22-07-2024

15 Famous Temples in Chennai: Explore the Spiritual Landmarks

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is not only famous for its hustling and bustling urban life with its cultural heritage but has also exuded a rich spiritual legacy. This city is decorated with many ancient, revered temples that have attracted devotees and tourists alike. Each of these temples reflected exquisite architecture, historical significance, and deep-rooted traditions. Now, let us look at some of the famous temples in Chennai, each having its own unique charm and spirituality which one can explore during their trip to Chennai.

Kapaleeswarar Temple

One of the most famous temples in Chennai, this Lord Shiva temple is magnificent. This ancient temple is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture, characterised by its towering gopuram and intricate carvings on its walls and pillars.

Built in: 7th century CE
Built by: Pallavas
Address: Mylapore, Chennai

The beauty of the architecture at the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai represents history as well. Innumerable festivals have been hosted here, but the most prominent is the Arubathimooval Festival. This is one of the most important temples in Chennai for those seeking spiritual solace and architectural grandeur.

Suggested Read: Best Places to Visit in India during Monsoon

Parthasarathy Temple

Another famous temples in Chennai is the Parthasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna as Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata. It features in the 108 Divya Desams, which denote the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu.

Built in: 8th century CE
Built by: Pallavas
Address: Triplicane, Chennai

Here, Lord Krishna is installed with a moustache, which is one unique feature of the deity of the temple. This temple complex also contains shrines for various avatars of Lord Vishnu; so it’s important temples in Chennai for Vaishnavites.

Suggested Read: Famous temples in Coimbatore

Vadapalani Sri Andavar Temple

One among the popular temples in Chennai, dedicated to Lord Murugan, is the Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple. It is known for its powers of miracle and attracts several devotees from all parts of the country.

Built in: Late 19th century
Built by: Annaswami Nayakar
Location/Address: Vadapalani, Chennai

It is a religious hub with hundreds of devotees visiting the temple every day for praying purposes concerning marriage, childbirth, and other auspicious functions. The beauty of the temple premises reaches its peak during festivals such as Skanda Shashti and Thaipusam.

Kalikambal Temple

One of the famous temples in Chennai is the Kalikambal Temple, which enshrines Goddess Kalikambal, an avatar of Goddess Parvati, and Lord Kamateswarar, Lord Shiva. It is famous for its peaceful environment and historic significance.

Built in: 1640 CE
Built by: Vishwakarma Brahmins
Location/Address: Thambu Chetty Street, George Town, Chennai

It is said that this was one of the temples visited by the famous Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The colorful festivities during the Navaratri festival draw many devotees to this temple.

Suggested Read: Best Religious Places in India

Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple

Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple in Chennai is a replica of the famous Tirupati Venkateswara Temple situated in Andhra Pradesh. This temple belongs to the list of popular temples in Chennai and is thronged by devotees across the country to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara.

Built in: 1979
Built by: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Board
Location/Address: Venkatanarayana Road, T. Nagar, Chennai

Here, the temple complex is huge and clean, with a congenial atmosphere for worship. Brahmotsavam is celebrated here with great pomp and is attended by a large number of devotees.

Shree Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Mandir

Shree Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Mandir forms an important Jain temple in Chennai. It is dedicated to the eight Tirthankara of Jainism, Chandraprabhu. The temple is famous for its simplicity and spiritual atmosphere.

Year of construction: 1975
Founded by: Jain community
Location/Address: Mint Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai

The temple is maintained with a peaceful atmosphere for meditation and prayer. This is one of the prime worship places for the Jain community in Chennai.

Suggested Read: Places to Visit in Kerala

Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple

Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple is a sacrosanct temple of Goddess Kamakshi. The temple is located at Mangadu, a suburb of Chennai.

Built in: Unknown (ancient temple)
Built by: Unknown (associated with sage Agastya)
Location/Address: Mangadu, Chennai

There are several legends associated with the temple, and this is a very powerful shrine that fulfills all the wishes of devotees. The annual Brahmotsavam festival is a major attraction.

