Temples around Chennai Listed below are many of the ancient temples around Chennai that have great legendary significance. A few popular modern day temples are also listed alongside. This is a dynamic list and will be constantly updated as and when information is got. Last updated on: 26th June 2009 Tambaram – Chenglepat Guduvancheri Kalyana Anjaneyar Temple is located at Thailavaram village near Maraimalai nagar/ Guduvencheri. Anjaneya Swami is seen with his wife Suvarchala (I don’t know any other temple of Anjaneyar with his consort) Shri Nandeeswarar temple at Nandivaram Nandivaram is just half a kilometer east of Guduvancherry bus stand and this temple is very ancient. Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple at Madambakkam This temple is located at Madambakkam (this is different from the Madambakkam near Rajakilpakkam/ Selaiyur) 2 km to the west of Guduvancheri. This is considered to be a Pallava temple. Navagraha shrine normally not present in a Vishnu temple is seen here. In the sanctum sanctorum, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal is seen keeping Sridevi at his left lap embracing her. Ladies do the Kedhara Gowri vradha the day after Deepavali; Marriage prayers are answered. Sri Kalatheeswarar temple at Kattankulathur Considered equivalent to Kalahasthi Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple at Maraimalai Nagar This temple is situated opposite Ford Car Factory at Vivekananda Nagar at Maraimalai Nagar. Though the temple was constructed in the 1990s, the deity enshrined here has an ancient history. Sri Yoga Hayagreevar temple at Chettipunyam Chettipunyam village is at about three km west of Singaperumalkoil, near Chengalpattu. Padaladhri Narasimhaswamy temple at Singaperumal Koil When you go from Tambaram it is on the left side of GST road at Singaperumal Koil, just about 100-200 meters away from the GST road.
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Temples around Chennai
Listed below are many of the ancient temples around Chennai that have great legendary
significance. A few popular modern day temples are also listed alongside. This is a dynamic list
and will be constantly updated as and when information is got.
Last updated on: 26th June 2009
Tambaram – Chenglepat
Guduvancheri
Kalyana Anjaneyar Temple is located at Thailavaram village near Maraimalai nagar/
Guduvencheri. Anjaneya Swami is seen with his wife Suvarchala (I don’t know any other temple
of Anjaneyar with his consort)
Shri Nandeeswarar temple at Nandivaram
Nandivaram is just half a kilometer east of Guduvancherry bus stand and this temple is very
ancient.
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple at Madambakkam
This temple is located at Madambakkam (this is different from the Madambakkam near
Rajakilpakkam/ Selaiyur) 2 km to the west of Guduvancheri. This is considered to be a Pallava
temple. Navagraha shrine normally not present in a Vishnu temple is seen here. In the sanctum
sanctorum, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal is seen keeping Sridevi at his left lap embracing her.
Ladies do the Kedhara Gowri vradha the day after Deepavali; Marriage prayers are answered.
Sri Kalatheeswarar temple at Kattankulathur
Considered equivalent to Kalahasthi
Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple at Maraimalai Nagar
This temple is situated opposite Ford Car Factory at Vivekananda Nagar at Maraimalai Nagar.
Though the temple was constructed in the 1990s, the deity enshrined here has an ancient history.
Sri Yoga Hayagreevar temple at Chettipunyam
Chettipunyam village is at about three km west of Singaperumalkoil, near Chengalpattu.
Padaladhri Narasimhaswamy temple at Singaperumal Koil
When you go from Tambaram it is on the left side of GST road at Singaperumal Koil, just about
100-200 meters away from the GST road.
Agora Veerabadra Swamy (Shivan) temple at Hanumanthapuram
From Singaperumal koil 10 kms towards east at hanumanthapuram, temple for Agora
veerabadrar. The temple can also be reached by the Thirupporur-Chenglepat route. This temple
is famous to cure mentally ill people and there will be many such people wandering over. The
road to the temple is deserted with Govt reserved forest area for a few kms. So you may not want
to visit during the nights.
Vyagrapureeswarar temple at Pulipparakkoil/ Pulipakkam
On the way to Chengelpattu from Chennai, immediately after the Tollgate, one can see a board
written “Siva, Siva” on a roadside hillock on the right side. The tollgate is located in the
Pulipakkam village. Atop the hill is the Vyagrapureeswarar temple with rich historic value. We
can have a clear view of the Chengalpattu lake and is a nice scenic spot to visit.
