Best Temples in Tamil Nadu | MakeMyTrip Blog

Dotted with countless temples and important pilgrimage sites, Tamil Nadu is often known as the Land of Temples. Devotees from across the globe throng to these shrines for a deep spiritual experience. Indulge in ritualistic worship, admire the ages-old architecture or just soak in the peaceful vibe and spend some peaceful moments with yourself. Here are seven temples in Tamil Nadu that you absolutely must visit.

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai

Also known as the Minakshi-Sundareswara Temple, this holy shrine is dedicated to Goddess Parvati (or Meenakshi, the fish-eyed warrior goddess) and Lord Shiva (or Sundareswara). The ritual of carrying the idols in a palanquin to the inner chambers, followed by the performance of the lalipuja, takes place at 9:00 p.m. daily. It is believed that a visit to this temple deepens your inner sense of self and brings calmness to the mind.

Did you know?
Thousands of monolithic pillars, 14 tall towers, countless mandapams and the main deity made of emerald are some reasons why this temple was nominated for the new Seven Wonders of the World. The temple was also tagged as the ‘Cleanest Iconic Place’ by the Government of India in October, 2017.

Shore Temple, Mamallapuram

Lying along the Coromandel Coast, this temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for reasons more than one. This one-of-its-kind rock-cut structural stone temple is built from granite blocks, and depicts the best of Pallava architecture. It is home to two shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and a smaller shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Many statues of Nandi line up the temple complex and an idol of Goddess Durga sitting on her lion’s knee stands on the south side of the temple. The serenity of the complex and the views of the ocean from the complex make evenings at the Shore Temple truly magical.

Did you know?
This extraordinary temple forms the backdrop for the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival held in January-February every year. Plan your visit during this time and get set to experience the perfect blend of history and culture.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram

This temple is home to one of the 12 jyotirlingas. It is believed that the lingam here was made from sand by Sita, so that Lord Rama could worship Lord Shiva. The legends associated with the temple, its colossal corridors, the intricate carvings on its pillars and the 22 tanks filled with holy water make this temple one of the holiest shrines in India, and an integral part of the Char Dham pilgrimage.

Did you know?
Ramanathaswamy Temple boasts of the longest corridor in India, with about 1000 carved pillars. A walk down the massive corridor is truly a blissful spiritual experience.

Read more: Rameshwaram: Temples and Beyond

Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur

The Cholas are well known for stunning temple architecture, sculptures and fresco paintings, and this temple is a classic example of just that. It is interesting to note that no binding material was used to build the vimana on top of the main sanctum sanctorum and the entire structure was constructed just by interlocking stones! Yet another highlight is a 16-feet long, 13-feet tall statue of Nandi which has been carved out of a single rock.

Did you know?
A World Heritage Monument, 1,30,000 tons of granite was used to construct this 216 feet-high temple. RajaRaja Chola ensured that the inscriptions here are very detailed, unlike any other temple in the world, and reveal secrets about their style of temple construction.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

Get set to be mesmerized by the reclining idol of Lord Vishnu as Ranganatha at this temple located on the island of Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli. To reach the main idol, you need to pass through seven gopurams. Showcasing the best of Dravidian architecture, this temple spreads across 156 acres and has 49 Vishnu shrines along with the main idol and the gopurams. The Raja Gopuram (over 230 feet tall) is the tallest of its kind in Asia.

Did you know?
This temple is regarded as the first and the most important of the 108 Divyadesams or main Vishnu temples in India. It is also the only temple to be honoured with a UNESCO Award for Heritage Conservation in 2017.

Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram

This temple holds a lot of importance for Hindus all over the world. Goddess Parvati is worshipped in the form of Shakti here, and according to legend, this is the spot where the former’s midriff fell to earth.

Did you know?
It is believed that the Goddess fulfils all wishes through the kindness in her eyes. Her devotees are fascinated by her eyes, which are so full of kindness, love and affection that one would want to visit the temple again and again.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai

A symbol of Dravidian style of architecture, this temple is one of the most revered shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is located in the Mylapore suburb of Chennai, and according to the Puranas, this suburb was named when the divine Shakti offered her worship to Lord Shiva in the form of a peacock (or Mayil in Tamil). This place comes to life during the Aurbathimoovar Festival in March-April, which sees a colourful procession of 63 bronze idols of Nayanmars, Lord Shiva’s famous devotees.

Did you know?
Originally built by the Pallavas, this temple was submerged under the sea. The existing structure was built later by the Vijaynagar Dynasty.Staying by the Beach: Hotels Close to Marina, Chennai

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