Arulmigu Ramanatheswarar Temple

Arulmigu Ramanatheswarar Temple is another major famous temples in Chennai and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The architecture of this temple is enchanting with an atmosphere that is calm.

Built in: Unknown (ancient temple)
Built by: Unknown (associated with sage Agastya)
Location/Address: Porur, Chennai

This peaceful environment makes the place ideal for meditation and worship. It is a not-so-famous beauty among the famous temples in Chennai.

Suggested read: Places to visit in India in November

Marundheeswarar Temple

One of the famous temples in Chennai dedicated to Lord Shiva is the Marundheeswarar Temple, enshrined and worshipped as the god of medicines here. The temple is believed to have healing powers.

Built in: 7th century CE
Built by: Cholas
Location/Address: Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai

The temple is related to Sage Agastya, to whom Lord Shiva showed the path of medicine. This is an important pilgrimage center for people seeking healing and good health.

Ekambareswarar Temple

Ekambareswarar Temple is well-known in Chennai, which was under the reign of Lord Shiva. The place is one of the oldest, with ancient architecture and spiritually significant.

Date built: 16th century CE
Built by: Vijayanagara Kings
Location/Address: Parrys, Chennai

The temple is an architectural marvel with its tall gopuram and intricate carvings. It is one of the important temples in Chennai for the devotees of Lord Shiva.

Madhya Kailash Temple

Situated in Chennai, the Madhya Kailash Temple is more popularly known as Nadumalai Balaji Temple and is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, who is also known as Balaji.

Year of Construction: 1995
Builder: Multiple devotees
Locality/Address: Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai

This temple is serene and reflects good architecture. Huge crowds of people visit the temple, particularly during Vaikunta Ekadasi.

Suggested Read: Best Places to eat in Kerala

Anjaneya Swamy Temple

Anjaneya Swamy Temple is one of the famous temples in Chennai, dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is well-known for its massive idol of Lord Hanuman.

Built in: 1984
Built by: All India Hanumantha Vaishnava Sangam
Locality/Address: Nanganallur, Chennai

The temple is one of the major attractions for the devotees of Lord Hanuman and is well-known for its colorful celebrations during the event of Hanuman Jayanti.

Nandeeswarar Temple

A Shaivite temple, revered for its presiding deity, Nandeeswarar, which attracts devotees to Chennai for spiritual solace and benediction.

Built in: Unknown, ancient
Built by: Unknown
Locality/Address: Kandanchavadi, Chennai

It stands to testify before Chennai’s rich cultural heritage with intricate architecture and religious rituals dating back to hundreds of years ago that provide a serene atmosphere for prayer and reflection.

Suggested Read: Historical Places in India to Visit

Varasiddhi Vinayagar Temple

It’s dedicated to Lord Ganesha, famous for granting the wishes of devotees, hence being the most famous temples in Chennai.

Built in: 1986
Built by: Sri Mahaperiyava
Locality/Address: Besant Nagar, Chennai

The colorful rituals and festivals in the glory of the elephant-headed God attract a lot of devotees and visitors to witness the spiritual vibrancy and cultural importance within the heart of Besant Nagar.

ISCKON Temple

The Architectural marvel and center of Krishna consciousness that provides for spiritual programs and a serene environment to seekers in Chennai.

Year Built: 2012
Builder: ISKCON
Location/Address: Injambakkam, Chennai

The ornate design of the famous temples in Chennai with serene surroundings has provided an escape from urban life into peace and spiritual growth via devotional practices, festivals, and educational initiatives on the learnings of Lord Krishna according to Bhagavad Gita.

Plan your visit to famous temples in Chennai now:

A trip to Chennai is full of rich cultural heritage and spiritual history, having a long list of famous temples in Chennai that are not just architectural wonders but extremely relevant spiritual centers. From the ancient Kapaleeswarar Temple to the serene Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple, each has its story to tell and own essence. Therefore, this is important from religious and cultural aspects, making these places under the must-visit list while in Chennai. Whether you are a devotee looking forward to some blessings or a tourist seeking history and architecture, the famous temples in Chennai shall offer you a satisfying and religious experience.

15 Famous Temples in Chennai: Explore the Spiritual Landmarks