Singaperumal Koil – Oragadam
Thirukachur
The Shiva temple here is is a Thevara Padal petra Sthalam, famous for Girivalam. About 6kms
from Maraimalai Nagar and 2 kms from Singaperumal koil towards West. More information here
NithyaKalyana Perumal Temple at Aappur
This temple is situated at 5 kms from Thirukkachur towards Sriperumbudur, at a village called
Aappur, in a small hill called Aushadagiri (hill of medicinial herbs). By climbing about 500 steps
you can reach the hill the steps are somewhat steeper than usual. In the hilltop you can see the
beauty of the Nityakalyana perumal as well as beauty of the Nature with full of lakes and reserve
forests.
Shri Varadaraja perumal temple at Vadakkupatti
This temple is located at Vadakkupatti approximately mid-way between Singaperumalkoil and
Oragadam
Chenglepat
Sri Kothanda Ramaswami temple
When you are inside this beautiful temple for Sri Kothanda Ramaswami temple in the serene
atmosphere surrounded by green looking mountains on the backdrop, you will feel you are not in
a town by name Chengalpat but in heaven.
There is a separate sannadhi for Veera Anjaneya where he is in a unique posture pinning Sri Sani
Bhagawan to the ground.
Thirupporur – Chenglepat
Murugar Temple at Thirupporur
Significance: Ancient Shiva temple known for Subrayamanya swamy.
Location: In the Old Mahabalipuram Road (IT Highway), between Kelambakkam and
Mahabalipuram, 36 km from Adayar. There is also link from Chenglepat and Guduvancheri. 25
km from chengalpet.
Main deity: Swayambu linga known as Vanmeega nadhar and Swayambu Subramanyar with
Valli & Deivanai.
Legend: Vishnu to overcome the curse of Sage Kanva worshipped Shiva here and was blessed.
Subramanya fought with demons and preached gyana (knowledge) in this place.
Sthala Vruksham: Vanni.
Theertham: Saravana poigai.
Sembakkam Jambukeswarar Temple
This ancient, beautiful and cleanly maintained Shivasthalam is located in a calm village called
Sembakkam, 7 km from Thirupporur and 20 km from Chenglepat. This is called North
Thiruvanaikka (South Thiruvanaikka is near Srirangam, a Pancha bootha sthalam for Water).
Agasthiar worshipped Shiva here.
Tiruvidaisoolam or Thiruvidaichuram
Significance: One of the 275 sacred temples glorified by the Thevara hymns; 7th Century temple.
Location: 9 kms from Chinglepat and 18 km from Tirupporur in the Chenglepat-Thirupporur
road. The village is in a beautiful location between two hills and so the name Idai-churam
(churam meaning a place of hills and forests).
Main deity: Swayambu Maragatha linga known as Idaichuranathar with Emayamadakkodi
ammai in separate shrines. Also known as Gyanapureeswarar and Govardhanambikai.
Legend: Goddess Parvathi came here as Kamadhenu (cow) with her brother Lord Vishnu and
worshipped Shiva by pouring milk on the Shivalingam. Sages Gowtama and Sanathkumarar
worshipped Shiva here.
Temple: Maragadha linga glitters during harathi time. Santhana prapthi (child boon) is the
special worship benefit of this temple.
Theertham: Mdhura teertham.
Sthala vruksham: Padhiri.
Chenglepat – Mahabalipuram
Nenmeli
Puja for Ancestors/ Forefathers on Amavasya: Nenmeli is situated at about 6 kms from
Chingleput, on the road leading to Mahabalipuram, near Thirukazhukundram. Nenmeli is also
known as Pundarikanallur or Pindam vaiththa nallur as the Lord Srartha Samrakshana Narayanan
at Sri Lakshminarayana Perumal Temple here accepts offerings for the ancestors and forefathers
called pithrus. Any offerings made here are considered as offerings made at Gaya for the pithrus.
Lord Srartha Samrakshana Narayanan Himself is considered to perform the annual rites and
ceremonies for the departed souls for and on behalf of the persons who are unable to offer
prayers, rites and ceremonies for their ancestors.
Pon Vilaintha Kalathur
P V Kalathur village is the abode of historically famous temples. This village with high green
fields is 10 km south of Chengalpattu and 10 km west of Tirukazhukundram. It is said that the
village derives its name because many years back gold was harvested in the fields.
Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
These two temples are adjacent to each other
Arulmugu Meenakshi Amman Samathe Sri Munkudumeeswara temple
Just a km from PV Kalathur, on the way to Pon Pathir Kudam this is another fantastic ancient
shiva temple maintained by ASI and bulit by Rajendra chola.
Pon Pathir Kudam
Chaturbuja Raman is only 4 miles away from Pon Vilaintha Kalathur.
Thirukkazhukundram
Tirukkazhukundram, also known as Dakshina Kailasam, is one of the most celebrated temples of
the 275 glorified by the Thevara hymns.
