15 Famous Temples To Visit In Chennai

Visited on: 19^th February, 2016 and 22^nd March, 2017

Location 

Mylapore is situated in the heart of Chennai at a distance of about 14 kms from Koyambedu. There is a railway station in Mylapore on the Beach to Velachery MRTS train route.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvotriyur, Thirumullaivayil, Thiruverkadu, Thiruvalithayam and Thiruvanmiyur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 24^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is the most popular of the “Sapthasthana” temples in Chennai.
• This is the birth place of Vayilar Nayanar- one of the 63 Nayanmars.
• This is the birth place of Thiruvalluvar.
• This east facing temple has a 7-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors. The 3-tiered west facing tower is facing the temple’s sacred tank. 
• The last Consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishegam) took place on 03.04.2016 and prior to that in the year 2004.

History of the Temple

The historical name of this place is Kapaleecharam.

Mylapore is on the sea coast and the shore is just one kilometre away.

There are three places where Goddess Parvathy took the form of peacock (“Mayil” in Tamil) and worshiped Lord Shiva – they are Mayiladuthurai (Mayuram), Thirumayiladi and Mylapore.

The original temple was located near the sea but was believed to have been submerged in the sea. The current temple was built around 350 years ago.

The temple’s towers are very beautiful. There is a big tank opposite to the temple’s western tower. The view of the temple and the tank is picturesque.

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016.

Location

Thiruverkadu is situated at a distance of about 7 kms from Poonamallee on the Poonamallee to Avadi route. From Koyambedu Bus stand (Chennai) it is about 10 kms.

This temple is about 1 kilometre away from the popular Sri Devi Karumariamman temple.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Thiruvotriyur, Thiruvalithayam, Thirumullaivayil, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 23^rd Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This east facing temple has a 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 3 corridors.
• The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum has been constructed according to the Gaja Brishtam style of architecture. 
• This is the birth place of Saint Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is situated on the banks of river Paalaru and is believed to be more than 1300 years old. Based on the architecture of this temple, it can be inferred that it was built during the Chola period. The historical name of this place is Vada Vedaranyam.

This temple is under the administrative control of Sri Devi Karumariyamman Temple, Thiruverkadu.

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016 and 22^nd March, 2017

Location

Thiruvanmiyur is situated at a distance of about 29 kms from Koyambedu, Chennai. It is on the ECR (Chennai to Mahabalipuram route).

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvotriyur, Thirumullaivayil, Thiruverkadu, Mylapore and Thiruvalithayam.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 25^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested) and the lingam is white in colour.
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• This temple’s east facing main tower (Rajagopuram) has 7-tiers and it has two corridors.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 22.08.2004 and prior to that on 12.02.1984 and 01.02.1979. 

History of the Temple

Thiruvanmiyur is located in Chennai and the temple is very close to the shores of the Bay of Bengal. This ancient temple is believed to be more than 1300 years old. Thiruvanmiyur derives its names from Sage Valmiki - Thiru-Valmiki-Oor. ("Thiru" is a respectful prefix and "Oor" is a place in Tamil). Since Sage Valmiki is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here, the lord here is also praised as “Vanmeeki Nathar”. 

Visited on: 16^th July, 2016

Location 

Thiruvalithayam (Padi) is located at a distance of about 7 kms from the Koyambedu Bus Terminus on the Chennai to Thiruvallur route. It is about 12 kms from the Chennai Central railway station. The railway station nearest to Thiruvalithayam is Kurattur on the Chennai Central to Arakkonam route and this temple is about 2 kms away from it.

Thiruvalithayam is near the Paadi main junction and just opposite to the Lucas TVS Factory.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvotriyur, Thirumullaivayil, Thiruverkadu, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 21^st Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This east facing temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has two corridors.
• Lord Vinayakar’s wedding with Kamalai and Valli took place here.
• The Vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum has been constructed according to the Gaja Brishtam style of architecture.
• This temple is famous as a Parihara Sthalam for Lord Guru (planet Jupiter).
•  The last Consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 29-01-2012.

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is believed to have been constructed by Chola kings. The historical name of this place is Thiruvalithayam but it is now known as Paadi.

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016

Location

Thirumullaivoyal is situated at a distance of about 16 kms from the Koyambedu Bus Terminus, Chennai. It is on the Chennai to Thiruvallur route. There is a railway station in Thirumullaivayil on the Chennai to Arakkonam railway line. The temple is about 2 kms away from the station.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvotriyur, Thiruvalithayam, Thiruverkadu, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 22^nd Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. 
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum has been constructed according to the Gaja Brishtam style of architecture.
• The temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers and has 2 corridors.

