This is a list of temples in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu which is famed for Hindu temples, culture and tradition and commonly known as the Land of Temples. Tamil Nadu has more temples than any other states of India. Tamil Nadu is home to more than 40,000 Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, local deities, Ayyavazhi temples and is aptly called "the land of temples" by media. Many are at least 800 to 5000 years old and are found scattered all over the state. The rulers of various dynasties constructed these temples over centuries. Vimanas (storeys) and Gopuram (towering gateways to the temple complex) best characterize the temples of Tamil Nadu. As per Tamil Nadu Hindu Endowments Board, there are 38,615 temples. Most of the largest Hindu temples reside here. Studded with complex architecture, variety of sculptures, and rich inscriptions, the temples remain the very essence of the culture and heritage of Tamil land, with historical records dating back to at least 3,000 years. In Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple has high ‘Gopuram’ towers ornamented with colourful figures. On Pamban Island, Ramanathaswamy Temple is a famous pilgrimage site. The town of Kanyakumari, at India's southernmost tip, is the site of ritual sunrises. The state also abounds with temple tanks. The state has 2,359 temple tanks located in 1,586 temples. The government has identified 1,068 tanks for renovation. People from all over the world visits Temples of Tamil Nadu and it is the major Tourist attraction in India.
S.No | Name of Temple | Name of Deity | Location (Travel Base) | Built around | Notes/Beliefs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Karpaka Vinayakar Temple | Karpaka Vinayakar | Pillayarpatti (karaikkudi) | 400 CE[1] | One of only two temples in the world that show Ganesha with two arms. The other is in Afghanistan.[2][3] |
2 | Ucchi Pillayar Temple | Uchhi Pillayar | Tiruchirappalli | 700-900 CE[4] | Ganesha is shown with a small bump on his head, which was caused when Vibhishana knuckled him on his head.[5] |
3 | Manakula Vinayagar Temple | Manakula Vinayagar | Pondicherry (Puducherry) | 400 CE[6] | Named as Bhuvaneshar Ganapathy, now called as Manakula Vinayagar. In Tamil 'Manal' means sand and 'Kulam' means pond near the sea, means God near the pond of sand. Later it is named as MANAKULA VINAYAGAR |
4 | Manimoortheeswaram Temple | Uchishtta Ganapathy | Tirunelveli | 1000 CE | The only big ancient temple more than 1000 years ago for Uchishtta Ganapathy is situated in Manimoortheeswaram on the banks of River Thamirabarani in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. |
5 | Sri Poyyamozhi Vinayagar Temple | Sri Poyyamozhi Swayambu Vinayagar | Theevanur (NH 66 (Krishnagiri-Pondicherry National Highway), Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu) | 400 CE[7] | Swayambu Vinayaka temple with a Ganesha that looks like Siva Lingam. Very Powerful deity that cures all diseases, gives boon for power and position |
6 | Meenakshi Temple | Mukkuruni Vinayakar | Madurai | 1600 CE | This popular Ganesha shrine is located inside the famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple. |
7 | Adi vinayagar Temple | Adi vinayagar | poonthottam (Thiruvarur) | 178CE | The name Thilatharpanapuri comes from two words thil meaning Gingely and tharpana is the Hindu ritual of performing pithru karmas (ritual of paying tribute to ancestors) to ones ancestors. It is also known as Sethalapathy.
