List of temples in Tamil Nadu

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The state of Tamil Nadu has many famous Hindu temples
Rajarajeswaram, also known as Brihadeshwara temple built by Chola emperor Rajaraja-I Thanjavore. Fully constructed in granite, the temple tower measures 216'. At time of its construction, it was the tallest Hindu temple in the world

This is a list of popular Hindu temples in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, known as Land of Temples. Nearly 33,000 ancient temples, many at least 800 to 3500 years old, are found scattered all over the state. Most of the largest Hindu Temples reside here.[1] Studded with complex architecture, variety of sculptures, and rich inscriptions, the temples remain the very essence of the culture and heritage of Tamil land, with historical records dating back to at least 3,000 years.

The state also abounds with a large number of temple tanks. The state has 2,359 temple tanks located in 1,586 temples. The government has identified 1,068 tanks for renovation.[2]

Temples of Tamil Nadu can be categorized as below:o

Following is the list of temples categorized by the deity.

Temples of Lord Vinayagar

S.No Name of Temple Name of Deity Location (Travel Base) Built around Notes/Beliefs
1 Karpaga Vinayagar Temple Karpaga Vinayagar Pillayarpatti (karaikkudi) 400 CE[3] One of only two temples in the world that show Vinayagar with two arms. The other is in Afghanistan.[4][5]
2 Ucchi Pillayar Temple Uchhi Pillayar Tiruchirappalli 700-900 CE[6] Vinayagar is shown with a small bump on his head, which was caused when Vibhishanan knuckled him on his head.[7]
3 Manakula Vinayagar Manakula Vinayagar Pondicherry (Puducherry) 400 CE[8] Named as Bhuvaneshar Ganapathy, now called as Manakula Vinayagar. In Tamil 'Manal' means sand and 'Kulam' means pond near the sea, means God near the pond of sand. Later it is named as MANAKULA VINAYAGAR
4 Manimoortheeswaram Temple Uchishtta Ganapathy Tirunelveli 1000 CE The only big ancient temple more than 1000 years ago for Uchishtta Ganapathy is situated in Manimoortheeswaram on the banks of River Thamirabarani in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.
5 Sri Poyyamozhi Vinayagar Temple Sri Poyyamozhi Swayambu Vinayagar Theevanur (NH 66 (Krishnagiri-Pondicherry National Highway), Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu) 400 CE[9] Swayambu Vinayaka temple with a Ganesha that looks like Siva Lingam. Very Powerful deity that cures all diseases, gives boon for power and position
6 Meenakshi Amman Temple Mukkuruni Vinayagar Madurai 1600 CE This popular Vinayagar shrine is located inside the famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple.
7 Adi vinayagar Temple Adi vinayagar poonthottam (Thiruvarur) 178CE The name Thilatharpanapuri comes from two words thil meaning Gingely and tharpana is the Hindu ritual of performing pithru karmas (ritual of paying tribute to ancestors) to ones ancestors. It is also known as Sethalapathy.

There are 7 sthalams for performing these rituals viz. Kasi, Rameswaram, Srivanchiyam, Thiruvenkadu, Gaya, Thiriveni Sangamam & Thilatharpanapuri.