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016

Location

Thiruvalangadu is at a distance of about 17 kms from Thiruvallur en route Arakkonam. From Arakkonam also this place is about 17 kms.

Thiruvalangadu has a railway station on the Chennai – Arakkonam rail route and the temple is about 4 kms away from the station.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thiruvalangadu are – Ilambaiyangkottur (10 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (32 kms), Thakkolam (17 kms), Thiruvirkolam (20 kms) and Thirupachur (19 kms).

General Information   

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 15^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. 
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the five places where it is believed that Lord Natarajar competed with Goddess Kali in a dance performance.
• The Natarajar mandapam (hall) of this temple is called “Rathna Sabhai (Gem hall)”.
• This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where all the “Moovars” have rendered their pathigams.
• Karaikkal Ammaiar also rendered her “Mootha Thirupathigam” about Lord Shiva here.
• This temple has three corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers. 

History of the Temple

It is believed that originally this temple was constructed by the Chola and Pallava dynasties. This is a very ancient temple. The stone inscriptions available in this temple are from the periods of King Paranthaka Chola-I to the last king of Vijayanagaram.

Earlier this village was called Pazhayanur and the place where this temple was located was called Alangadu.  In the Devara Hymns, this place is mentioned as “Pazhayanur Alangadu”.

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). This temple is controlled by Thiruthani Murugan temple’s Eexcutive Officer/Joint Commissioner.

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016

Location

Coovam is situated at a distance of about 20 kms from Thiruvallur via Kadampathur and Perambakkam. It is about 18 kms from Sriperumbudur, via Kadampathur and Sunguvar Chathiram.

From Koyambedu, Thiruvallur is about 40 kms.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thiruvirkolam are – Ilambaiyangkottur (10 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (32 kms), Thakkolam (17 kms), Thiruvalangadu (20 kms) and Thirupachur (19 kms).

General Information           

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 14^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This Shiva lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• The east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• The vimana (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).
• There is separate set of Pancha Bootha Sthalams around Chennai and out of that, this is the “Agni” Sthalam.

History of the Temple

This temple is believed to have been built by the kings of the Chola dynasty.

The temple is situated at the origin point of the Coovam river with its sparkling and clear waters.

Legend

It is believed that three demons - Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidyunmali had obtained the blessings of Lord Shiva through rigorous penance. Using the gifts that Lord Shiva had given them, they constructed three forts made of gold, silver and iron respectively in three different towns for their protection and these forts became impregnable to any kind of retaliation by anyone. The demons started terrorising the celestial gods and sages who went to Lord Shiva to seek his help.

When Lord Shiva decided to destroy these demons at the request of the celestial gods, the world turned into a chariot, Suryan and Chandran became the drivers (Saradhi), the celestial gods (Devas) form the wheels and Meru, Vasuki and Agri became the bow, the arrow and the arrow’s tip respectively. This event is called “Thiripura Samharam” - Thiri meaning three, Puram meaning town and Samharam meaning destroy in Tamil.

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016 and 23^rd November, 2016

Location

Thirupachur temple is at a distance of about 3 kms from Thiruvallur on the Thiruvallur to Arakkonam route.

Nearest railway station is in Kadambathur which is at a distance of about 4 kms from this temple. Thiruvallur is about 40 kms away from Koyambedu, Chennai.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thirupachur are – Ilambaiyangkottor (22 kms), Thiruvirkolam (18 kms), Thakkolam (25 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi) (14 kms) and Thiruvalangadu (15 kms).

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 16^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).
• This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.

History of the Temple

It is believed that Chola King Karikalan had built this temple.

The place is also called Than-kathalipuram after the name of Goddess Thangathali. Other historical names of this place are Mayapuri, Abhayapuram, Manickapuri and Cholapuram. 

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016 and 22^nd November, 2016

Location

Ilambaiyangkottur is at a distance of about 24 kms from Thiruvallur via Kadampathur and Perambakkam. Thiruvallur is about 40 kms away from Koyambedu.

From Koovam, it is about 6 kms. Koovam is on the Chennai to Arakkonam road.

From Kanchipuram Ilambaiyangkottur is about 25 kms.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Ilambaiyangkottur are – Thiruvirkolam (10 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (35 kms), Thakkolam (10 kms) and Thirupachur (22 kms).