There are 7 sthalams for performing these rituals viz. Kasi, Rameswaram, Srivanchiyam, Thiruvenkadu, Gaya, Triveni Sangamam & Thilatharpanapuri. |
8 | Abhishtavaradha Ganapathi Temple | Abhishtavaradha Ganapathi | Thiruvaiyaru (Tanjavur) | - | Agastya attained his dwarf-form at this abode.[8] |
9 | Naramuga Vinayakar Temple | Naramuga Vinayakar | Chidambaram (Cuddalore) | - | The Ganesha idol is human-faced in this temple.[9] |
10 | Ganapatheeswarar Temple | Vatapi Ganapathi | Tiruchenkattankudi (Tanjavur) | 700 CE | The Ganesha idol was brought here from Vatapi by the Pallavas.[10] |
11 | Khabartheesar Karpaga Nathar Temple | Sweta Vinayakar | Tiruvalanchuzhi (Tanjavur) | - | The deity represents the white image of Lord Ganesha that was formed when the Devas churned the holy milky ocean |
12 | Eachanari Vinayakar Temple | Ganesan | Eachanari (Coimbatore) | 1500 CE | The deity was brought here from Madurai by the Nayakkars, originally meant for Perur Temple.[11] |
13 | Puliakulam Vinayakar Temple | Munthi Vinayakar | Puliakulam (Coimbatore) | 1993 CE | The idol of the chief deity here is supposed to be one of the largest in South Asia.[11] |
14 | Sree Vigneswarar Temple | Sree Vigneswar | Mela Kolappadi-Andimadam (Ariyalur Dt) | 1997 CE | The idol of the chief deity here is supposed to be one of the largest in South Asia.[11] |
15 | Periya Uchipillaiyar Temple | Uchhi Pillayar | Periya Uchipillaiyar Temple (Kumbakonam) | 1000 CE | The temple is in the city centre of Kumbakonam. |
16 | Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple | Ganapathi Agraharam | Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple near Kumbakonam | 1000 years | The temple is 25 km from Kumbakonam on Thiruvaiyaru bus route. The Vinayagar was actually installed at this temple by Agasthiyar (Ancient Hindu priest) more than 1000 years ago. He had done this with a holy intention of
protecting the globe against of massive starvation. The Ganapathi idol has its own look, where this cannot be seen anywhere else. |
17 | Arulmigu Prasanna Vinayagar Temple | Sri Prasanna Vinayagar | Arulmigu Prasanna Vinayagar Temple, Ganapathy Pudur Coimbatore | 1937 CE | The temple kumababishekam held on 1937 ganapathypudur in Coimbatore district Website:http://temple.dinamalar.com/New.php?id=2187 |
18 | Jambhulinga Vinayagar Temple | Sri Jambhulinga Vinayagar | Jambhulinga Vinayagar Temple, Thathankuppam, Chennai | 1940 CE | The temple is famous for court case where statue responded to identify among the many were stolen |
S.No | Name of Temple | Name of Deity | Location (Travel Base) | Built around | Notes/Beliefs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tiruavinankudi Temple[12] | Dandayudhapani Swami | Pazhani (Dindigul) | - | This temple is the third among the six Holy Abodes.[13] The Murugan idol was made by Bogar from an amalgam of nine toxic substances (Navabaashaanam)[14] |
2 | Swamimalai Murugan Temple | Swaminatha Swamy | Swamimalai(Thanjavur) | - | This temple is the second among the six Holy Abodes. Lord Murugan explained the meaning of Omkaram to his father Lord Siva here.[15] |
3 | Sri Subramanya Swami Temple[16] | Senthil Andavar | Tiruchendur (Tuticorin) | 100 CE[17] | This is the first among the six Holy Abodes and the only seashore Murugan temple. It is here that Surasamharam takes place, as this temple was Murugan's battle camp against the asura Surapadman who was being hosted at Vira Mahendram, a mid-ocean fortress. |
4 | Tirupparankunram Murugan Temple | Subramanya Swami | Tirupparankunram (Madurai) | - | Murugan married Deivanai at this abode, also is the fourth among the Six Holy Abodes of Murugan[18][19] |