8 Abhishtavaradha Ganapathi Temple Abhishtavaradha Ganapathi Tiruvaiyaru (Tanjavur) - Sage Agasthiyar attained his dwarf-form at this abode.[10]
9 Naramuga Vinayagar Temple Naramuga Vinayagar Chidambaram (Cuddalore) - The Vinayagar idol is human-faced in this temple.[11]
10 Ganapatheeswarar Temple Vatapi Ganapathi Tiruchenkattankudi (Tanjavur) 700 CE The Vinayagar idol was brought here from Vatapi by the Pallavas.[12]
11 Khabartheesar Karpaga Nathar Temple Sweta Vinayagar Tiruvalanchuzhi (Tanjavur) - The Vinayagar idol represents the white image of Lord Vinayagar that was formed when the Devas churned the holy milky ocean (Tiruppaarkadal)
12 Eachanari Vinayagar Temple Ganesan Eachanari (Coimbatore) 1500 CE The idol was brought here from Madurai by the Nayakkars,originally meant for Perur Temple.[13]
13 Puliakulam Vinayagar Temple Munthi Vinayakar Puliakulam (Coimbatore) 1993 CE The idol of the chief deity here is supposed to be one of the largest in South Asia.[13]
14 Sree Vigneswarar Temple Sree Vigneswar Mela Kolappadi-Andimadam (Ariyalur Dt) 1997 CE The idol of the chief deity here is supposed to be one of the largest in South Asia.[13]
15 Periya Uchipillaiyar Temple Uchhi Pillayar Periya Uchipillaiyar Temple (Kumbakonam) 1000 CE The temple is in the city centre of Kumbakonam.
16 Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple Ganapathi Agraharam Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple near Kumbakonam 1000 years The temple is 25 km from Kumbakonam on Thiruvaiyaru bus route. The Vinayagar was actually installed at this temple by Agasthiyar (Ancient Hindu priest) more than 1000 years ago. He had done this with a holy intention of

protecting the globe against of massive starvation. The Ganapathi idol has its own look, where this cannot be seen anywhere else.

17 Arulmigu Prasanna Vinayagar Temple Sri Prasanna Vinayagar Arulmigu Prasanna Vinayagar Temple,Ganapathy Pudur Coimbatore 1937 CE The temple kumababishekam held on 1937 ganapathypudur in Coimbatore district Website:http://temple.dinamalar.com/New.php?id=2187

Temples of Lord Murugan

The Arupadai Veedu

S.No Name of Temple Name of Deity Location (Travel Base) Built around Notes/Beliefs
1 Tiruavinankudi Temple[14] Dandayudhapani Swami Pazhani (Dindigul) - This temple is the third among the six Holy Abodes.[15] The Murugan idol was made by Bogar from an amalgam of nine toxic substances (Navabaashaanam)[16]
2 Swamimalai Murugan Temple Swaminatha Swamy Swamimalai (Kumbakonam) - This temple is the second among the six Holy Abodes. Lord Murugan explained the meaning of Omkaram to his father Lord Siva here.[17]
3 Sri Subramanya Swami Temple[18] Senthil Andavar Tiruchendur (Tuticorin) 100 CE[19] This is the first among the six Holy Abodes and the only seashore Murugan temple. It is here that Surasamharam takes place, as this temple was Murugan's battle camp against the asura Surapadman who was being hosted at Vira Mahendram, a mid-ocean fortress.
4 Tirupparankunram Murugan Temple Subramanya Swami Tirupparankunram (Madurai) - Murugan married Deivanai at this abode, also is the fourth among the Six Holy Abodes of Murugan[20][21]
5 Tiruttanikai Murugan Temple Tanikesan Tiruttani (Chennai) - Lord Murugan married Valli at this abode. This temple is the fifth among the six Holy Abodes. Lord Murugan imparted the knowledge of Tamil to Sage Agathiyar here[22]
6 Pazhamudhircholai Temple Malaikkizhavon Pazhamudhircholai (Madurai) - This temple is the last one of the six Holy Abodes. Lord Murugan tested Avvaiyar's knowledge under a tree here[23]

