We all love visiting Temples. Let us go back in time when India stood proud with its beautiful temples, lavish palaces, magnificent forts, and tales of bravery of our royal kings. One such enchanting state is Tamil Nadu, where temples are a testament to telling stories of its rich history.
Tamil Nadu- also nicknamed the “Land of Temples,” is home to more than 400,00 temples, with most of them at least 800 years old and found all over the state. The temples built by royal kings of Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, and Nayakas over the centuries are architectural marvels and spiritual places.
With intricate designs and sculptures, the temples tell us Tamil Nadu’s glorious past. They hold a precious place in India’s vast heritage, showcasing the opulence of the historical era.
Visiting these temples is like traveling back in the bygone time. Now, if you wish to visit the temples seeking spirituality or simply wish to admire the beautiful architecture, the temples do offer a divine experience for every traveler, and here is a list of the top 10 temples you can visit.
1. Bruhadeeshwara Temple, Tanjavur
The ‘Brihadeeswarar Temple’ is one of the largest and most famous temples as the abode of Lord Shiva, located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The temple was built in the Chola dynasty in the 11th century AD and stands tall as a testimony to the grandeur of the Chola rulers.
It is one of the famed UNESCO World Heritage Sites visited by thousands of tourists and devotees annually. Also, the temple is said to be built completely in granite, a feat that was quite difficult to achieve back then owing to transport and logistic issues.
The temple is open from 6 AM to 12.30 PM and reopens from 4.00 PM to 8.30 PM.
2. Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
Also known as the Shore Temple is located in Mahabalipuram, which is about 60 km from Chennai. This is also a part of the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site built out of rock in the 7th and 8th centuries by the Pallava kings. It is known especially for rock-cut caves, rathas(Chariots), and rock reliefs.
The temples are open from 6 AM to 6 PM every day.
3. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Dedicated to Goddess Parvati in the form of Meenakshi and her consort, Lord Shiva, as Sundareswararar, the temple is one of the ancient and most famous temples in the world, built in the 6th century AD. The present structure that one sees was restored in the 16th century, which was invaded by Muslims in the 14th Century.
The richly sculpted temple is famous for its colorful gopurams, which can be viewed from a distance and is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. With plenty of figurines of gods, goddesses, and demons, the temple is nothing less of an architectural wonder. With footfalls that run in thousands every day, this a must-visit temple in Tamil Nadu.
The temple’s timings are 5 AM to 12.30 PM. It again opens for darshan from 4 PM to 9.30 PM.
4. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Trichy
The temple is located in Srirangam, in Trichy, a southern city in Tamil Nadu dedicated to Lord Vishnu is another masterpiece of Dravidian architecture dating back to the 10th century under the Cholas.
The temple is spread across 150 acres, with many sub-shrines and gopurams. The temple is among the first in the 108 Divya Desams, or the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. Do not miss the thousand-pillared hall during your visit to the temple owing to its artistic brilliance.
The temple timings are from 6 AM to 12 PM and again from 6 PM To 9 PM.
5. Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, the ancient town of Tamil Nadu, is quite famous for its silks and temples. You can get to see many temples which were built in the Pallava period in the 7th,8th centuries here. This temple is the most famous among all, which is built in sandstone and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sculptures of the lord and his consort are carved in different dance postures, which can be seen in the inner walls are the highlights of the temple.
Dating back to the late 7th century-early 8th century, the temple is believed to have been built under the reign of the Pallava Dynasty.
The temple is open for darshan from 9 AM to 12.30 PM and again reopens from 4 PM to 6.30 PM
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