5 | Tiruttanikai Murugan Temple | Tanikesan | Tiruttani (Tiruvallur) | - | Lord Murugan married Valli at this abode. This temple is the fifth among the six Holy Abodes. Lord Murugan imparted the knowledge of Tamil to Sage Agathiyar here[20] |
6 | Pazhamudhircholai Temple | Malaikkizhavon | Pazhamudhircholai (Madurai) | - | This temple is the last one of the six Holy Abodes. Lord Murugan tested Avvaiyar's knowledge under a tree here[21] |
S.No | Name of Temple | Name of Deity | Location (Travel Base) | Built around | Notes/Beliefs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kuzhanthai Velappar Temple | Murugan | Poombarai (Kodaikanal) | 1000 CE[22] | The Kuzhanthai Velappar Temple (Kulandai Velayudha Swami Tirukkovil)[6] has three thousand years of history and was consecrated by Bhogar. The idol is made of Navaphasanam(Dasabashanam) . As per inscriptions in the temple which temple has built by king of Chera dynasty during 10/12 Century.There is a song-poem(Poombarai Velan) by Aruna giri nathar who lived during the 15th century[23] |
2 | Sri Navaneethaswara Swamy Temple | Singaravelavar | Sikkal (Tanjavur) | - | Lord Murugan received his weapon, the Velayudham, from his mother Parvathi and used it to perform the Surasamharam at Tiruchendur.[24] |
3 | Marudamalai Subramanya Swamy Temple | Dandayudhapani Swamy | Marudamalai (Coimbatore) | 1200 CE[25] | It's here that The Devas approach Lord Murugan to seek his help in destroying Surapadman. |
4 | Kumarakkottam Subramanya Swamy Temple | Brahmasaastha[26] | Kumarakkottam (Kanchipuram) | - | Kachiappa Sivachariar wrote the sacred Kanda Puraanam at this temple. Also, Lord Murugan assumed the role of the Creator here, after imprisoning Lord Brahma for his ignorance of the meaning of the Pranava manthiram.[27] |
5 | Valliyur Subramanya Swamy Temple[28] | Aanantha Kalyana Subramanyar[29] thirumalai kovil, shencottai | Valliyur (Tirunelveli) | - | The Subramanyar Temple at Valliyur in Tirunelveli District is a rock-cut sanctum carved out of a hill. The Saravanappoigai in this temple was created by Lord Murugan at the request of Valli, his consort.[30] |
6 | Vallakkottai Murugan Temple | Kodaiyandavar[31] | Vallakkottai (Chennai) | - | The Murugan idol in this temple is the tallest in Tamil Nadu, at 7 ft.[32] |
7 | Kanda Swamy Temple | Kanda Swamy | Tirupporur (Chennai) | 1000 CE[33] | After killing Surapadman at Tiruchendur, Lord Murugan killed the rest of the asuras here, at Tirupporur (literally, 'place of the sacred war') |
7a | Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple | Kumara Vayalur | Tiruchirappalli | 1200 years | Lord Muruga blessed the saint-poet Arunagiri Nāthar at Vayalur by writing OM in his tongue and initiated him to compose Tiruppugal. Arunagirināthar wrote 18 verses (910-927) on Vayalur in the famous Tiruppukal. Lord Natarajar is in the Sadura Danda pose in this Temple. |
8 | Shanmuganathan Temple | Aarumaga Swamy | Viralimalai (Tiruchirappalli) | - | Sage Vasishtar and his wife Arundhathi pray Lord Murugan here to ward off their curses. The temple is also famous for the peacocks that are found in plenty here.[34] |
9 | Mayilam Murugan Temple | Aarumaga Swamy.[35] | Mayilam (Villupuram) | - | At the end of Surasamharam, one half of Surapadman assumed the form of the peacock here.[36][37] |
10 | Pazhani Aandavar Temple | Pazhani Andavar | Vadapalani, Chennai | 1875 CE[38] | One of the famous temples built in the modern era, this temple had extensive patronage from the renowned devotee of Lord Murugan Arulmigu Kribanandha Variyar.. |
11 | Sri Vetri Velayudhaswami Temple | Kaithamalai | Uttukuli | Not Known but Reconstructed in 1999[39] | Vetri Velyadhaswami appeared in front the great Tamil saint Agastiyar and helped him to perform his pooja Agastiyar. |
