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Tamil Nadu is one of India’s top agricultural producers, and it has a significant fishing industry. It also produces cement, lignite (brown coal), iron ore, and bauxite.
Temples in Tamilnadu are the epitome of architectural brilliance with elaborate carvings and colourful gopurams. Some of them also feature rich inscriptions and legends.
The renowned Rajagopala Swamy Temple is known for its 154 feet tall gateway tower called Rajagopuram. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple has six daily worship services and two yearly festivals on its calendar.
Best Top Attractions Temples to Visit in TamilNadu
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai
The temple is open from sunrise to sunset. Valuables are not allowed inside the temple. It is one of the best religious places to visit in TamilNadu.
The legend of Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai starts with Pandyan king Malayadhwaja and Queen Kanchanmala performing a yagya to request a son. Meenakshi emerged from the yagya as a triple-breasted princess but was told that her third breast would disappear when she met her future husband.
2. Brihadeeswarar Temple Thanjavur
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brihadeeswarar Temple Thanjavur is a dazzling example of the heights achieved by Tamil architecture. It is famous for its soaring vimana that does not cast any shadow.
The complex houses a Nandi (sacred bull) that is the largest bronze in India. The temple also has a series of murals that display the story of Shiva-Parvati.
3. Ekambareswarar Temple Kanchipuram
Ekambareswarar Temple Kanchipuram is a temple for Lord Shiva. It is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalas representing the Earth element.
Legend has it that Goddess Parvati did penance here. She closed the eyes of Shiva and to test her dedication, he sent fire to disturb her.
4. Bala Murugan Temple Siruvapuri
Bala Murugan Temple Siruvapuri is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya and is believed to be capable of granting devotees’ wishes. The temple also houses the deities of Sri Annamalaiyar and Sri Unnamulai Amman.
Legend has it that Lava and Kusa, sons of Rama fought here without knowing that he was their father, thus the place got its name Siruvar Por Pori meaning “children waged war”. The temple is visited by those who want to purchase a house.
5.Sripuram Golden Temple, Vellore
A 70 kg idol of Goddess Lakshmi made of gold stands at the Golden Temple. The entire complex is surrounded by salubrious nature and visitors can walk along the star-shaped path that has certain moral messages inscribed on it.
This unique shrine, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi is constructed by ‘Sri Narayani Peedam‘, a charitable trust based in Vellore. Many people who face financial blockages worship the Goddess here and get blessings.
6. Annamalaiyar Temple Tiruvannamalai
Annamalaiyar Temple Tiruvannamalai is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams and specifically represents the element of fire. Shiva is worshipped here as Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswarar and his consort Parvati is revered as Unnamulai Amman.
7. Thillai Nataraja Temple Chidambaram
Thillai Nataraja Temple Chidambaram is one of the Panchbootha temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Chidambaram means ‘broad open space not measurable’ and relates to the sky or Akasha element of Shiva.
It is a place where you can easily get into a meditative state of mind. It is also famous for its Bharathanatya dance postures.
8. Nagaraja Temple Nagercoil
Nagaraja Temple Nagercoil is an ancient Hindu temple worshipping Vasuki, the snake king. The temple’s soil is believed to have healing powers for any skin ailments. It is also given as prasadam to the devotees visiting the temple.
It is also believed that Nagadosha, fertility problems, and marriage obstacles can be cured by performing Pooja at this temple every Sunday during Thula Masam (October – November). This Nagaraja Temple gets its name from the town of Nagercoil.
9. Kapaleeshwarar Temple Chennai
The temple is a good example of the Dravidian architecture. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva. The 63 Shaivate saints are honored here. Devotees visit this place during the 10-day-long Aruvathi Moovar festival in April and May. Statues of the presiding deities are seated on vahanas (vehicles). The vehicles include bull, adhikaranandi, elephant, bandicoot, parrot, and peahen.
11. Ramanathaswamy Temple
Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the twelve Jyothirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. This age-old magnificent marvel is located on Rameswaram Island.
It’s believed that Lord Rama worshipped here to absolve himself of the sin he committed by killing a Brahmin, Ravana in Sri Lanka.
12. Jambukeswarar Temple Thiruvanaikaval
A renowned temple with a fascinating history, Jambukeswarar Temple Thiruvanaikaval is an absolute must-visit for devotees and tourists alike. It is one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Founded by Kochenga Chozha, this historic temple is home to five enclosures with a massive outer wall that covers the fifth precinct and stretches over a mile. Its presiding deity, Jambukeswarar, represents the element of water.
14. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
Dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, the reclining form of Maha Vishnu, the temple is one of the foremost among 108 Divya Desams. Located in an ethereal setting, it showcases a fine form of Dravidian architecture glorified by Tamil poet saints, the Alvars.
15. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple Kumbakonam
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The presiding deity is a formless lingam called Adi Kumbheswarar. His consort is Mangalambigai Amman. This shrine is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams praised by Tamil saint poets (Nayanmars) in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work Tevaram.
14. Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
Renowned as one of the earliest significant structures in the Tamil region, this sandstone temple built by Rajasimha of the Pallava Dynasty is an incredible treasure. Known for its style and trendsetting architecture it is a must-see destination.
15. Srivilliputhur Andal Temple Virudhunagar
Srivilliputhur Andal Temple Virudhunagar is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is the birthplace of Andal, the Tamil poet-saint who contributed her psalms Thiruppavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi to Tamil literature.
The temple has shrines to Andal and Periyazhvar – two of the most important alwars in Vaishnavite tradition. The sanctum sanctorum contains an idol of the Lord in reclining form with his consorts and sages.
FAQs
Best Religious Places to Visit in TamilNadu
- Koodal Alagar Temple
- Alagarkoil Madurai
- Mannargudi Temple
- Tiruchendur
- Meenakshi Temple
Places to Explore at Night in Tamilnadu
- Mahabalipuram
- Brihadeeswara Temple
- Marina Beach
- Dhanushkodi
- Mudumalai
5000 years old temple in Tamilnadu
Kailasanathar Temple 5000 years old temple in Tamilnadu.
Old temples in Chennai
Kapaleeswarar Temple is the Oldest temples in Chennai.