Temples in Tamil Nadu

The principal Shiva temple of Kumbakonam and one of the most important in Tamil Nadu. Lord Kumbeswarar (Shiva who formed the universe from a 'kumba'/pot of nectar) is worshipped here. During the rare Mahamaham festival (once in 12 years), lakhs bathe in the sacred Mahamaham tank adjacent to the temple — the largest religious gathering in Tamil Nadu.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site (Great Living Chola Temples group) built by Raja Raja Chola II in the 12th century CE. Lord Airavateswara (Shiva worshipped by Airavata, Indra's white elephant) is enshrined here. The temple's 'chariot steps' carved to look like a stone chariot and the extraordinary sculptures of Yama, the god of death, are extraordinary.

The Jupiter (Guru/Brihaspati) Navagraha temple near Kumbakonam, where Lord Apatsahayeswara (Shiva who protects from calamity) is the presiding deity. Worshipping here on Thursdays (Jupiter's day) is believed to enhance wisdom, education, fortune, and spiritual growth. The temple tank is called Brahma Theertham.

A vast Shiva temple at the foot of Arunachala hill, revered as the 'Agni' (fire) shrine among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams. Its towering gopuram is among the tallest in India, and the temple hosts Karthigai Deepam, when a giant flame is lit atop the hill and remains visible for miles.

Jupiter (Guru) Navagraha temple. The Guru (Jupiter) Navagraha temple at Azhagaputhur, dedicated to Brihaspati — worshipping here is believed to enhance wisdom, education and prosperity.

A UNESCO World Heritage Chola-era temple built by Raja Raja Chola I and completed around 1010 CE, crowned by a 66-metre vimana capped with a single granite block weighing an estimated 80 tonnes. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it remains a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and Chola engineering.

The 'Prithvi' (earth) Pancha Bhoota Sthalam, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Ekambareswarar, in the temple town of Kanchipuram. Its 58-metre gopuram is among the tallest in Tamil Nadu, and its ancient mango tree — said to be over 3,500 years old — is revered as the spot where Parvati is believed to have worshipped Shiva.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Rajendra Chola I (1025 CE) to celebrate his conquest of the Ganges. A twin to Thanjavur's Big Temple but with a unique curved vimana (tower) — the only example in South Indian temple architecture. The Nandi (Shiva's bull) here is the largest in Tamil Nadu.

The 'Apas' (water) Pancha Bhoota Sthalam, where a natural spring in the sanctum keeps the Shiva lingam partially submerged despite being underground. Located near Srirangam and dedicated to Shiva as Jambukeswarar and his consort Akhilandeswari, it is one of the few shrines where the goddess holds greater prominence than the god.

Venus (Shukra) Navagraha temple. The Shukra (Venus) Navagraha temple at Kanjanur, one of the rarest — Venus is the presiding deity here rather than a subordinate planet.

The most important Shiva temple in Chennai, located in the ancient neighbourhood of Mylapore. The colourful 37-metre gopuram is a Chennai landmark. The temple is associated with the legend of Parvati worshipping Shiva in the form of a peacock (mayil).

Called the 'Kashi of the South' — a Shiva temple housing the same lingam forms as the great Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. Built by the Pandya king Parakrama Pandian in the 15th century, it is architecturally splendid with a 6-tier gopuram. Located 7 km from Courtallam.

An ancient Shiva temple in the former Chola port city of Nagapattinam, where Shiva is worshipped as Kayarohanaswamy (one who rode a shark). Glorified by all three major Saivite poets (Appar, Sambandhar, Sundarar). The Nilayatakshi Amman shrine here is especially sacred.

Ketu Navagraha temple. The Ketu Navagraha temple, collocated near Keezhperumpallam, representing the lunar descending node — completing the Navagraha circuit.

Rahu Navagraha temple. The Rahu Navagraha temple at Keezhperumpallam, dedicated to the lunar ascending node, known for removing malefic Rahu effects in one's horoscope.

