known as the Arunachalesvara temple. The Annamalaiyar temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is located at the base of Arunachala hill. The Annamalaiyar temple represents the element of fire, Agni. The temple is sprawled across 10 hectares of land and is one of the top temples in Tamilnadu.
The temple has 4 gopurams on its 4 sides. Construction of the temple was first initiated by the Cholas during the 9th century. The temple was later expanded upon by the rulers of the Sangama, Saluva and Tuluva dynasties. The eastern tower of the temple is one of the tallest temple towers in India and it was constructed by the rulers of the Nayakar dynasty.
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| Timing | 5.30 am to 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm to 9.30 pm. |
| Holidays | No |
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12) Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval
The Jambukeswarar Temple is a temple that is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and it is one of the Best Hindu Temples In Tamilnadu. It was constructed by King Kochenga Chola of the Early Cholas, 1800 years ago. The Jambukeswarar Temple is located on Srirangam island. It is one of the 5 major temples of Tamil Nadu that is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
The Jambukeswarar temple represents the element of water, one of the 5 Mahabhuta or elements. The Jambukeswarar Temple is very famous in Tamilnadu map, especially concerning its architecture and aesthetics. The temple is an architectural masterpiece and is a temple worth visiting.
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| Timing | 5.30 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 9 pm |
| Holidays | Sat & Sunday |
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11) Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Rockfort
The Ucchi Pillayar temple is a 7th-century temple. This Hindu temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Ganesha (Pillayar). It is located at the top of Rockfort, Trichy. It is based on Dravidian architecture. The Ucchi Pillayar temple was completed during the Vijayanagara empire by the Nayaks of Madurai, but construction was initially started by the Pallavas.
The temple is a wonderful place to visit and the journey up is especially adventurous as it is located on a hill. The Ucchi Pillayar Temple receives a lot of pilgrims and tourists.
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| Timing | 6:00 am to 8 pm |
| Holidays | No |
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10) Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
The Meenakshi Amman is probably the most famous temple in Tamilnadu. It is also known as the Meenakshi-Sundareshwara temple or simply as Meenakshi temple. It is based on Dravidian architecture. The Meenakshi Amman temple was built by King Kulasekara Pandya between (1190 and 1216 CE). It is located in the center of the main Madurai town.
It is a very famous tourist destination and pilgrimage destination and it is also one of the Best Hindu Temples In Tamilnadu. It attracts lakhs of visitors every year. It is surrounded by street markets and is always the busy part of the city.
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| Timing | 9 am to 7 pm |
| Holidays | Sat & Sunday |
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9) Kumari Amman Temple, Kanyakumari
The Kumari Amman temple is dedicated to the virgin Goddess Devi Kanyakumari. The temple receives lakhs of pilgrims and tourists every year. This is especially because it is the only temple devoted to Devi Kanyakumari and it receives a lot of tourists for being the southernmost point in India and it is also Famous Temples in Tamilnadu.
There are lots of legends surrounding the Kumari Amman Temple which makes it an interesting place to visit. The Kumari Amman temple was visited by Swami Vivekananda in the year 1892, who was instructed by his guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, to get the blessings of the deity Devi Kanyakumari.
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| Timing | 6 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 8 pm. |
| Holidays | No |
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8) Palani Murugan Temple, Palani
The Palani Murugan temple is also known as Arulmigu Dandayudhapani Swami temple. It is one among six other temples that constitute ‘the Six Abodes of Murugan’. The temple is based on Dravidian style architecture and is believed to have existed since 300 AD.
The idol of Murugan, that is inside the temple, was created and consecrated by Bogar, one of Hinduism’s most revered Siddhas. The Palani Murugan Temple is famous for serving the panchamritam, a special sweet prepared at the temple and also by local retailers.
It is also famous old temples in Tamilnadu. Another fun fact regarding the Palani Murugan temple is that a survey in 2016 found it to be the richest temple in Tamil Nadu, with a collection of 33 crores as offerings and donations.
This can be cited to the huge pilgrim population that visits the temple every year. It is also famous for temples in Tamilnadu map.
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| Timing | 5 am to 10 pm. |
| Holidays | No |
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7) Narasimhaswamy Temple, Namakkal
The Narasimhaswamy temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu god Narasimha- an avatar of Vishnu. The temple is based on Dravidian style architecture and rock-cut architecture. The temple is believed by Historians to have been constructed by the Pandyas. What makes the Narasimhaswamy temple so special and unique is the fact that it was constructed against the side of a hill. The temple is located on the western flank of the hill, below the Namakkal Fort.
The temple is an amazing place to view Dravidian architecture: wall carvings and statues and this is why it is also one of the Famous Temples in Tamilnadu.
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| Timing | 7 am to 1 pm and 4.30 pm to 8 pm.. |
| Holidays | Sat & Sunday |
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6) Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur
The Thyagaraja temple is located in Tiruvarur. It is dedicated solely to the Hindu god Shiva in the avatar of Vanmiganathar. The Thyagaraja temple is one of the largest temples in India, encompassing around 30 acres of space.