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”. Clothes and flowers are being offered with the help of a stick.
• This is an east facing temple and it has one corridor. Instead of a main tower (Rajagopuram), there is an arch type entrance. 

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old.

Legend

The legend is that on his march to destroy the three demons (Tiripura Samharam) - Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidunmali and protect the Devas, Lord Shiva passed through this place in a chariot. During this journey, the garland (kondrai flowers in Tamil) from Lord Shiva’s neck fell down at this place and became a swayambu lingam. As this lingam is considered to have been formed from the lord’s garland the lord here is considered to be “Theendathirumeni” (untouched by human hands).

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016 and 23^rd November, 2016

Location

Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi) is situated at a distance of about 12 kms from Thiruvallur on the Thiruvallur to Neyveli Kuttu road en route Oothukottai. From the Neyveli Kuttu road the temple is about one kilometre away. The temple is very near to the Poondi dam. From Koyambedu, Thiruvallur is about 40 kms.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Poondi are – Ilambaiyangkottor (35 kms), Thiruvirkolam (32 kms), Thakkolam (38 kms) and Thirupachur (14 kms). 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 17^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. 
• This is an east facing temple and has no main tower (Rajagopuram) but has arches on South and East sides. This temple has two corridors.
• Consecration ceremony was performed on 14^th September, 2016 after renovation.
• This temple is constructed like a madakkoil with steps. Madakkoils are temples that are built at an elevation and have a few steps to be climbed to see the Lord.
• Lord Shiva gave Sundararamurthy Nayanar a walking stick (Oontrukol), hence the lord here is named “Oontreeswarar”. 

History of the Temple

Earlier this Shiva temple was situated on the banks of river Kusashthalai in a village called Thiruvulampudur. During the year 1942, Tamil Nadu Government acquired and took over many villages including Thiruvulampudur for construction of the Poondi water dam. The Government provided alternative land at Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi) for construction of a new temple in place of the old one at Thiruvalampudur. The idols of deities except the moolavar, pillars and sculptures were removed from the old temple of Thiruvulampudur and reinstated at the new location.  For this new temple, the consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 5^th July, 1968.

It is said that the idol of the main deity is newly created as the original one had already been installed at Sri Gangadareswarar temple at Purasapakkam, Chennai.

It is further said that some portion of the old temple’s main tower can still be seen from the banks of the Poondi Lake. 

Visited on: Saturday, 16^th July,2016

Location

Thiruvotriyur is about 25 kms from Koyambedu Bus Terminal and 8 kms from Central Railway Station, Chennai. There is a railway station in Thiruvotriyur (electric railway line) and this temple is situated about one kilometre away from it.

Chennai has five more Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams  – Thiruvalithayam, Thiruverkadu, Thirumullaivayil, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 20^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambu lingam. It is in the form of an ant-hill – it has a tall banalingam but does not have a base (Avudayar).
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• This is considered to be one of the 51 Shakti Peetas.
• This is one of the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams where all “Moovar” had rendered their Pathigams.
• Saint Thiyagaraja Swamigal, Muthuswami Dikshithar and Marai Malai Adigalar had also visited here and sung the glory of Lord Shiva of this temple.
• Adipuri is the historical name of this place.
• The east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).

This temple is one of the Saptha Vidanga Sthalams of Thondai Nadu as Lord Thiyagaraja is the main deity of this temple. 

History of the Temple

This temple is said to be more than 1500 years old and was built in the Pallava and Chola dynasties.

Visited on: 26^th August, 2016

Location 

Thiruvalam is about 130 kms from Koyambedu, Chennai on the Chennai to old Bangalore road. If you are travelling from Chennai, on Chennai to old Bangalore road, the route is Walajapet – Ranipet - Muthukadai – Thiruvalam. From Ranipet, Thiruvalam is at a distance of about 12 kms. It is located near the famous old iron bridge.

Another route to reach Thiruvalam is via Veore. It is 25 kms from Vellore on the Vellore to Katpadi road.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 10th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested lingam).
• This temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 4-tiers and this temple has three corridors (Praharam).
• The temple is facing east with an entrance from south. 

History of the Temple

This temple is located on the banks of the Neeva river (also called Ponnai river).

It is said that Lord Shiva was worshiped by a demon (asura) called Theekkali, so this place is also known as Theekkali Vallam.