A Shiva temple at the base of the famous Courtallam Waterfalls — devotees bathe in the waterfalls before worshipping. Lord Kutralanathar (Shiva of the waterfalls) and Goddess Kuzhalmalar Ammai preside here. The medicated properties of the waterfall water are renowned.

A major Shiva temple where the Goddess Parvati took the form of a peacock (mayura) to worship Shiva — hence the town is called Mayiladuthurai (city of the peacock goddess). Praised by the Nayanmars, this is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams (temples in Thevaram literature).

The 'Akasha' (space) Pancha Bhoota Sthalam, home to the cosmic dancing Shiva as Nataraja — the only shrine where Shiva is worshipped as pure space rather than a lingam. Its Chit Sabha (hall of consciousness) is roofed with 21,600 gold tiles, said to represent the number of breaths a person takes in a day.

The principal temple of Tirunelveli city, dedicated to Lord Nellaiappar (Shiva as lord of the paddy field) and Goddess Kanthimathi Ambal. Famous for its exceptional golden lily tank (porthamarai kulam) and a musical pillar hall where 48 of the 161 pillars emit musical tones. One of the finest Pandya-era temples in Tamil Nadu.

One of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva and one of the four Char Dham sites, on the island of Rameshwaram. The temple is famed for its corridor of sculpted pillars — among the longest temple corridors in the world — and its 22 sacred wells (theerthams), which pilgrims traditionally bathe in before darshan.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site — a 8th-century Pallava-era granite temple complex standing on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. One of the oldest structural stone temples of South India, dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The setting at sunset with the sea behind is extraordinary.

A 7th-century CE Shiva temple glorified by all four major Nayanmars (Shiva poet-saints) — Thirugnana Sambandhar was born in Sirkazhi. The only temple in the world praised by all four principal Nayanmars. The presiding deity Brahmadesam (Shiva as Lord of Brahma's place) is unique.

Sun (Surya) Navagraha temple. The Surya (Sun) Navagraha temple near Kumbakonam; the only shrine among the nine where all nine planetary deities are installed in separate shrines around the main lingam.

A unique 'Sthalasayana Perumal Temple' where Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are worshipped together as one deity (Thanumayan). The 46-metre gopuram and the 4.3-metre monolithic Hanuman statue are remarkable. Located 13 km from Kanyakumari.

Moon (Chandra) Navagraha temple. The Chandra (Moon) Navagraha temple at Thingalur, where the presiding deity of the moon is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva to regain his brightness.

The Rahu (ascending lunar node) Navagraha temple near Kumbakonam, where the presiding deity is Naganatha Swamy (Shiva). Uniquely, Rahu is said to turn white during his worship here — an observed natural phenomenon. The main lingam glows with a mysterious blue light on Rahu worship days. One of the most powerful Navagraha temples.

Saturn (Shani) Navagraha temple. The Shani (Saturn) Navagraha temple at Thirunallaru — one of the most visited in the circuit, as Shani (Saturn) is widely propitiated to ward off hardship.

Mercury (Budha) Navagraha temple. The Budha (Mercury) Navagraha temple at Thiruvenkadu, said to be the spot where Mercury worshipped Shiva to be released from a curse.

One of the largest and oldest Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, covering 25 acres. Lord Thyagaraja (Shiva as the Lord of Dance) is worshipped here with a magnificent Theppam (float festival) on the famous temple tank. The car festival (ther) here uses the world's largest temple chariot.

Mars (Angaraka) Navagraha temple. The Angaraka (Mars) Navagraha temple, famous for its miraculous sacred tank (Siddhaamirtham) and the deity's power to cure diseases — thousands visit for healing.

An ancient Shiva temple near the historic Vedaranyam salt marsh — Gandhi led the Vedaranyam March here in 1930 as a symbolic parallel to the Dandi Salt March. Lord Vedaranyeswarar and Goddess Yogambikai preside. The Mayana Kollai festival (bone-gathering festival) here is unique.