Temples-
Hindu Temple
Kapaleeswarar Temple :
Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore is dedicated to Lord Siva . The intricate designs and sculptures on the “Gopuram” of this temple attract every one. The legend says that Goddess Parvathi worshipped Lord Siva in the form of a peacock- “Mayil” in Tamil - that gave the name to this part of the city. According to another legend, Saint Thirugnana Sambandar brought back a dead girl to life upon composing and chanting a hymn on the presiding deity. This temple celebrates its yearly festival in March-April every year for ten days. The Arupathumoovar (the sixty-three) festival on the tenth day is one of the highlights of this festival, which attracts pilgrims from far and near.
Time : Morning 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Evening 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Mylapore, Chennai - 4. Tel : 24941670.
Parthasarathy Swamy Temple :
It is one of the most reputed temples for the followers of Vaishnavism, a sub-sect of Hinduism. Located in Triplicane, this is also an excellent specimen of ancient South Indian temple architecture. This is where you can see the different ’avatars’ (incarnations) of Lord Mahavishnu. You could also see here an elephant taking part in the temple’s daily rituals.
Time : Morning 6.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Evening 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Triplicane, Chennai-600 005, Tel : 28544118
Ashtalakshmi Temple :
The name Ashtalakshmi is obtained because it is dedicated to Eight Manifestation of Goddess Mahalakshmi. The festival season is between the month of September and October. The Navararthri Festival is celebrated in a grand manner, Devotes from all over the city flock to this temple to attend this festival and also to take a cool breeze in the beach with family members. This is located at Elliots Beach which is approximately 10 kms.
Time : Morning 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Evening 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Elliots Beach, Chennai - 600 090 . Tel : 24911763
Sri Vadapalani Andavar Temple :
This renowned temple, a little over a century old, is of great beauty and grandeur. Dedicated to Sri Palani Andavar, it has an exquisite 4 feet sculpture of the presiding deity. Time : Morning 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Evening 3.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Located at Vadapalani, Chennai-26, Tel : 24836903.
Kali Bari :
Kali Bari at Chennai is a great Spiritual Institution. Kali Bari means “The House of Goddess Kali”. It is a unique temple on the lines of Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Calcutta. It is conveniently located within the city at 32, Umapathy Extension, West Mambalam. It has a peaceful Meditation Hall where occasionally Bhajans are conducted and discourses on various spiritual topics are given. Durga Pooja at Navarathri and Kali Pooja at Deepavali are celebrated in a grand manner.
Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
32, Umapathy St, Chennai - 600 033. Tel : 24837170.
Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna :
The Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna located within the premises of the Ramakrishna Mutt in Mylapore is a standing monument dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna, a symbol of Universal Religion. The temple’s architecture blends with the traditional South Indian Temple architecture. At the centre of the shrine is a 7 feet tall statue of Sri Ramakrishna. Carved out of pure marble, it depicts the image of Sri Ramakrishna, seated on a marble lotus. It also houses shrines for Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. The main entrance presents a magnificent view with its structure built on traditional Dravidian architecture. The shrine is not for any particular set and is meant for all people seeking ‘knowledge of the self.
Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m Situated at R.K Mutt Road, Chennai - 4. Tel : 24941231.
Mangadu :
Another suburb of the Chennai famous for goddess Kamakshiamman temple. The presiding deity is presented here is in a penance posture.
Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. This temple situated around the Chennai at Mangadu, Chennai - 602 101, Tel : 26272053.
Thiruneermalai :
A small village situated 18 kms off chennai known for Vaishna temples. A later Chola period (12th century) temple is an impressive specimen for temples. There is another temple situated atop a small hillock is dedicated to Ranganathan - an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Tel : 22404174.
Thirukkalukundram :
A temple town lies on way to Kancheepuram from Mamallapuram, this town is famous for its temple where two eagles are fed daily around noon by a temple priest. The eagles said to be two saints, on curse became the eagles fly daily from Varanasi (Benaras) to Rameswaram, according to a legend. During their daily flight they stop over in this hill top temple, it adds.
Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m
Tel : 954112-247139.
Mayurapuram, north of Thiruvanmiyur, Pamban Swamigal Samadhi:
Pamban Swamigal was born in 1850 in Pamban near Rameswaram, was one of the Siddhas of Later Tamil tradition. He attained salvation in 1929.
Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. His Samadhi temple in found in Mayurapuram north of Thiruvanmiyur, 13 k.m. drive from Chennai. Tel : 24911866.
Thirumala, Thirupathi Devasthanam :
Thirumalai Thirupathi Devasthanam situated in Andhra is one of the important temples of India. The Information centre for this temples is Thirumalai Thirupathi Devasthanam. People who like to commute to Thirupathi from Chennai can receive all information from here. This office functions on Saturdays and Sundays. This devasthanam will be closed every month 2nd Monday all Tuesdays and other national holidays.
Time : Morning 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Evening 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Location : Thirupathy Devasthan Information Centre, 50, Venkata Narayan Salai, T.Nagar, Chennai-600 017. Tel : 24343535.
Thiruvottriyur Temple , Pattinathar's Salvation :
One of the 18 Superior saints of Tamilnadu Siddha tradition, who lived in 10th Century AD attained Salvation in a temple in Thiruvottiyur which is 8 Km drive from Chennai.
Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple -(Mylapore) :
Known as All India Sai Baba Samaj. This temple was built to commomerate the memory of Shrdi Sai Baba. This Saint born in Shirdi as a Hindu was brought by a muslim Fakir (Devotee) and became an exponent of Sufism. He too performed “Sithu” (Miracles) like his mentor. Part of the jothi (Flame) lit by him in Shirdi is here as well. On Sundays Agni Pooja is performed.
Working hours : Morning 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. Evening 4 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Location : All India Sai Samaj, 15, Venketesa Agraharam, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. Tel : 24940784
Ayyappa Temple (Mahalingapuram) :
Lord Ayyappa of Sabari Malai in Kerala is the presiding Diety here as well. Like the original one this also has 18 steps. Special Poojas take place during Oct-Jan. The devotees on pilgrimage make it a point to visit this temple as well. This temple is situated in Mahalingapuram.
Location : 18, Madhavan Nair st, Mahalingapuram, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034. Tel : 28271197.
Time : Morning 4.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.; Evening 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna :
This movement founded by Swami Bakthi Vedantha Prabu Padha believes in worshipping Lord Krishna in joyful bliss. It has devotees all over the world and this centre acts as a connecting link. Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m This functions in Chennai at 32, Barkit Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017. Tel : 24343266, 24348610.
Kunrathur :
It is the birth place of Sekkizhar. He built the Nageswarar temple here. A Shiva temple, the presiding deity being Tiruvallisvarar, an aged Vishnu temple with excellent sculptures of Rama and Hanuman and a hill shrine dedicated to Lord Muruga are other temples in Kunrathur. Tel : 24780436
Kaligambal Temple :
The deity is Kaligambal. The other form of Parasakthi is Kali. She took this form to eradicate evil. With angry look this female deity by destroying evil is stead fast to truth. She is a deity whom people worship with fear.
Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m Location : 212, Thambu Chetty St, Chennai -600 001. Tel : 25229624
Ayyapan Temple - (Raja Annamalaipuram) :
As in Mahalingapuram this is yet another Ayyappan Temple at Raja Annamalaipuram built on the same line and attracts devotees in large numbers.
Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai - 600 028. Tel : 24938239.
Mathyakailash :
This is also called as ‘Nadukailai’ Lord Ganesh sits right in the centre of Parameshwar, Ambikai, Adityan, and Thirumal. Here there are ‘Sannidhis’ for Anjaneyar and Bairavar besides the ‘Nava-Grahas’. Situated at Adayar on the way to Taramani this beautiful temple in white marble is the delight of connoisseur.
Timing : 5.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Location : Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai - 20, Tel : 22350059
Marutheeswarar Temple :
Building of this temple dates back to 11th century. People believe Saint Valmigi the author of the Epic Ramayana has visited this temple. This temple also bears ample testimony to our ancient Art and Culture.
Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041. Tel : 24410477.
Thiruvalluvar Temple :
This is a memorial built 400 years earlier in memory of Thiruvalluvar. But people considered Thiruvalluvar as God and performed poojas and changed the memorial in to a temple. Hence, it is called Thiruvalluvar Temple.
Location : Thiruvalluvar Koil St, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. Tel : 24981898.
Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple :
This holy shrine is one among the 100 temples called Tirupathy. The goddess Lakshmi is also called as ‘Thiru’. The presiding diety is holding her on the left side. So it is called Thiru-Idathu-Eanthai which over a period of time came to be called as Thiru-vidanthai. Tamil Saint Thiru Mangai Alwar has sung the glory of this holy place in ten places in his famous ‘Pasuram’. There are several messages relating to this is available in the stone scripture of first Raja Raja Cholan and Vijaya Rajendra Cholan. Garuda Sevai during the Tamil month of Aani, Pooram during the month of Aadi, Spring festival during the month of Vaigasi are the important events.
Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. This temple situated in a distance of 42 kms from Chennai and 16 kms from Mahabalipuram. Tel : 954114-2472235.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple - (Injambakkam) :
In this temple built by Shri Shridi Saibaba spiritual and charitable trust almost all the deities are installed. particularly Vallabha Ganapathy with ten arms. The Tri Murthy Brahma Vishnu and Siva statutes are also here besides that of Thattariya, Lingam, Parvathi, Durga etc. This is the first temple out of 108 built on the initiatives taken by the Guruji of Delhi temple and the IPS officer C.P. Satpathy. To get their vows fulfilled people tie a yellow chord in the Kalpatharoo tree here. Feeding of the poor takes place every Sunday and Thursday.
The Aarathi is performed at 5.30 am to 8.45 p.m. This is situated at Saipuram, Injambakkam, Chennai - 600 041. Tel : 24491297, 24491416.
Poori Jegannath Temple :
Situated in Reddiar Kuppam, Kaanathur an immediate suburb of Chennai, this Temple is an exact Replica of the orginal temple in Poori (Orissa) with twenty two steps made in marble. Right round the Sanctum Sanctorum inducted are the deities Ganesh, Laxmi and Durga. The peaceful and Tranquil ambience of this temple is indeed the delight of devotees who throng here. Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tel : 954114 272141