Vedhagreeswarar temple:
According to legend, the four Vedas, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana, are seen here in the shape
of four boulders, placed one above the other with Lord Shiva as Vedagiriswarar, emerging from
the head of the 4th Veda, Atharvana. Hence the place gets the name Vedagiri. The hill is 500 feet
high and has about 550 steps. The central shrine of Vedagiriswarar is seen built of three large
boulders, constituting the 3 walls of the sanctum sanctorum. The main deity is a Swaymbu
Lingam. In the enclosure around the sanctum sanctorum, are the shrines for Sokkanayagi and for
Vinayakar (in a dancing posture).
Till a few years back, a pair of sacred eagles used to come and worship the Lord Shiva everyday
at an exact time in the noon. They used to come down to a rock where sweet rice was being
offered which was a big attraction. Since the whole eagle sect itself has become extinct (almost)
now, this is not seen nowadays unfortunately.
Bhakthavatsaleswarar Temple:
At the foot of the hill and in the centre of the town is a big temple for Bhaktavatsaleswarar. This
temple has 4 gopurams on each direction like Madurai, the tallest with 9 tiers is on the south side
and the other 3 are with 7 tiers. There is a huge Nandhi facing Vedagiriswarar of the hilltop. The
absence of a Nandhi on the hilltop in front of the presiding deity Vedagiriswarar is a unique
feature. The main mandapam that fringes the inner gopuram contains a fine sculptural
representation of Agora Veerabadrar (Siva in a ferocious form), of 7 feet high. The sculptures of
the temples are examples for Pallava kings skills built in 6th century.
Near the temple, there is a Sangu (conch) Theertha kulam (Temple tank) where a Sangu used to
appear once every 12 years.
Rudhran Temple:
Locted at half a km east of Vedhagreeswarar temple, the Rudhran Temple is older than the
Vedhagreeswarar temple. As per procedure, one has to first visit Rudhran temple and then only
the Vedhagreeswarar. Once Vishnu came to see Shiva here in the form of Garudan; When
Garudazhwar was waiting outside, before Vishnu came out, Nandhikeswarar blew his breath
over Garudazhwar and the feathers of Garudazhwar fell off. Shiva then punished
Nandhikeswarar by making him sink to the ground. When Nandhi’s body started to sink into the
ground, at the behest of Vishnu, Shiva stopped Nandhikeswar at that point. So, you can see
Nandhikeswar partly buried at the ground. By worshipping here once, one can get the benefit of
doing Pradhikshna of a crore of Rudhras at a time.
Oragadam Vadamalleeswarar Temple
Located at 9 kms from Chenglepat in the Chenglepat – Thirukkazhukundram route.
Periyandavar Temple, Thirunilai village
Located at 7 k.m, North West of Thirukalukundram. The legend being that once Lord Shiva
incarnated as a human because of Parvathi Devi’s curse. He was roaming here and there and
could not stay anywhere. Due to this the whole world was in chaos. Finally when He came here,
His Soolayudham fell on this ground and He took shelter permanently.The place is called
Thirunilai, nilai in Tamil meaning staying permanently, named after this holy dwelling.
For many years only a Swayambu Lingam was here in the open ground and only recently a
temple was constructed dedicating it to Periyandavar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Devi
Angalaparameshwari is also blessing along with Periyandavar. When Sakthi’s soolayudham fell
on earth, 21 sand rounds came out and later they took the form of Sivaganams which perform
pooja to Lord Shiva. Swayambu Lingam in the middle of twenty one Sivaganams in the open
ground is a rare view.
The temple is located in a beautiful natural atmosphere by the side of a lake, a small hill and in
the middle of paddy-fields. People can go at anytime and can have the dharshan. The very unique
feature of this temple being the Nandhi is in a standing posture.
The temple pond is very big and called ‘Siddha Amirdha kulam’. Childless couples visit this
temple in large numbers to get their longings come true. After taking a holy dip in the temple
pond called Siddhamirdhakulam, they perform poojas and abisekams by themselves to get their
wish fulfilled.
website: www.periyandavar.com
East Coast Road (ECR)
Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple at Thiru Vidanthai
Significance: One of 108 divya desams.
Location: In Chennai – Mahabalipuram ECR, after Kovalam, about 10 kms before
Mahabalipuram. The temple arch can be seen on the ECR road itself on the right side.
Main deity: Lakshmi varaha perumal in standing posture.
Utsavar: Nithya kalyana perumal and Komavalli thayar.
Legend: Vara perumal married 360 daughters of Sage Klava and He is known as Nithya Kalyana
perumal. All 360 were united into one and named as Lakshmi and He has her on His lap, so the
name as Thiruvidanthai.