This is a huge and beautiful temple, built by the kings of Pallava and Chola dynasties. There are quite a few references of Rajendra Chola in the stone inscriptions.

The stone inscriptions in this temple reveal that this was an important pilgrimage centre in the past. We can find references of pilgrims using Thiruvalam as a resting place before journeying to other pilgrimages in southern states and as far off places as Banaras (Kasi) in Uttar Pradesh.

Visited on: August 15, 2016

Location

The nearest town to Thirukkallil is Periyapalayam. To reach Periyapalayam there are two routes –

(1) Periyapalayam is around 40 kms from Koyambedu on the Chennai - Puzhal – Redhills - Periyapalayam route.

(2) Another route is from Uthukottai, Uthukottai to Periyapalayam is 16 kms.

From Periyapalayam first reach Kannigaiper (Kanniputhur) which is at a distance of 5 kms and then travel for another 3 kms to reach Thirukkallil (Thirukkandalam).

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 18^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Moolavar is Swayambhumurthy (self-manifested lingam).
• This temple has a single corridor and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• Moolavar’s shrine (vimanam) is of Gaja Brishtam type.
• This temple is east facing and has a beautiful tank in front of it.

History of the Temple

The temple is situated on the banks of Kushasthali river and is said to have been built in the Chola period.

According to the legend, Lord Rama’s sons - Lava and Kusha lived at Siruvapuri, a village near Thirukkallil.  It is believed that they would often come to Thirukkallil, take a dip in the river and worship Lord Shiva. Since Kusha took a dip in this river, it is called Kushasthali. Another interesting story is that once Lava and Kusha had fought in a war against Lord Rama himself without knowing that he was their father.

In ancient times this place was dense with kalli trees (Vajravanam in Sanskrit) and the sacred tree of this temple is also kalli, hence this place is called “Kallil”. Another name for this place is “Thirukkandalam”. 

Visited on: 27^th August, 2016

Location

Thirkachur is at a distance of about 6 kms from Maraimalai Nagar and 2 kms from Singaperumal koil en-route Sriperumputhur. Both Maraimalai Nagar and Singaperumal Koil are on the Chennai to Chengalpattu route. Nearest Railway Station is Singaperumal Koil.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 26^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. 
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthy (self-manifested). 
• There is no main tower (Rajagopuram) in this temple. It has two corridors (praharam) and is an east facing temple.
• The sanctum tower (Vimanam) of Lord Shiva here is of Gajabrushta form (looks like the back of an elephant).
• Thirukachur is mentioned as “Aadhi Kanchi” in Kanchi Puranam.

History of the Temple

The temple was believed to have been constructed in the Chola period by the Chola King Kulothungan-I. This a typical Chola period temple with beautifully engraved pillars, sculptures and halls (mandapams). Lots of engraved reliefs depicting the history of the temple can also be seen on the pillars. 

This is a twin temple - Sri Kachabeswarar temple is at the foothill and in the midst of the village and the other one is Sri Maruntheeswar temple, which at the top of a small hill at a distance of about one kilometre. 

As the sacred tree of this temple is the banyan tree (Kal-ala Maram in Tamil), this temple is also known as Alakkoil.

Visited on: 27^th August, 2016

Location

Thiruvadisoolam is at a distance of 9 kms from Chengalpattu on Chengalpattu to Thirukkazhukundram route and 18 kms from Thirupporur on Chengalpattu to Thirupporur Road.

 Thirukkazhukkundram, another Paadal Petra Sthalam is 15 kms away from this temple.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 27^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• The Moolavar here is a large sized Swayambhumurthy (self-manifested lingam) and is made of Emerald (Maragatham).
• This east facing temple has two main corridors and a main tower (Rajagopuram) with five-tiers. 

History of the Temple

The temple is said to have been built in 7^th Century.

This place is in a beautiful location in the midst of hills and so it gets the name Idai-churam (“Idai” meaning – in between and “churam” meaning hills and forests).

This temple is under the purview of Thirukkazhukkundram Sri Vedagireeswarar Devasthanam.

Legend

According to the legend that in ancient times, the region was a forest densely covered with Vilwa trees. A shepherd, while grazing his cows, observed that one of his cows was pouring its milk at a particular place every day. He informed the locals and they cleared that area of bushes and found a Maragatha Swayambu Lingam. The legend is that Goddess Parvathi came here as Kamadhenu (cow) and worshipped Lord Shiva. Hence the Ambal here is named Govardhanambikai (Go meaning cow in Tamil).