Top 10 Temples of Chennai 2024
Previously known as Madras, Chennai is the oldest city in South India. It came into being after the British bought land in the Tondaimandalam province and built the St. George Fort. Afterward, they got control of all the nearby villages, which became Madras. After independence, the local governments tried to remove the British’s influence upon India and renamed the city Chennai.
South India is fond of building temples, but Tamil Nadu is the land of the temples, and Tamilians are fantastic sculptors. The temples of Chennai are a significant part of the Tamilian culture and exhibit Indian traditions, culture, and heritage.
There are several famous temples around Chennai if you plan to enjoy the perfect blend of traditional culture, literature, and culture. Read our article till the end to know about the top 10 temples of Chennai you can visit in 2024.
1. The Ancient Parthasarathy Temple
The Ancient Parthasarathy temple is one of the oldest temples of Chennai and is named after Lord Krishna. In the Hindu mythology text Mahabharata, Lord Krishna acted as the charioteer for Prince Arjuna Pandava’s prince.
This historical temple is undergoing renovation, and the public can’t access its few parts. But this temple is a must-visit when you’re in Chennai. People in Chennai prefer this temple for marriage, so you can plan your marriage in this temple or attend someone’s wedding and appreciate the beauty and heritage of this temple.
Timings: 6:00 AM-12:00 PM & 4:00 PM-9:00 PM
2. The Famous Vadapalani Andavar Temple
The famous Vadapalani Andavar Temple was built in honor of Lord Kartikeya or Muruga, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati and the brother of Lord Ganesha. In South India, Murugan is seen as the God of War. It is one of the well-known temples of Chennai used for marriage. Every year, approximately 7,000 couples get married in this temple.
The temple gates are covered in stucco art that depicts different legends from the old manuscript that describes Kartikeya’s life and is known as Skanda Purana. It was renovated again in the 1920s, and it became bigger as well. If you plan to tie the knot in Chennai, go to the Vadapalani Andavar Temple and get married!
Timings: 5:30 AM- 9:30 PM
3. The Ornate Kapaleeshwarar Temple
The Ornate Kapaleeshwarar temple is named after Lord Shiva and is in the Mylapore area of Chennai. In the past, people of this area worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a peacock, which we call Mylai in Tamil, and from there, the area’s name originated.
In Kapaleeshwarar temple, instead of Lord Shiva, his wife Parvati is the show’s star and is worshipped there under the name of Karpagambal. The Portuguese destroyed the original temple in the 1500s, and it was rebuilt again in its current location. It is amongst the oldest temples of Chennai and most visited by its own citizens and tourists.
Timings: 6:00 AM-1:00 PM & 4:00 PM-8:00 PM
4. The Penitent Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple
An interesting myth is attached to the history of the Penitent Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple. People of Chennai and several parts of South India believe this temple will help find a groom for an unmarried woman. A Devi named Kamakshi Amman closed Lord Shiva’s third eye for fun, and the world became dark.
After the matter was resolved, the Devi begged Lord Shiva for forgiveness, and he asked her to compensate. For compensation, Kamakshi Amman selected the spot where this temple currently stands. As a result, Lord Shiva was impressed and gave her the status of his wife. If you aren’t superstitious, this beautiful temple is still worth visiting.
Timings: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturdays: 6 AM — 1.30 PM, 3 PM — 9.30 PM
Sunday, Tuesday, and Fridays: 5 AM — 10 PM (Without Break)
Abisheka Time: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: 11 AM — 12.45 PM
5. The Sacred Temple of Thyagaraja
This temple is located in Tiruvottiyur, one of Chennai’s longest-standing regions. It is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sacred temple of Thyagaraja is the biggest temple in India since it’s spread over 33 acres. Four gateway towers, known as Gopurams, are filled with shrines to Hindu mythology deities.
An interesting fact about this temple is the chariot that thousands of devotees pull out from it annually. During the Tiruvarur chariot festival, approximately 10,000 people must pull the largest chariot in Asia, and it carries Lord Shiva’s statue in it. The weight of the chariot is about 300 tonnes, and it is taller than 90 feet vertically.
Timings: 5:00 AM-12:00 PM & 4:00 PM-9:00 PM
6. The Royal(ish) Kalikambal Temple
The Kalikambal temple is in Parry’s Corner, earlier known as the George Town area of Chennai. It is also dedicated to the Devi Kamakshi, but she’s not worshipped as Kamakshi but here as Shri Kalikambal.
Tall buildings on Thambo Chetti Street, a prominent financial district of the city, surround this ancient temple of Chennai. It was relocated to this place in 1640 AD and was earlier at a location close to the sea.
Timings: 6:00 AM- 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM- 9:00 PM
7. The Rich Ashtalakshmi Temple
The word Ashtalakshmi was derived from Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Ashtalakshmi refers to those eight types of wealth devotees who worship the goddess Lakshmi’s desire. These are Gaja Lakshmi, Santaana Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhaanya Lakshmi, Adi Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi, and Vijaya Lakshmi.
While taking a round of the temple, you’ll encounter each of these Lakshmis. The temple was built in 1976 and showcases contemporary and Dravidian architecture. It is located on Elliott Beach.
Timings: 9:30 AM-8:30 PM
8. The Standalone Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
This temple is for the devotees of the well-known Shirdi Sai Baba and is in the Mylapore area of Chennai. The biggest devotees of Sai Baba are behind its creation. In 1953, they started constructing this gorgeous temple in honor of their God.
Sai Baba is a historical figure from the 19th century who bridged gaps between Hindus and Muslims. He preached unity and had a charitable approach towards life.
Timings: 5:00 AM- 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM- 9:00 PM
9. The First-of-its-Kind Ayyappan Temple
The Ayyappan temple, built in 1974, is the biggest Ayyappan construction in the city. Soon after its construction, it became a favorite place of many devotees. Several citizens who lived near the Mahalingpuram Ayyappan temple migrated to the Sabarimala during the Mandalam Makaravillakku seasons.
This monument was built to stop citizens from migrating, and it worked. If you are in India’s cultural capital, visit this one of the top temples of Chennai.
Timings: 4:00 AM- 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM- 11:00 PM
10. The Gateway Adeeswar Temple
This temple is along Redhill Lake by the Grand Trunk Road, which connects Chennai with the rest of Tamil Nadu. Thus, it is known as the “Gateway to the South”. India’s Jain community has been fond of this shrine since it was built in honor of their first God, Lord Adeeswar.
Tirthankar Rishabhdev is believed to have started this religion. However, Jains believe that their religion existed before Hinduism. It is also believed that this temple was built in the 1st Century BC, approximately two thousand years ago. You’ll see intricately carved Jain architecture while visiting this temple.
Timings: 6:00 AM- 8:30 PM
The temples we mentioned are the most visited ones for several reasons. All of them are beautifully constructed to represent Chennai’s culture and showcase a more ancient heritage than modern India.
All the temples are unique in their architecture and are backed by mythology and regional folklore. Whenever you plan a trip to Chennai, visit these temples.
