Temples in Chennai, details about ancient temples in and around Chennai
This resource is about the hindu pilgrimage destinations in Chennai. In this resource you get to know the complete details of Chennai temples such as the features of the temple, the main diety worshipped, the festivals celebrated, the timings for visiting the temple, the address of the temple and much more.
Famous temples of Chennai
Get to know the complete details about the popular and ancient Chennai hindu temples. Read the article to know the significance of each temple, the main diety worshipped in each temple and many more interesting details about the temples located in and around Chennai city.Ashtalakshmi Temple in Besant Nagar
The Ashtalakshmi Temple is one of the famous temples located in Chennai. As the name suggests, the temple has goddess Lakshmi in eight forms and is believed that those who are worshipping her are blessed with wealth and prosperity. The temple is constructed in Dravidian style and is situated in the beautiful Elliot's beach of Chennai.
Timings of Ashtalakshmi Temple in Chennai: Morning: 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m and Evening: 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Address of Ashtalakshmi Temple in Chennai: Ashtalakshmi Temple, Elliots Beach, Besant Nagar, Chennai. Kalikambal Temple in George Town
The Kalikambal temple is one of the ancient and famous temples located in George Town area of Chennai, which is visited by devotees from all over India. The Goddess Kalikambal was worshipped by the great Indian Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji. This temple is famous for its marvelous architecture and it dates back to 1640. It is believed that the unmarried young girls will get a good life partner soon when they worship the goddess with faith and belief.
Timings of Kalikambal Temple in Chennai: Morning: 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m and Evening: 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Address of Kalikambal Temple in Chennai: Kalikambal Koil, Thambu Chetty Street, Chennai-1. Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore
The famous Kapaleeswarar temple is located in Mylapore area of Chennai. The temple is popular because of its historical significance. The literary scholars Tiruvalluvar and Peyalwar were believed to have resided in Mylapore region.
Lord Shiva is known as Kapaleeswarar and he is the principal deity of the temple. Another main shrine is goddess Karpagambal who is believed to possess all powers. Women worship the goddess to keep their husbands healthy. The tank in Kapaleeswarar temple is just located opposite side of the temple tower. The bronze idols of the Nayanmars, devotees of Lord Shiva are an important feature of the temple. One can see all the 63 Nayanmars statue with their names.
The temple stands as a remarkable example for its intricate carvings which attracts many tourists. The devotees coming to worship the lord is increasing due to the belief that Lord Shiva will protect against evil. The Kapaleeswarar temple organizes a number of festivals and poojas for its devotees. Some of the important festivals celebrated in Kapaleeswarar temple are as follows:
• Brahmothsavam,
• float festival,
• Navarathatri festival
• Vasant Utsavam.
During the Brahmothsavam, the idol of the Lord Kapaleeswarar is taken out as an ascetic with a skull bowl in his hand is taken around. The specialty of the float festival is that the deities are taken in a beautifully created raft to the tank and the whole place is heavenly illuminated. It is a real feast to the eyes and the soul.
Timings of Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai: Morning: 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m and Evening: 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Address of Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai: Kapaleeswarar temple, Mylapore, Chennai.Kriyaa Sakthi or Kodiyidai Amman Temple in Thirumullaivaayil
Kriyaa Sakthi is one of the famous temples situated in Thirumullaivaayil, Chennai. The goddess or the Women power is believed to be more powerful and is worshipped in India from ancient period. The Kriyaa Sakthi temple is stands as an example of women power. One can see three forms of of Shakti in this temple. 
They are as follows:
• Ichchaa Sakthi (Thiruvudai Amman),
• Gnaana Sakthi (Vadivudai Amman)
• Kriyaa Sakthi (Kodiyidai Amman).
One can worship the three forms of goddess in one temple. Though we can see devotees on all days It is believed that Fridays are the best and auspicious day for worshipping the Sakthi. We can see women from all the areas of Chennai coming and worshipping for the well-being and long life of their husbands.
The word "Kriyaa" means actions hence one can worship the goddess to help them in their work. The goddess is worshipped by offering fruits and sarees in yellow, green or orange color.
Other shrines in Kodiyidai Amman temple
• Lord Maasilaamaneeswarar
• King Thondaiman
• Lord Vinayagar,
• Lord Surya or the Sun God,
• Lord Muruga
• Goddess Valli and Deivayanai.
The temple is well-connected by all means of transport such as airways, railways and roadways and hence stands as a wonderful place for tourism as well as for worshipping the goddess.
Timings of Kriyaa Sakthi temple in Chennai: Morning: 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m and Evening: 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Address of Kriyaa Sakthi Temple in Chennai: Kriyaa Sakthi temple, Thirumullaivaayil, ChennaiKundrathur Murugan Temple
The Kundrathur temple is one of the popular temple of Lord Muruga. The temple differs from other temple because here Lord Muruga is placed facing the north side. The Lord Subramaniar can be seen on the top of the hill along with the goddess Valli and Deivanai.
