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10 Most favourite temples in Chennai
Posted on: 20/Feb/2019 4:29:48 PM
Chennai Metro City is multi-faceted indeed – while it has a long history, a long tradition, unique identity, hub of cultural and religious activities, dance and music (Bharathanatyam and Carnatic music), it also has on the other side - busy streets, intense trade and commercial centres, skyscrapers, popular malls, 4-trains systems (Metro, MRTS, and electric trains) and an excellently covered city bus transport as well!
The spiritual aspect of Chennai is reflected in the number of temples –with all their festivals and fanfares. Here are the Chennai Metro City’s most popular temples from the aspects of divinity, architecture, and history:
1. Lord Kapaleeswarar temple
Here, the God (Lord Siva) and the Goddess Parvathi) are shipped in the form of the peacock. It is one of the most famous temples in the city.
The main deity is Lord Kapaleeswarar and His Consort is Goddess Karpagambal. The temple was built by the Pallavas in the 7th Century AD. The temple architecture is of Dravidian Style – full of wood carvings, stone carvings, pillars and the main tower (Gopuram) at the doorway.
There are 6 puja sessions performed daily in the temple. – they are known as Kala Santhi (morning), Uchakala (midday), Sayankala (evening), and Ardhajama (midnight) The major festivals are Panguni and Arupathumoovar (dedicated to the 63 Saivite nayanmars). The temple has an adjacent huge pond where the theppam festival is performed and celebrated every year.
The temple is open on all days except on Mondays from 5.30 AM to 12.00 Noon and from 5.00 PM to 9.00 PM
2. Lord Marundheeswarar Temple
This is one of the most revered and prayed temples in the city. This temple, dedicated to Lord Marundheeswarar, was built in 11th century. The term ‘marundhu’ in Tamil means medicine and Lord Marundheeswarar is worshipped as a healer of all ailments. According to the legend, the sage Rishi Valmiki worshipped Lord Rama under the holy ‘vanni’ tree here, which is seen sprawled across 1 acre of the temple grounds. The temple is considered to be one among the trinity of seashore temples dedicated to Lord Siva. The other 2 temples are – Lord Kapaleeswarar temple, Mylapore, and Lord Thyagarajaswamy temple, Thiruvotriyur.
The temple remains open from 9.00 AM to 8.00 PM.
3.Ekambareswarar Temple
This is a unique temple indeed where the devotees can pray and worship several Gods under one roof!
Lord Siva, as Lord Ekambareswarar, is the main deity of the temple along with other deities - Ganesha, Vishnu, Shakthi, Surya, and Goddess Kamakshi.
The interesting feature is that there is a separate temple, within the same complex, dedicated to Navagraha - the nine planets. This temple was built in 1680 by Alanganatha Pillai- a worker under the British Raj.
The temple was counted as Allingall’s Pagoda in the city maps till the 18th century. This is one of the most frequently visited temples in Chennai. The main festivals are during the Tamil calendar months of Chithirai, Aadi, Markazhi, and Panguni.
The temple is open from 6 am to 1: 30 pm and 4:30 pm to 8 pm. On feststivals days and special occasions, the temple remains closed in the afternoons.
4.Parthasarathy Temple
This is the oldest Hindu Vaishnavite temple in Chennai. Sri Parthasarathy temple is one of the most prominent temples in the Chennai Metro City. The main deity is Lord Krishna as Lord Parthasarathy.
The unique feature of the temple is that this is where different avatars of Lord Vishnu, namely, Krishna, Varaha, Rama, and Narasimha are worshipped, all under one roof. The temple has separate entrances for Rama and Narasimha.
The temple has spectacular sculptures, inscriptions, and murals dedicated to different events of the battle of Kurukshetra.
The temple is open between 5:50 am to 9 pm
5.Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple
This is the most popular Murugan temple in Chennai. Called Sri Vadapalani Andavar temple, and also known as Vadapalani Murugan Temple, the temple main deity is Lord Murugan.
The temple is indeed considered as one of the major attractions of Chennai. The temple was built by Annaswami Nayakar, a devotee of Murugan in 1890.
This temple was renovated in 1920 by building a huge Rajagopuram at the entrance-way.
Sri Vadapalani Andavar temple is considered as a sacred place for marriages and other religious ceremonies, There is a strong traditional belief that the main deity of Lord Muruga in standing posture blesses the newly married couple with health and prosperity.
The temple remains open from 5:30 am to 9 pm
6.Kandhakottam
Kandhakottam temple is one of the spectacular Hindu temples in the Chennai Metro City.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga, spreading over sprawling 8 acres of land. The temple also has a huge tank (pond or waterbody) located behind, known as ‘Ssaravanapoigai’.
According to the legend, this temple was founded by two hardworking and devout traders of Thiruporur. Here, Lord Murugan is worshipped as a ‘warrior God’.
Apart from the daily routine of pujas and rituals, there is a special weekly puja organised every Thursday. On this day, ‘Jothi Darshanam’ is shown and Arutperunjothi Agaval is sung by the priests.
The temple is open from 6 am to 9:45 pm. In the afternoon, the temple remains closed from 12:30 pm to 4 pm.
7.Kalikambal Temple
This temple is dedicated to Goddess divine mother Shakti.
This temple was originally located near the seashore and was relocated later in 1640. The temple is dedicated to the deities of Kalgambal and Kamatesswarar. According to the legend, the original worshipping deity was God in his fierce form. This was replaced later by Shanta Swaroopa or calm and composed form of Goddess Kamakshi.
Historical sources reveal that in 1667, great Maratha king, Shivaji himself visited this temple to worship.
The temple remains open from 6 am to 12 noon and 5 pm to 9 pm.
8.Thirumalai Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple
This temple andnd the location is known as mini Thirupathi in Chennai.
While listing the famous temples in Chennai, it must also be recorded that out of all famous temples in Chennai, Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam Temple is famed for maximum footfall, throughout the year, especially on Saturdays and during festivals.
The temple is situated by the banks of Sri Swami Pushkaarini (pond), It boasts of marvelous architecture and artistically designed walls, pillars, and gopurams (temple towers). The entrance porch looks stunning! The main shrine of Lord Venkatachalapathi resembles closely with Lord Venkateshwara in Tirupathi!
The temple remains open from 5 am to 9 pm.
9.Ashtalakshmi Temple
This is a rather unique temple. Situated close to the Eliot Beach in Chennai, Ashtalakshmi Temple is a religious wonder and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful temples in Chennai.
The temple is unique in the aspect that it is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi and her eight forms, each representing success, offspring, prosperity, wealth, courage, bravery, food and knowledge. This is one of most artistically designed temples with four floors, marvelous structures, pillars, and intricate roof design.
1st Floor – Location of the shrines of Aadilakshmi, Dharyalakshmi, and Dhaanyalakshmi
2nd Floor – Shrines of Goddess Mahalakshmi and Maha Vishnu
3rd Floor – Shrines of Santha Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, and Gajalakshmi
4th Floor – Shrine of Dhanalakshmi.
The temple remains open from 6:30 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 9 pm. On Fridays and Sundays, the temple remains open till 1 pm in the morning.
10.Shree Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Mandir
This is the most prominent Jain temple in the city and the most popular as well.
The temple is dedicated to 8th Tirthankara- Sri Chandraprabhu Bhagwan. The temple is a two-storeyed structure, built of sparkling white limestone, marble and soapstone.
Endowed with white façade, beautiful murals and pillars, the intricate yet splendid architecture, resembles that of Dilwara temple in Rajasthan.
The temple remains open from 5 am to 8:30 pm, all days of the week. The temple timings extend during Mahavir Jayanti festival.