The temple has 4 towers or gopurams, with the eastern tower being the tallest at 98 ft. The Thyagaraja temple was built in the 9th century during the Chola dynasty. Later on, the temple has had various extensions which were overseen by the Sangama dynasty, Saluva dynasty, and the Tuluva dynasty. It is also one of the most Famous Temples in Tamilnadu.
The Thyagaraja temple offers tourists ample edutainment and a nice walk. The temple is an active site for pilgrims.
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| Timing | 6 am to 8 pm. |
| Holidays | Sat & Sunday |
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5) Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
Located at Kanchipuram, the Ekambareswarar Temple is a Hindu temple that worships the Hindu god Shiva. It is also known as the Ekambaranathar temple. The temple complex extends up to 25 acres and is considered to be one of the largest temples in India. The temple was constructed and modified by the Pallava and Chola kings. The Ekambareswarar temple is based on Dravidian architecture. The temple is a magnificent piece of architecture, especially due to its beautiful and intricate wall carvings and stone statues.
Archaeologists believe that the temple has been in existence since 600 AD, thus making it a very ancient temple, probably one of the most famous old temples in Tamilnadu.
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| Timing | 6 am to 12.30 pm and 4 pm to 8.30 pm. |
| Holidays | Sat & Sunday |
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4) Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
The Thillai Nataraja temple is also known as the Chidambaram Nataraja temple or simply as the Nataraja temple. The Thillai Nataraja Temple is a very famous temple that worships Nataraja, an avatar of the Hindu god Shiva that specializes in dance. The temple was built in the 10th century and is one of the oldest, yet active temples in India. It is also one of the famous Biggest Old Temples In Tamilnadu.
The walls of the Thillai Nataraja temple are filled with dance postures that form the foundation for the traditional Indian dance form ‘Bharatanatyam’. The Thillai Nataraja temple was built during the Chola dynasty and has since withstood various invasions and demolitions. The temple is based on Dravidian style architecture but also draws inspiration from Malabar style.
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| Timing | 6 am to 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm to 10 pm. |
| Holidays | Sat & Sunday |
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3) Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Thanjavur
The Gangaikonda Cholapuram is located at Thanjavur. This village is of huge historical importance as it was once the capital of the Chola dynasty. It was set as the capital of the Chola dynasty by King Rajendra Chola I during 1025 AD.
The village is home to a Shiva temple and it is deemed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is why it has managed to mark a place for itself as Famous Temples in Tamilnadu.
The Chola dynasty was famed for its appreciation for art and architecture. The Gangaikonda Cholapuram now features the remains of a Chola palace, the felled fortress that once surrounded it, the temple and its magnificent architecture, and the wall carvings and statues in the temple.
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| Timing | 6 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm |
| Holidays | Sat & Sunday |
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The temple is well maintained and has ample spots to relax.
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2) Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
Ramanathaswamy temple is located on the island of Rameswaram. It has the longest corridor for a Hindu temple and a temple, in general, in the world. The Ramanathaswamy temple is specially created to pay respect to Lord Shiva. According to Hindu legend, the lingam inside the temple was built by Rama, the seventh avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu.
The temple was built by Pandya and Jaffna kings. It was extended in the 12th century AD. It is one of the 12 jyotirlinga temples in India. The Ramanathaswamy temple receives lakhs of tourists and pilgrims every year.
This is due to the combined significance of the Ramanathaswamy temple as an important pilgrimage destination and the tsunami memorials at Rameswaram.
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| Timing | 4.30 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 8.30 pm. |
| Holidays | No |
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1)Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
The first temple on the list is especially magnificent. Apart from its immense size and incredible architecture, this temple also has another surprising fact up its sleeve; the Brihadeeswarar temple is a millennium old.
The Brihadeeswarar temple is also known as Rajarajesvaram or Peruvudaiyar Kovil. The temple was built during the Chola dynasty by King Raja Raja Chola I. It is also one of the Biggest Old Temples In Tamilnadu.
The temple is entirely based on Dravidian architecture and it is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: ‘Great Living Chola Temples’. The Brihadeeswarar temple was built in the 11th century between 1003 AD and 1010 AD.
The walls surrounding the temple were built during the 16th century. The temple was built with granite. It is one of the largest temples in India and one of the most visited tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu. The Brihadeeswarar temple is one of the few remnants of the Chola empire. Hence a trip to this temple would surely taunt the history-lover in you. There are information boards at the temple that give tourists detailed information about the temple, its construction and the people who built it.
The temple has a lot of murals and inscriptions, for which the Archaeological Survey of India went through a lot of trouble to restore, which will undoubtedly fascinate tourists. The temple has enough shade for tourists to relax.
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| Timing | 6 am to 12.30 pm and 4 pm to 8.30 pm. |
| Holidays | No |
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Conclusion
But whatever the case, the temples of Tamil Nadu are sure to amaze and fascinate you. This is an experience that you cannot afford to miss out on. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your backpack, hop in and let’s head out to witness the famous temples of Tamil Nadu!