This temple is located in Kundrathur which is about 28 km from Chennai.There are a group of seven temples within the boundaries of the place Kundrathur The temple stands as an example of ancient architecture and dates back to Chola dynasty- King Kulothunga Chola-II. So the temple attracts tourists from all over India.
Address of Kundrathur Temple in Chennai: Kundrathur Temple, Kundrathur, Chennai.Mangadu Kamakshiamman Temple
The word "Mangadu" means mangrove. The place Mangadu in Chennai is famous because of the temple of Goddess Kamakshi who is a form of Goddess Parvati and the creator of the universe. When you look into the image of the Goddess Kamakshi which is placed in the sanctorum your heart will be filled with intense devotion and though you do not have that much of bhakti you cannot stop your complete surrender to the Goddess Kamakshi..
This female diety is worshipped for her power and is believed that she married Lord Ekambareswar at Kanchipuram after facing severe problems.
The temple is visited by lots of young girls and their parents because it is believed that if one worships the goddess kamakshi wholeheartedly with pure devotion then they will be blessed with marriage. Fridays are considered as auspicious days to worship the goddess.
Other shrines in Mangadu Kamakshiamman Temple
• Lord Vinaygar
• Lord Sooryan,
Timings of Mangadu Kamakshi Temple: Morning: 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m and Evening: 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Address of Mangadu Kamakshi Temple: Mangadu Kamakshi Temple, Mangadu, Chennai.Marundeeswarar Temple at Tiruvanmiyur
The Marundeeswarar temple located at Tiruvanmiyur, in Chennai is famous for its architectural designs and has got a historical significance. The main diety of the temple is Lord Shiva who is by the masses as Marundeeswarar. The temple is popular among the people because of the rare medicinal herbs and it has been mentioned in the works of Nayanmars Appar and Sambandar.
This 1200 years old temple contains several features which are as follows:
• Temple has got two entrances
• Contains 36 beautifully carved pillars.
• Marundeeswarar Mandapam also referred to as the Mahamandapam
• 108 Shiva lingams.
• Presence of a sacred Vanni tree
• Presence of five sacred tanks
The Brahmotsavam festival is celebrated every year and witnesses around 18 types of dances. It is believed that drinking the water from the tanks and eating the prasadams offered in the temple may relieve from burdens and cure any diseases.
Timings of Marundeeswarar Temple in Chennai: Morning: 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m and Evening: 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Address of Marundeeswarar Temple in Chennai: Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-41.Parthasarathy Temple in Tiruvallikkeni
Tiruvallikkeni Parthasarathy Temple is one of the oldest and ancient temples in Chennai. This temple was built in the 8th century by the Pallavas
The main deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu and the temple is thronged with vaishnavas all over the world.
The spectacular features of Parthasarathy Temple are as follows:
• The beautiful gopuram or entrance tower
• Lord Narasimha who is half-lion half-man incarnation of Lord Vishnu
• The beautiful architecture of the temple
• Several flags (Dwajasthambams)
• Numerous pillars (Mandaps)
Other shrines in Parthasarathy Temple
• Sri Rama
• Ramanuja
• Narasimha
The important festival celebrated in Parthasarathy Temple is the Vaikuntha Ekadasi which comes once in a year. Many people all over India visit the temple on this auspicious day.
Timings of Parthasarathy Temple in Chennai: Morning 6.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m and Evening: 3.00 p.m to 8.00 p.m.
Address of Parthasarathy Temple in Chennai: Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai.Thiruverkadu Mariamman Temple
Thiruverkadu Mariamman Temple is situated in Thiruverkadu which is a small place in Chennai. This place is famous because of the Sri KarumariammanTemple or the Thiruverkadu Mariamman Temple. The goddess is believed to remove human ailments. The place Thiruverkadu contains herbs of high medicinal value.
The main deity in the temple is the goddess Mariamman, popularly known as Amman or "mother". Sundays are considered as auspicious day for the temple. The architecture of the temple is a true reflection of the Dravidian style. The idol of the deity is beautifully crafted and usually decorated in red color.
People come here wearing red dresses and pray to goddess to be blessed with a child. It is also believed that the goddess will cure from any diseases.
The Thaipoosa Latcharchana and the Poornima Latcharchana are the important festivals that are organized in the temple and attract people even from all the neighboring states.
Timings of Thiruverkadu Mariamman Temple in Chennai: Morning: 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m and Evening: 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Address of Thiruverkadu Mariamman Temple in Chennai: Thiruverkadu Mariamman Temple, Thiruverkadu, Chennai.Vadapalani Dandayudhapani Temple
Vadapalani Dandayudhapani Temple is one of the popular temples built for Lord Muruga. This temple was built before 125 years.
To know about the temple in detail click the below link:
Vadapalani Dandayudhapani Temple
