Temples of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is also popular as 'land of temples' for its grand temples that are architectural masterpieces. There are 30,000 plus temples constructed by rulers of different dynasties over the years. These Tamil Nadu temples are standing testimony to the rich Dravidian art and culture. Each temple showcases a distinctive style, built by Chola, Pallava, Nayak, Pandya and Vijaynagar rulers, who were great patrons of art and architecture.

Chidambaram Temple
Chidambaram Tourism Guide, is the seat of the cosmic dancer Nataraja (Ananda Tandava pose ; the Cosmic Dance of bliss). Chidambaram is one of the foremost Saivite shrines; the very name Kovil refers to Chidambaram, where Natarajar is enshrined in the Chit Sabha or the Hall of Consciousness, in the Ananda Tandavam (Dance of Bliss) pose. Chidambaram is one of the Panchabhoota Stalams signifying the 5 elements of wind water , fire , earth and space. The Moovar (Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar) as well as Manikkavacakar have sung praises of Chidambaram. Several literary works praise the glory of Chidambaram.

Meenakshi Temple
In one of the largest temple complexes in India, from her rambling maze-like palace the Goddess Meenakshi presides over the ancient city of Madurai-the Athens of South India. But for older than the city itself is the nucleus of the temple. Far older than that, the faith that the Meenakshi temple (Travel & Tourism) signifies. The grandeur of the Meenakshi Temple has remained undiminished for the past two thousand years. This sprawling and awe-inspiring temple complex is not only a marvel of architecture but also a veritable treasure trove of Indian culture and civilization. It is also one of the largest temple complexes in India.
The 'city of virtue' is one of the most ancient heritage sites of India truly reflective of the cultural ethos of India. Madurai is closely associated with the literary wealth of Classical and Modern Tamil. The crowning glory of this historic city is the sprawling Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. Four of the 6 major streams of the indigenous system of beliefs as codified by Sankaracharya (i.e. Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and the worship of Skanda) meet in this historic city during festive occasions when the entire region is transformed into a vast space of celebration.

Madurai Murugan Temple
Tirupporur (place of the sacred war) is one of the 33 major Temples of Tamilnadu dedicated to Lord Muruga, situated 25-km away from Chingleput and 45-km from Chennai. Tirrupporur is an ancient temple dating back to the Pallava period. Tirupporur is an ancient temple dating back to the Pallava period and is one of 33 major Temples in Tamil Nadu dedicated to the worship of Murugan. Tirupporur is situated 25 kilometers northeast of Chingleput and is connected by bus service with Chennai at a distance of 45 kilometers. There are many legends related to Tirupporur according to one, Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi were subjected to the curse of Kanva rishi. In order to liberate them from its effects Lord Shiva came to this place and relieved them from its effects. Hence Tirupporur temple has a lot of significance where Lord Shiva and his son Muruga (also spelt as Murugan) are worshipped. The Sthalapurana also discloses that Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Devayanai granted protection to devas and expounded the meaning of Pranava to Agastya Muni at this place.

Rameshwaram Temple
Pilgrimage tour to Tamil Nadu is incomplete without taking a trip to Rameshwaram. One of the most sacred place in the city, Rameshwaram temple awaits thousands of pilgrims every year. It is believed whosoever visit Varanasi, is supposed to take Rameshwaram Tamil Nadu Temple Tour to complete his pilgrimage. Plan for Rameshwaram temple tour to know the legendary tale related to this world renowned holy shrine. The legends believes, Lord Rama offered prayers to Shiva in form of the a Shiva Lingam, on his return to Ayodhya. The lingam was made of earth by Sita, consort of Lord Rama. This Shiva lingam is now popularly known as Ramalingam.

Kanyakumari Temple
Kanyakumari was once referred to as the Alexandria of the east. This place has been a great center for art, culture, civilization, and pilgrimage for years. It was also a famous center for commerce and trade. During the early part of the eighth century AD Islam entered the southern part of India through the sea route with traders and missionaries. Through St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ, Christianity arrived in this area in AD 52. Islam, Christianity and Jainism have greatly contributed to the architectural wealth and literary heritage of this place. Kanyakumari was also under the control of the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks who were great rulers of south India. The architectural beauty of the temples is the work of these rulers.
Legend has it that Kanya Devi, an avatar of Goddess Parvati, was to wed Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu trinity. But he did not turn up at the auspicious time and the wedding never took place. The rice and cereals meant for the marriage remained uncooked. Even today, one can buy stones there that look exactly like rice and cereals. Local folks believe that they are the leftovers of the legendary marriage that could not be solemnized. As for the princess Kanya Devi, she became a virgin goddess

Chayavaneashwara Temple
bout a mile away the confluence of River Kaveri with the sea, known as Kaveri- patnam, and two miles from Tiruvengadu, there exists an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Siva revered as Chayavaneswarar. The place is known as Chaikadu (Chayavanam). Religious anchorage Much ecclesiastical adherance is anchored to this temple and the pilgrims after sanctification at the confluence of worship of Lord Chayavaneswara seek his blessings. According to Hindu religious rites an ablution at the concourse of a river with the sea is considered religiously meritorious.