Other major Murugan temples

S.No Name of Temple Name of Deity Location (Travel Base) Built around Notes/Beliefs
1 Sri Navaneethaswara Swamy Temple Singaravelavar Sikkal (Tanjavur) - Lord Murugan received his weapon, the Velayudham, from his mother Parvathi and used it to perform the Surasamharam at Tiruchendur.[24]
2 Marudamalai Subramanya Swamy Temple Dandayudhapani Swamy Marudamalai (Coimbatore) 1200 CE[25] It's here that The Devas approach Lord Murugan to seek his help in destroying Surapadman.
3 Kumarakkottam Subramanya Swamy Temple Brahmasaastha[26] Kumarakkottam (Kanchipuram) - Kachiappa Sivachariar wrote the sacred Kanda Puraanam at this temple. Also, Lord Murugan assumed the role of the Creator here, after improsining Lord Brahma for his ignorance of the meaning of the Pranava manthiram.[27]
4 Valliyur Subramanya Swamy Temple Aanantha Kalyana Subramanyar[28] thirumalai kovil,shencottai Valliyur (Tirunelveli) - The Saravanappoigai in this temple was created by Lord Murugan at the request of Valli, his consort.[29]
5 Vallakkottai Murugan Temple Kodaiyandavar[30] Vallakkottai (Chennai) - The Murugan idol in this temple is the tallest in Tamil Nadu, at 7 ft.[31]
6 Kanda Swamy Temple Kanda Swamy Tirupporur (Chennai) 1000 CE[32] After killing Surapadman at Tiruchendur, Lord Murugan killed the rest of the asuras here, at Tirupporur (literally, 'place of the sacred war')
7a Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple Kumara Vayalur Tiruchirappalli 1200 years Lord Muruga blessed the saint-poet Arunagiri Nāthar at Vayalur by writing OM in his tongue and initiated him to compose Tiruppugal. Arunagirināthar wrote 18 verses (910-927) on Vayalur in the famous Tiruppukal. Lord Natarajar is in the Sadura Danda pose in this Temple.
7 Shanmuganathan Temple Aarumaga Swamy Viralimalai (Tiruchirappalli) - Sage Vasishtar and his wife Arundhathi pray Lord Murugan here to ward off their curses. The temple is also famous for the peacocks that are found in plenty here.[33]
8 Mayilam Murugan Temple Aarumaga Swamy.[34] Mayilam (Villupuram) - At the end of Surasamharam, one half of Surapadman assumed the form of the peacock here.[35][36]
9 Pazhani Aandavar Temple Pazhani Andavar Vadapalani ,Chennai 1875 CE[37] One of the famous temples built in the modern era, this temple had extensive patronage from the renowned devotee of Lord Murugan Arulmigu Kribanandha Variyar..
10 Sri Vetri Velayudhaswami Temple Kaithamalai Uttukuli Not Known but Reconstructed in 1999[38] Vetri Velyadhaswami appeared in front the great Tamil saint Agastiyar and helped him to perform his pooja Agastiyar.
11 Thindal Murugan Temple Thindalmalai Erode Velyadhaswami temple is a model of Birla Mandir, with Golden Temple Car.
12 Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Thirukovil Sivanmalai, Kangayam, Tirupur - One of the well known myths associated with Siva is his conquest of Tripuram – the three celestial cities which the Asuras (demons) had taken over, and wreaked havoc over them. The Devas (celestial gods) appealed to Siva for help and asked him to save them from the demons. Siva made mount Meru his bow, and Vasuki the serpent his bow-string and prepared to wage war against the Asuras.
13 Arulmigu Balamurugan Temple Pachaimalai Gobichettipalayam One of the two hill temples for Lord Muruga in Gobi, the other one being Pavazhamalai which is only 2 km away from Pachaimalai. Though this temple is very old, the structure has been built starting 1967.
14 Muthu Kumaraswamy Temple Pavalamalai Gobichettipalayam The second hill temple for Lord Muruga in Gobi.
15 Siragiri Dandayudhapani Chennimalai Erode This hill is also called Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri and Siragiri and is located between Kangeyam and Perundurai. It is one of the most famous temples of Lord Muruga in Coimbatore district where Lord Arunagirinathar was blessed with "Padikasu", wealth of coins. This is where a miracle took place in the year 1984 on 12 February. On that eventful day two bullocks of their own accord pulled a bullock cart up the 1320 steps. Saravana Munivar wrote the most popular Chennimalai Sthalapuranam 700 years ago. Milk and curds are used as special offerings to Lord Muruga in Chennimalai and it is the general belief that curds do not become sour here.
16 Velayudhasamy Thirukoil Pugazhi malai Karur 2000CE The temple is located on a hillock. This place is called Aarunattar malai which is considered as one of the oldest Hill rock of the south.
17 Bala Subramaniya Murugan Temple Vennai malai Karur 1800CE The temple was worshiped by Lord Bramma and Kamadhenu. This famous ancient temple dedicated to Muruga has the special distinction of being visited by the famous Saiva saint Arunagirinathar once. This hill temple enshrines the beautiful images of Murugan.