12 | Thindal Murugan Temple | Thindalmalai | Erode | Velyadhaswami temple is a model of Birla Mandir, with Golden Temple Car. | |
13 | Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Thirukovil | Sivanmalai, Kangayam, | Tirupur | - | One of the well known myths associated with Siva is his conquest of Tripuram – the three celestial cities which the Asuras (demons) had taken over, and wreaked havoc over them. The Devas (celestial gods) appealed to Siva for help and asked him to save them from the demons. Siva made mount Meru his bow, and Vasuki the serpent his bow-string and prepared to wage war against the Asuras. |
14 | Arulmigu Balamurugan Temple | Pachaimalai | Gobichettipalayam | One of the two hill temples for Lord Muruga in Gobi, the other one being Pavazhamalai which is only 2 km away from Pachaimalai. Though this temple is very old, the structure has been built starting 1967. | |
15 | Muthu Kumaraswamy Temple | Pavalamalai | Gobichettipalayam | The second hill temple for Lord Muruga in Gobi. | |
16 | Siragiri Dandayudhapani | Chennimalai | Erode | This hill is also called Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri and Siragiri and is located between Kangeyam and Perundurai. It is one of the most famous temples of Lord Muruga in Coimbatore district where Lord Arunagirinathar was blessed with "Padikasu", wealth of coins. This is where a miracle took place in the year 1984 on 12 February. On that eventful day two bullocks of their own accord pulled a bullock cart up the 1320 steps. Saravana Munivar wrote the most popular Chennimalai Sthalapuranam 700 years ago. Milk and curds are used as special offerings to Lord Muruga in Chennimalai and it is the general belief that curds do not become sour here. | |
17 | Velayudhasamy Thirukoil | Pugazhi malai | Karur | 2000CE | The temple is located on a hillock. This place is called Aarunattar malai which is considered as one of the oldest Hill rock of the south. |
18 | Bala Subramaniya Murugan Temple | Vennai malai | Karur | 1800CE | The temple was worshiped by Lord Bramma and Kamadhenu. This famous ancient temple dedicated to Muruga has the special distinction of being visited by the famous Saiva saint Arunagirinathar once. This hill temple enshrines the beautiful images of Murugan. |
19 | Arulmigu Balamurugan Temple | Rathnagiri | Thirumanikundram, Vellore | 1500CE | Rathinagiri Bala Murugan Temple was built around the 14th century. Over the passage of time an ordinary sand structure was converted into a stone shrine.
The 14th Century poet Arunagirinathar' has sung about this temple as Rathinakiri Vazh Murukane Ilaya Vaaramarar Perumaley, which means 'Murugan, the God of Devas resides in Rathinagiri' |
20 | Rajendra Chozheewarar(Balasubramaniyan) Temple | Balasubramaniyan | Periyakulam, Theni | - | |
21 | Sri Kolanjiappar Temple | Manavalanallur 2 km from Vriddhachalam | 1000 years old | The benevolent Lord Siva so as to liberate the entire living being has incarnated himself in many holy Shrines in the so-called Middle Country. (Nadu Naadu). Vriddhachalam (means age old holy hill) is the best among such holy shrines. Two Mile west of this, there is a small village namely Manavalanallur. Where there is abundance of flowery trees bristling with humming of birds and insects. It is known as Manavalanallur because Lord Skantha, the Manavalan (Eternal Bridegroom) has embodied himself here. In the words of Arunagirinathar. "He is the Manavalan residing in the monkeys inhabited hill" | |
