Temples in Tamil Nadu

Ramanathaswamy Temple

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

Both a Jyotirlinga and a Char Dham, where Sri Rama worshipped Shiva.

Kamakshi Amman Temple

Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

A Maha Shakti Peetha at Kanchi, the Goddess of the loving eyes.

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

Srirangam, Tamil Nadu

A Divya Desam on the Kaveri, where Ranganatha reclines on Adisesha.

Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane

Triplicane, Tamil Nadu

A Divya Desam where Vishnu is worshipped as the charioteer of Arjuna.

Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple)

Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

A towering Chola vimana crowned by a single great stone, with Nandi on guard.

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu

The space element of the Pancha Bhoota Sthala, where Shiva dances in bliss.

Meenakshi Amman Temple

Madurai, Tamil Nadu

The fish-eyed queen weds Shiva as Sundareswarar each year at Chithirai.

Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

The earth element among the Pancha Bhoota Sthala of Shiva.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore

Mylapore, Tamil Nadu

Where Parvati took the form of a peahen to worship Shiva at Mylapore.

Palani Murugan Temple (Dhandayuthapani)

Palani, Tamil Nadu

The third abode of the Arupadai Veedu, where Murugan stands as a renunciate.

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple

Thiruchendur, Tamil Nadu

An Arupadai Veedu abode at the ocean's edge, where Surapadman fell.

Swamimalai Murugan Temple

Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu

Where Murugan taught the sacred Om to Shiva and became the teacher-Lord.

Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple

Thiruparankundram, Tamil Nadu

Carved from the rock, where Murugan wedded Deivanai, daughter of Indra.

Tiruttani Murugan Temple

Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu

A hill of three hundred and sixty-five steps, where Murugan came to rest.

Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple

Pazhamudircholai, Tamil Nadu

Set within a forest grove, where Murugan gave Avvaiyar his playful riddle.

Rockfort Ucchi Pillayar Temple

Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

Ganesha atop the Rockfort, reached by over four hundred rock-cut steps.

Arunachaleswarar Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu

Shiva rose here as a column of fire that Brahma and Vishnu could not fathom.

Srivilliputhur Andal Temple

Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu

A Divya Desam, home to the woman among the twelve Alvars who loved Ranganatha.

Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval

Thiruvanaikaval, Tamil Nadu

An underground spring keeps the water-element linga forever moist.

Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli

Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu

Slender stone pillars that ring with musical notes when they are struck.

Thanumalayan (Sthanumalayan) Temple, Suchindram

Suchindram, Tamil Nadu

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva joined in a single linga near the meeting of the seas.

Samayapuram Mariamman Temple

Samayapuram, Tamil Nadu

The Mother of the Tamil land, guarding against illness beside the Kaveri.

Kumari Amman (Bhagavathy Amman) Temple, Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Where three seas meet, the eternally youthful maiden keeps her vigil.

Suryanar Kovil (Surya / Sun)

Thirumangalakudi, Tamil Nadu

The Navagraha shrine where Surya himself presides, ringed by the nine grahas.

Kailasanathar Temple, Thingalur (Chandra / Moon)

Thingalur, Tamil Nadu

The Navagraha shrine of the Moon, freed here from the curse of Daksha.

Vaitheeswaran Koil (Angaraka / Mars)

Vaitheeswaran Koil, Tamil Nadu

Shiva as the divine physician, the Navagraha shrine where Mars was healed.

Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu (Budha / Mercury)

Thiruvenkadu, Tamil Nadu

At the white forest near Sirkazhi, the planet Mercury is sought for wisdom.

Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi (Guru / Jupiter)

Alangudi, Tamil Nadu

The shrine of Guru the guide, where Shiva teaches in silence as Dakshinamurti.

Agniswarar Temple, Kanjanur (Shukra / Venus)

Kanjanur, Tamil Nadu

By tradition, the planet Venus dwells within the Lord and is honoured in him.

Naganathar Temple, Thirunageswaram (Rahu)

Thirunageswaram, Tamil Nadu

Milk poured over Rahu in worship here is seen to turn a shade of blue.

Naganatha Swamy Temple, Keezhaperumpallam (Ketu)

Keezhaperumpallam, Tamil Nadu

The closing shrine of the nine planets, where Ketu found the Lord's grace.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

A Divya Desam on the elephant hill of Kanchi, the king who grants boons.

Ashtalakshmi Temple, Chennai

Chennai (Besant Nagar), Tamil Nadu

Lakshmi in her eight forms, enshrined storey by storey beside the sea.