[39]

18. Kumara kovil, Located velimalai hills about 7 km from Thuckalai enroute of Kanyakumary Trivandrum National highway a beautiful temple famous for Kavadi 19. Velli malai Murugan Temple, located Kanyakumary Colachel Coastel road. 20. Murugan Kovil Thovalai Enroute of Nagerkoil -Tirunelveli High way 21.

Temples of Lord Siva


See also

Temples of Lord Bhairava (Vairavar)

Temples of Lord Vishnu

Sri Adivaraha Temple Kallidaikurichi Tamlinadu

http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=2057

Temples of Lord Anjaneyar

Temples of Amman

Ayyanarappan Temples

Cave Temples of Pandiyas

Rockcut Monolith Temples of Pallavas

Raajasimmeswaram, Kshatriya Simmeswaram - popularly known as shore temples in Mamallapuram built by Rajasimha Pallava - I. (c. eighth century C.E.)

Structural Temples of Pallavas

Structural Temples of Vijayanagara

Structural Temples of Chola

Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple

Temples of The Navagrahams

The Navagraham cluster at Kumbakonam

S.No Name of Temple Name of Deity Location (Travel Base) Built around Notes/Beliefs
1 Suryanaar Temple Surya (Sun) Suryanaar Kovil (Tanjavur) 1100 CE[47] This is the only Navagraham temple where the other eight grahams are also present. But, unlike the usual Navagraham arrangement, all other grahams face Surya here[48]
2 Agneeswarar Temple Shukra (Venus) Kanchanoor (Tanjavur) 600-800 CE[49][50] -
3 Kailasanathar Temple Chandra (Moon) Tingalur (Tanjavur)
4 Vaitheeswaran Temple Mangala (Mars) vaitheeswaran kovil (nagapattinam) 600-800 CE -
5 Tirunageswaram Nageswarar Temple Rahu Tirunageswaram (thanjavur) 950 CE This temple was built by Gandaraditya Chola, son of Parantaka Chola I.[51]
6 Tirunallaru Darbaaranyeswarar Temple Sani (Saturn) Tirunallaru (Karaikkal) - -
7 Keezhperumpallam Temple Kethu Keezhperumpallam (nagapattinam) - -
8 Abathsahayeswarar Temple Guru (Jupiter) Alangudi (Thiruvarur) - -
9 Tiruvenkadu Swetaranyeswarar Temple Budha (Mercury) Tiruvenkadu (nagapattinam) - -

Other Navagraham Temples

S.No Name of Temple Name of Deity Location (Travel Base) Built around Notes/Beliefs
1 Kuchanuraan Temple, Sri Mayakoothar Devasthanams, Perungulam Ashtamathu Sani (Saturn) Kuchanur (Theni) - Lord Saneeswaran is the main deity in this temple, unlike other temples where he is worshipped either along with other Navagrahams or is worshipped from a shrine that is a part of a bigger temple.[52]
2 Saneeswarar Tirukkoil Sani (Saturn) Tirunaaraiyur a.k.a. Nachiarkoil (Tanjavur) - This temple is a part of the Sri Ramanathaswami Temple at Tirunaaraiyur. It is the only temple where Saneeswaran is worshipped along with his two wives Mandhadevi and Jyeshtadevi (also known as Neeladevi) and his two sons, Maandhi and Kuligan.[53]
3 Sri Vasishteswarar Temple Guru (Jupiter) Thenkudi Thittai (Tanjavur) - Sage Vasishtar is said to have worshipped Lord Siva in this temple. Lord Guru is worshipped as Guru Bhagavan from a separate shrine here, unlike in Alangudi where he is worshipped as Dakshinamurthi.[54]

[55]

Chennai has its own set of Navagraha Temples located in and around Kundrathur

For detailed write up on these temple refer to page on Kundrathur Ayyanarappan Temples Sri Porkilai, Sri Poorani Samedha Kaliyurayan Ayyanarappan Temple, Pillur, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. Sri Ayyanarappan Temple, Kanniakoil, Cuddalore Road, Puducherry.

