Updated May 30, 2023
About Temples in Tamil Nadu
Temples tell the story of glorious pasts. They speak about cultures, history, bygone eras, architecture, values, customs, rituals, tales, etc. They are much more than just places of religious significance. One such place whose temples speak glory is Tamil Nadu. It not only has spiritual importance but also they have beautiful architecture. The mystical stories about the temples are delightful. They are the backbone of the Tamil and Dravidian cultures. They are jewels enriching the history of our country.
Must Visit Temples in Tamilnadu
Here is a list of Temples in Tamilnadu you can explore for a divine experience.
#1 Meenakshi Amman Temple
It is one of the most famous Temples in Tamilnadu. The temple is in Madurai. It has the shrine of Goddess Parvati, which is in the form of Meenakshi. The temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva, her consort, in the form of Sundareswara. It was first built in the 6th century, and Muslim invaders destroyed the temple and later got renovation in the 17th century by the Nayaka rulers. The architecture has a classic Dravidian style. It has richly decorated “Gopurams.” The temple has many intricately carved sculptures of gods, goddesses, and demons. It uniquely displays Hindu mythology tales. Tourists flock to the annual Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival, celebrated in the temple. It takes place during the month of April-May.
#2 Brihadeeswarar Temple
The temple is one of the greatest temples of the Chola dynasty. It is in the Thanjavur district. The temple dates back to the 11th century AD and reflects the era of the Chola dynasty. The creation of vimana tower that crosses the shrine is the tallest temple tower in the world. “Kumbam” is carved from a single granite and is 80 tonnes in weight. It is on the top of Vimana. The temple is a dedication to Lord Shiva. When you are in Tamil Nadu, you should miss the chance to see the brilliance of the architecture of the largest Chola temple.
#3 Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple
The temple is present in Mannargudi, one of India’s most famous Vaishnava temples. The temple is popular with the name Dakshina Dwaraka and Guruvayoor by Hindu people. The main highlight of the temple is Rajagopuram – 192 feet gateway tower. It has one of the largest tanks, called Haridra Nadhi. It soothes your soul. The temple is a dedication to Lord Krishna and is one of the grand abodes of Lord Krishna. The minute carvings are very mesmerizing. The temple holds a famous festival, the “Chariot Festival”. It happens in the month of March to April.
#4 Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
The temple dates back to the 7th – 8th century during the Pallav dynasty. The marvel of the beauty of architecture is visible even from a distance. The temple reflects the city’s Dravidian culture. It has pyramid shape tower on the sanctum. The temple is a dedication to Lord Shiva. The temple’s main attraction is the stone used in its construction, sandstone. There are 16-sided Shivling in the main sanctum made up of black granite. Along with these are 58 small Shiva shrines inside the temple complex. The temple has beautiful sculptures of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati with different dancing postures. Devotees come to see the grandeur of the Pallav dynasty and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, especially during the pious occasion of Mahashivratri.
#5 Adi Kumbeswarar Temple
The temple is a Chola dynasty masterpiece which got renovation by Govinda Dikshitar in the 16th century AD. It is familiar as the Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is a dedication to Lord Shiva. The Shiv Lingam in the temple is broad at the bottom and narrow as a needle at the top. There is also an idol of Goddess Mangalambika on the left side. Other shrines are Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan, and Lord Kiratamurati. There is Potramarai Tank in the complex. Devotees worldwide take holy baths in the water during the Mahamaham festival, which happens once every 12 years.
#6 Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
The complex is a beautiful blend of temple and township. It’s the co-existence of temple activities and township activities for humans. The temple is across an area of 150 acres. It is a dedication to Lord Vishnu. The temple has Dravidian-style architecture. It has 50 shrines and 21 carved gopurams, and the main “Rajagopuram” of 240 feet height. It is the tallest gopuram Present in Asia. The temple also has seven prakaras. The temple is among the 108 “Divya Desams.”
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