Temples of Tamil Nadu

India is a land of diverse religious faiths. The ways of worship, gods worshipped, symbol , temple construction methods and rituals all differ from one place to another. The beautiful temples of India are spread all over the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The state of Tamil Nadu houses some of the finest temples in the country which are a legacy passed on by the rulers and kings of the bygone era.

Thousands of huge and beautifully built temples adorn the state of Tamil Nadu. Tamils have been the greatest of temple builders which shows in the wealth of temples, from the pre-Christian era and the 20th century, present here. Some of the ancient temples were built of brick and mortar while temples were built inside caves around 700 A.D. The kings of the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijaynagar and Naik dynasties all contributed towards the growth of the temples in the state. The age of a temple is determined by the style of architecture and its mention in the historical records. The carvings and paintings inside a temple throw light on the culture and history of the time.

Famous Temples in Tamil Nadu
» Chidambaram Temple
The ancient Chidambaram Temple situated at Chidambaram is one of the most important Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu. It was built to celebrate the dance duel between Lord Shiva and Godess Kali in which Shiva emerged victorious. The temple, where six worships are offered each day, is famous for its Akasa Lingam and the two annual Bhrammotsavams. Good transportation and accomodation facilities are available around the temple.

» The Meenakshi Temple
The Meenakshi Temple, situated in the city of Madurai, was built by the Pandyan King, Kulasekhara between the 16th and 18th centuries. It is an important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi. According to legend, Madurai is the place where the wedding between Lord Shiva and Meenakshi took place. The best time to visit the temple is during the Teppam festival which is held in the month of April/May.

» Ekambareswarar Temple
The ancient Ekambareswarar Temple, situated in the city of Kanchipuram, was built around the year 600 A.D. by the Pallavas. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Panguni Festival, Brahmothsavam, Garudothsavam and the Chariot festival are some of the main festivals celebrated here. The temple is well connected to Chennai, by road and rail, which is situated at a distance of around 71 km from the temple. The best time to visit the place is during March/ April.

» Parthasarathy Temple
The Parthasarthy Temple situated in Chennai was built around the 8th century. It is an ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Brahmotsavam, Thiruaadipooram and Neerattu Utsavam are some of the main festivals while the best time to visit the temple are the months of April, May, July, August, December and January.

» Aiyarappan Temple
The Aiyarappan Temple situated in the city of Thanjavur is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The city of Thanjavur is well connected to other major cities around it. Accomodation is available at places around the temple.
Other important temples spread all around the state of Tamil Nadu include Chitragupta Temple (Kanchipuram), Veradaraja Temple (Chennai), Mahabalipuram Temples (Mahabalipuram), Rameswaram Temples (Rameswaram), Arunachaleswar Temple (Tiruvannamalai) and Brihadeeswara Temple (Thanjavur).