References

  1. ↑ "Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh build temple ties to boost tourism". The Times of India. 2010-08-10. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  2. ↑ "Mission to Renovate Temple Tanks". The Deccan Chronicle. Chennai: The Deccan Chronicle. 19 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "The first stage goes back in time by about 1600 years". Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  4. ↑ Sivashankar Chandrasekaran, "The Wonder that is Pillaiyarpatti"
  5. ↑ "There are only two images of Vinayakars with two arms in the world". Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  6. ↑ "...venerated by the hymns of the Tevaram Saints (7th - 9th century)...". Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  7. ↑ "Vibhishana finally caught up with him and knocked him on the head". Archived from the original on 2007-04-07. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  8. ↑ http://www.manakulavinayagartemple.com
  9. ↑ http://www.indiantemples.com/Tamilnadu/karppill.html
  10. ↑ "It is believed that Saint Agasthiyar attained his dwarf-form at this abode". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2005-04-08. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  11. ↑ "This idol is human-faced...". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  12. ↑ "...an image of Ganapati brought back from Badami...". Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  13. 1 2 3 "Eachanari Vinayagar Temple". Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  14. ↑ "Pazhani Temple website". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  15. ↑ "Third among the Arupadai veedu". Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  16. ↑ "The observations made by the researchers ... Bhogar was the one who formulated this amalgamation of nava pâsanam". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  17. ↑ "Swamimalai is second among the six padai veedu... and Lord Siva ... heard the exposition of OM as a disciple". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  18. ↑ "Tiruchendur temple website". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  19. ↑ ""...it has a holy past dating back to 2000 years, if not earlier. and "...among which Tiruchendur is number one. This was the only temple of Lord Muruga located on the seashore."". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  20. ↑ "Tirupparankundram". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  21. ↑ "So this place becomes the fourth Aru Padai Veedu.". Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  22. ↑ "Skanda imparted knowledge of Tamil to the Sage Agasthyar". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  23. ↑ "...her knowledge was put to test by Lord Muruga". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  24. ↑ "...transformed her powers into Velayutham". Archived from the original on 2007-01-26. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  25. ↑ "...places the origin of the temple in the 12 th century A.D.". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  26. ↑ "Kumarakkottam Temple". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  27. ↑ "...the sacred Kanda Puranam in praise of Lord Muruga was composed...". Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  28. ↑ "Valliyur Temple". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  29. ↑ "...the tank was created by Murugan according to the request of his consort...". Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  30. ↑ "Vallakkottai Murugan Temple". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  31. ↑ "...the idol of Murukan is the tallest in Tamil Nadu...". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  32. ↑ "...preserves Pallava inscriptions from as early as the 10th century...". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  33. ↑ "Viralimalai Murugan Temple". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  34. ↑ "Mayilam Murugan Temple". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  35. ↑ "...Surapadma assumed the form of a peacock...". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  36. ↑ "Kanda Puraanam: ...one half becoming a cock (Seval) and the other half a peacock...". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  37. ↑ "...built about 125 years back...". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  38. ↑ "Uttukuli Murugan Temple". Retrieved 2007-11-23.
  39. ↑ "Templenet Tevara Sthalangal". Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  40. ↑ "Panchabootha Sthalangal". Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  41. ↑ "Templenet shiva temples". Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  42. ↑ "Official website of the Nanganallur Temple". Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  43. ↑ "IndianTemplesPortal.com on Nanganallur Anjaneyar". Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  44. ↑ "IndianTemples.com on Sholingar Anjaneyar". Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  45. 1 2 "Other Anjaneyar Temples". Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  46. ↑ "Official website of the Panchamukha Anjaneya Temple". Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  47. ↑ "Inscriptions from the period of Kulottunga Chola I (1075-1120) refer to this temple...". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
  48. ↑ "Six of these eight temples ... clearly go back to the 2nd half of the 1st millennium CE.". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  49. ↑ Paramacivanantam, A. Mu. (1982). The Historical Study of the Thevaram Hymns. Tamilkalai Pub. House. p. 7.
  50. ↑ "This temple was built by Gandaraditya Chola...". Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  51. ↑ "Temples of Lord Guru". Archived from the original on 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  52. ↑ There is also another temple dedicated to Suryan at Gnayiru Gramam near Red Hills
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