India's #1 Trusted South Indian Pandit Provider!
India's #1 Trusted South Indian Pandit Provider!
Tamil Nadu is a place of Siddhars (mystic saints), years-old spiritual practices, and, notably, the land of ancient Hindu Temples. The state is also the birthplace of the world’s oldest language, Tamil. And there is no wonder why Tamil Nadu is called the place of rich cultural heritage.
Whether you’re a spiritual seeker, architect, or a tourist, these are the 8 hard-to-skip temples you should add to your travel bucket list. Speaking further, the 8 Temples listed below resemble the architectural styles of Dravidian: Cholas, Pandyas, and Vijayanagara Nayakars.
These architectural marvels inspired the Westerners and are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ancient architecture of these Temples takes visitors back to history and provides devotees with a great time travel experience.
Let’s travel back in time and witness these eight popular and medieval-age Temples of Tamil Nadu.
Location: Srirangam, Tamil Nadu
Primary Deity: Sri Ranganathaswamy (Incarnation of Lord Vishnu)
Consort: Ranganayaki (Manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi)
It is one of the largest functioning Hindu Temples in India, dating back to the 9th century. The Temple is considered an important pilgrim site in the Vaishnava traditions and was worshipped by the great saint Ramanuja in the 11th century. The premises of the Temple span over 156 acres, and the architecture is based on Dravidian and Vijayanagara styles. The entrance tower (Rajagopuram) is tall and massive recording 236 feet height with 13 storeys. The Srirangam Temple is regarded as one of the 108 Divya Desams, the most sacred sites dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Priests of this Temple belong to Vadakalai or Tenkalai traditions and come from the local lineage.
Location: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Primary Deity: Brihadisvara (Incarnation of Lord Shiva)
Brihadisvara Temple, also known in local cultures as Thanjai Periya Kovil or Peruvudaiyar Kovil, is a world-renowned Hindu Temple sought after for its magnificent architecture. It was built in 1010 AD by the great Chola King, Rajaraja Chola I. It is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular tourist attraction among domestic and international travelers. The Temple is situated on the south bank of the Cauvery River and was built using 130,000 tons of granite and limestone.
Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Primary Deity: Sri Ramanathaswamy
Consort: Parvatavardhini
It is one of the pre-historic temples built in the ancient period and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Temple has been portrayed by Shaivite saints like Nayanars, Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar. According to Puranas, The Temple was first developed and worshiped by the Lord Ram (Vishnu) before his voyage to Lanka (Present day Sri Lanka). The Temple is famous for its massive and longest corridor, which King Muthuramalinga Sethupathy built.
Recommended: Check our Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple tour package.
Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Primary Deity: Meenakshi Amman (Consort of lord Shiva)
Meenakshi Amman Temple is one of the most visited temples in Tamil Nadu. It is situated on the southern bank of the Vaigai River, nestled in the heart of Madurai city. The Temple complex consists of multiple Gopurams (Shrines) located in each direction. It was built by the Pandyan emperor Sadayavarman Kulasekaran in 1190 CE. The Temple has been continuously renovated and rebuilt during various periods by different kings like Tirumala Nayaka.
Location: Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Primary Deity: Nataraja (Incarnation of Shiva)
The Nataraja Temple is located in the Temple town of Tamil Nadu, Chidambaram. The Nataraja means the Lord of Dance and is symbolized in the dancing form of Shiva. It is said that the present Temple was built in the 10th century during the Chola dynasty. The Temple complex comprises nine gopurams with intricate carvings and sculptures. Apart from the main deity, the Temple premises also hosts dedicated shrines for Shakti, Vishnu, and Ganesha.
Location: Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
Primary Deity: Sri Arunachaleswarar (Annamalaiyar)
Consort: Unnamalai Amman (Parvati)
Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Jothi Linga, and the Temple is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams representing the Fire element. The Temple is famous for its ritual called Girivalam, during which thousands of devotees walk around the Arunachala Hill. The Temple is mentioned in the ancient Tamil literature ‘Devaram,’ written in the 7th century CE. The Temple has a Rajagopuram (Tower), which is the 3rd tallest Gopuram in the world.
Location: Thiruchendur, Tamil Nadu
Primary Deity: Lord Muruga
Thiruchendur Murugar Temple is one of the Six abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of god Muruga. It is located near the seashore and is frequently visited by devotees all over South India, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The God Muruga rested in Thiruchendur after defeating the demon king Surapadman and his sons. The day god Murugan killed this demon king is still celebrated as a festival called Skanda Sashti. From 1646 to 1648, the Temple was captured by the Dutch East India Company and then freed upon orders from the Naik Ruler.
Recommended: Check our Arupadai Veedu Temple tour package.
Location: Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar
Primary Deity: Lord Vishnu
Consort: Andal (Lakshmi)
The Temple follows the Dravidian architecture and has a mesmerizing gateway tower standing 192 ft tall. From the 10th to 16th centuries, various kings, from Cholas to Pandyas and Nayakars, constantly repaired, rebuilt, and renovated the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple. The place is believed to be the birthplace of Periyalvar and his daughter Kothai, who was later named Andal. The place has been mentioned in the ancient scripture Varaha Puranam, which mentions the frequent visit of Vishnu to this place in the Varaha form.
If you’re looking to explore the popular Temples of Tamil Nadu, check out our Holy Yatra packages. These include darshan, tour guide, Vedic rituals, and accommodation support.