Chennai Krishnapuram Temple
Krishnapuram is a small village situated in Tirunelveli District at a distance of about six miles from Tirunelveli town. There are a plenty of images and idols of sculptural interest in the temple, enticing hundreds of visitors. Lord Venkata- Chalapathy has been installed here with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Pujas and abhishekam are being conducted to the Lord daily and some important festivals are celebrated every year (Krishnapuram Tour India). There are many impressive images of ingenious and exquisite workmanship in the mandaparn, which is just opposite the presiding deity. One of the pillars represents the story of the adventure of Bhimasena with Purushamrigam. To fulfil the ritual at an important yagna, Yudhishthira required the milk of Purushamrigam, a half-man, half-beast denizen of the forests, this creature is a devoted Siva bhakta and Bhimasena achieved his purpose when it was in deep penance.
Krishnapuram's lithic images are unique in nature than that of others found in other temples. They are very vivacious. Life seems to overflow the river of sculptures. This temple can be referred as touch stone for art critics. This kind of liveliness can only be seen here and not elsewhere.

Kumbeswara Temple
This is the largest and the oldest Shiva temple located in the center of the town of Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Kumbeswara and the presiding Goddess is Sri Mangalambigai. There is a shrine dedicated to Adi Vinayaka (Lord Ganesh). Kumbeswara, HistoryA Chola King built the Kumbeswara Temple and the temple building itself would seem to have been renovated by the Nayak King. Some of the old images like "Sri Ambal", "Sri Durgaiamman" and "Sri Kirathamoorti" bear the impress of the antiquity about them.

Swamimalai Temple
Swamimalai is one of the six renowned abodes of Lord Subramanya. The temple is built on an artificial hill and is approached by a flight of steps. The presiding deity is worshipped as Swaminathan. The temple has three 'gopuram' with three 'praharam'. The 'gopuram' on the south side of the temple is decorated with statues and contains five storeys while the other two entrances have no towers above them.
Swamimalai is a sylvan village, located about five kilometers west of Kumbakonam on the banks of a tributary of river Cauvery. The temple is situated in close proximity to the bus stand and the railway station is about two kilometers away. It is well connected to and circumscribed by important Place to See like Kumbakonam, Tiruvidaimarutur, Mayiladuthurai, Papanasam, Tanjavur etc, Tour to Swamimalai Temple India.

St. Stephen's Church
The St. Stephen's Church, located on the Mysore road, near the Collectorate,is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris. It dates back to the days of Rt. Hon'ble Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the then Governor of Madras, who keenly felt the need for a cathedral exclusively for the British, in Ooty.He laid the foundation for the church on April 23, 1829, to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. St. Stephen's Church was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Turner, Bishop of Calcutta, on November 5,1830,and was given the name of the Governor since he was the driving force behind it. It was thrown open to public communion on Easter Sunday-April 3,1831.
The church has a fine pew with a raised chancel. There are stained-glass painting on the eastern side as well as behind the chancel depicting Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms and the crucifixion of Christ among others. On the Western wall, above the panelled doorways, is a large life-like painting of the Last Supper. The vestry is in the cellar down the chancel. The pulpit is on the left of the chancel and attached to it is a small flight of steps. A pleasant surprise awaits one in the attic of the third tier of the church. Here, instead of the big metallic bell, one comes across novel but antique hammer like structures (four in number) tied on to inverted "V" Shaped planks, with ropes. There are four thick iron bars on the Eastern as well as the Western side screwed on to thick wooden beams and they hang from above at different heights in a slanting fashion, and face each other. There are pulleys attached with solid wires, which operate the hammers, and which reach the ground floor through the gaps in between the planks on the floor. The entire structure is housed on a tall, sturdy stool, which is open on all the fourth sides. When the wires are pulled from the floor, a rhythmic musical sound is produced.

Airavatheeswara Temple
The Chola architecture, as manifested in the various monuments, came into full flowering in the district of Tanjore. One such living monument is the temple of Airavatheeswara located at Dharasuram. The temple, constructed by Raja Raja II, 1150- 1173 AD, has now been recognised as a world heritage monument by the UNESCO. The Airavatheeswara temple is an outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure form of the Dravida type temple, Tour to Airavatheeswara Temple India.

Kailasamundaiyar Temple
The highlight of this temple are the inscriptions on the wall that are the oldest references to to Sankara Bhashyam, a commentary on Sankara's philosophy by Chidaananda Bhattaara. The inscription is written in Tamil language with a Sanskrit words in between written in Grantha characters. Amidst the lush green paddyfields and sylvan surrounding on the northern banks of the Uyyakondan channel in a sleepy hamlet named Cholamadevi near Thiruverumbur, 12 km away from Trichy City, stands a dilapidated temple. But for a trained eye, the historical importance of its majestic ruins wouldn't go unnoticed. The Kailasamundaiyar temple, dating back to the 11th century, is a virtual treasure house of historic information pertaining to the Cholas. The adhistana and the walls of the temple are fully covered with inscriptions belonging to the periods of Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I and Vira Rajendra Chola I. A majority of the inscriptions belong to Raja Raja I. Further, the inscriptions contain the earliest known reference to Sankara Bhashyam, a commentary on Sankara's philosophy, written by Chidaananda Bhattaara. The inscription is in Tamil with a few Sanskrit words in between written in Grantha characters.

Nageswaran Temple
Built in the initial years of 11th century, this temple is an excellent example of Chola sculpture. It attracts many foreigners anxious to understand the rock wall edicts and study the sculptures. The Tanjore District has a definite magic- a magic endowed by the towering presence of many ancient temples, built over 1000 years ago. One such temple is the Nageswaran Temple India, a place where where devotion, mythology and aesthetics form an ideal medley. Built around 1005 A.D, it is an outstanding symbol of Chola sculpture. It draws many foreigners keen to interpret the rock wall edicts and study the sculptures and also Tourist Place to See in Tamilnadu