22 | Uthiyur Velayudhasamy Temple | Velayudhasamy | Uthiyur, Kangeyam, Tiruppur district | 9th century CE | Uthanda Velayudhasamy Temple is the main shrine dedicated to lord murugan after a flight of 100 steps in Uthiyur hills from the ground. It built in dravidian architecture with a huge water-well as well and the little path with few rocky steps beside the temple lead to the base of a hillock and the steps ended there as well. In this shrine, Velayudhaswamy appears with his spear and Peacock. There are many sculptures here and also some ancient era hero-stones. |
[40]
திருப்பணிகரிசல்குளம்
Thiruppanikarisalkulam, Near Pettai, Tirunelveli Dist, Tamil Nadu .திருப்பணிகரிசல்குளம்
Thiruppanikarisalkulam, Near Pettai, Tirunelveli Dist, Tamil Nadu .Sri Santhanamari amman kovil vickramasingapuram, ambasamudram taluk tirunelveli
S.No | Name of Temple | Name of Deity | Location (Travel Base) | Built around | Notes/Beliefs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Suryanaar Temple | Surya (Sun) | Suryanaar Kovil (Thanjavur) | 1100 CE[48] | This is the only Navagraham temple where the other eight grahams are also present. But, unlike the usual Navagraham arrangement, all other grahams face Surya here[49] |
2 | Agneeswarar Temple | Shukra (Venus) | Kanchanoor (Thanjavur) | 600-800 CE[50][51] | - |
3 | Kailasanathar Temple | Chandra (Moon) | Tingalur (Thanjavur) | ||
4 | Vaitheeswaran Temple | Mangala (Mars) | vaitheeswaran kovil (nagapattinam) | 600-800 CE | - |
5 | Tirunageswaram Nageswarar Temple | Rahu | Tirunageswaram (Thanjavur) | 950 CE | This temple was built by Gandaraditya Chola, son of Parantaka Chola I.[52] |
6 | Tirunallaru Darbaaranyeswarar Temple | Sani (Saturn) | Tirunallaru (Karaikkal) | - | - |
7 | Keezhperumpallam Temple | Kethu | Keezhperumpallam (nagapattinam) | - | - |
8 | Abathsahayeswarar Temple | Guru (Jupiter) | Alangudi (Thiruvarur) | - | - |
9 | Tiruvenkadu Swetaranyeswarar Temple | Budha (Mercury) | Tiruvenkadu (nagapattinam) | - | - |
S.No | Name of Temple | Name of Deity | Location (Travel Base) | Built around | Notes/Beliefs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kuchanuraan Temple, Sri Mayakoothar Devasthanams, Perungulam | Ashtamathu Sani (Saturn) | Kuchanur (Theni) | - | Lord Saneeswaran is the main deity in this temple, unlike other temples where he is worshipped either along with other Navagrahams or is worshipped from a shrine that is a part of a bigger temple.[53] |
2 | Navapasanam Devipattinam Temple | Navagaragam
Nine stone |
Devipattinam
Ramanathapuram(dist) |
- | This is one of the famous navagaraha temples.
This navagaraha are believed to have built by Rama, an avatar of Vishnu. |
3 | Saneeswarar Tirukkoil | Sani (Saturn) | Tirunaaraiyur a.k.a. Nachiarkoil (Tanjavur) | - | This temple is a part of the Sri Ramanathaswami Temple at Tirunaaraiyur. It is the only temple where Saneeswaran is worshipped along with his two wives Mandhadevi and Jyeshtadevi (also known as Neeladevi) and his two sons, Maandhi and Kuligan.[54] |
4 | Sri Vasishteswarar Temple | Guru (Jupiter) | Thenkudi Thittai (Tanjavur) | - | Sage Vasishtar is said to have worshipped Lord Siva in this temple. Lord Guru is worshipped as Guru Bhagavan from a separate shrine here, unlike in Alangudi where he is worshipped as Dakshinamurthi.[55]
[56] |
Chennai has its own set of Navagraha Temples located in and around Kundrathur
For detailed write up on these temple refer to page on Kundrathur Ayyanarappan Temples Sri Porkilai, Sri Poorani Samedha Kaliyurayan Ayyanarappan Temple, Pillur, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. Sri Ayyanarappan Temple, Kanniakoil, Cuddalore Road, Puducherry.
The content is sourced from: https://handwiki.org/wiki/Religion:List_of_temples_in_Tamil_Nadu