Theertham: Kalyana teertham & Varaha teertham.
Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple at Thirukkadalmallai (Mahabalipuram)
Significance: One of 108 Divya desams.
Location: Near Mahabalipuram bus stand; 60 kms from Chennai; 11 kms from Thiruvidanthai.
Main deity: Sthala sayana perumal in sleeping posture; Bujanga sayanam with his right hand on
his chest as Upadesa mudra; Thaayaar – Nilamangai Thaayaar
Theertham: Pundareeka Pushkarini, Garuda river.
Pandurangan temple at Vittalapuram
This is located in the ECR, after Mahabalipuram, 2 km from Pudhupattinam. Built during the
Vijayanagara King Krishna Dhevarayar period (1507-1529). Unlike the other Panduranan
temples, 5 feet tall Pandurangan here is seen with Rukmani and Sathyabama. Mahalakshmi also
has a separate shrine here.
Chenglepat – Kanchipuram
Pazhaya Seevaram Narasimha Swamy
and
Thirumukkoodal Appan Venkatesa Perumal
While going from chenglepat, Pazhaya Seevaram is just before Wallajabad on the main road
itself on the banks of Palar. Thirumukkoodal is just on the opposite bank of the river.
Cheetanancheri Kaleeswarar temple
At 2 kms from Pazhaya seevaram near Wallajabad, this is an ancient and beautiful temlple.
Ilayanar Velur Murugan temple
8 kms from Walajabad and 2 kms from Kavanthandalam, this is a beautiful Murugan temple and
has a legend link with Maagaral and Kadambar koil
Around Kanchipuram
Sri Vedhanadhar temple at Thiruvothoor (Cheyyar)
Significance: One of 275 sacred Shiva temples glorified by the Thevara hymns.
Location: 28 kms from Kancheepuram in Cheyyar
Main deity: Swayambu linga known as Vedanadhar and Elamula Nayakai.
Legend: Shiva preached meaning of Veda to Devas and Sages in this place, hence the name
Thiruvothoor. Vishnu worshipped Shiva here and got his Chakrayudam. Sambandhar sang and
transformed male palm trees to female palm trees here.
Temple: We can see Vishnu’s sculpture in the name of Aadhi Kesava Perumal. Nandhi before
Kodimaram is facing the entrance. There is a stone sculpture of the Palm tree in the temple
premises with Shiva linga under the tree and Sambandhar worshipping it. Arunagirinadhar sang
Thirupugazh.
Theertham: Cheyyar and Kalyana teertham.
Sthala Vrukaham: Palm
Sri Panangateeswarar temple at Thirupankottore
Significance: One of 275 sacred Shiva temples glorified by the Thevara hymns
Location: 10 km from Kanchipuram
Main deity: Swayambu linga known as Panangateeswarar and Amirtha valli ammai.
Name: The place was full of panai (palm) trees and hence the name Panangattore.
Legend: When Sundarar visited this place Shiva appeared before him in the form of an old man
and offered food. Sundarar laughed at him and said when there is no water what is the use of
food. The old man scratched the land under his leg and water started flowing. The old man
disappeared and Sundarar was surprised and sighted out the temple and visited it. He sang hymns
on Siva of this place.
Temple: There are two deities one worshipped by Sage Agasthiar and the other by Saint
Pulasthiar known as Krupadeeswarar and Krupagambikai. The temple is constructed in
Gajaprushta form (elephant back).
Theertham: Jada gangai and Sundara theertham. People say that the level at Sundara theertham is
just 3 feet even today.
Sthala vruksham: Panai tree
Kooram
This village is about 8 – 9 Kms away from Kanchipuram and is the birth place of
Koorathazhwar, A.D 1008. The moolavar of the temple here is Sri Aadhi Kesava Perumal in
Nindra thirukKolam.
Kanchipuram – Manampathi – Vandavasi
Valesswarar Temple at Kuranganil Muttam
Location: 8 km to SouthWest of Kanchepuram. After crossing the Palar bridge in the Vandavasi/
Cheyyar route, you will see Dusi village at around 4 kms. There is a road diversion to
Kuranganilmuttam there and the temple is around 2 kms from there.
Significance: One of the 275 sacred temples glorified by the Thevara hymns
Main deity: Swayambu linga known as Valeeswarar with Valai ammai in separate shrines.
Legend: Vali, Indhran and Yama worshipped shiva here in the form of Kurangu (Monkey), Anil
(Squirrel) and Muttam (Crow) respectively and that’s why the name. This shows that the animals
and birds have worshipped and attained salvation. Vaali worshipped Shiva and hence the name
Vaaleswarar.
Temple: The temple is located in a beautiful place surrounded by fields. Other deities are