This is a list of temples in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, which is famed for Tamil architecture styled Hindu temples, culture, and tradition and commonly known as the Land of Temples.[1] Tamil Nadu has more temples than any other states of India. Tamil Nadu is home to more than 400,000 Hindu temples and is also called "the land of temples" by the media. Many of these temples are over 800 years old and are spread across the state. These temples were built over centuries by the rulers of various dynasties. Vimanas (storeys) and Gopuram (towering gateways to the temple complex) best characterize the temples of Tamil Nadu.[1]
As per the Tamil Nadu Hindu Endowments Board, there are 390,615 temples. Most of the largest Hindu temples reside here.[2] Studded with complex architecture, variety of sculptures, and rich inscriptions, the temples remain the very essence of the culture and heritage of Tamil land,[3] with historical records dating back to at least 3,000 years. Temples are not only considered as a place for spirituality but also shows the way of living, art, culture, knowledge, and sacrifice of people's life to protect the temples from invaders.[4] Many temples contain inscriptions detailing the democratic rule of kings, which later inspired India’s modern voting system. The Vaikunda Perumal Temple, Uthiramerur in Uthiramerur, a village in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu God Maha Vishnu. The inscriptions of the temple indicate that the villagers requested the rulers to allow them to choose their representatives. Parantaka Chola readily acceded to their demand and instituted the Kudavolai system (ballot) of democratically electing the village representatives. The eligibility of the candidates was prescribed with minimum age, educational qualifications of the Vedas and property. There were strictures for the candidates. The candidates should have built their house on their own property. They should not be a part of any other committee, and belong between 35 and 70 years of age. The voters had the right to call back their candidate for failing their duties. The inscriptions also specified strict punishments. The institution was dismembered along with the ending of the Chola regime during the 13th century. Rajiv Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, was inspired by the system after visiting the temple and insisted on improving Panchayat Raj, India's system of local bodies in villages.[5]
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple dedicated to Maha Vishnu located in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India has the largest temple compound in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world.[8][9] Some of these structures have been renovated, expanded and rebuilt over the centuries as a living temple. The latest addition is the outer tower that is approximately 73 metres (240 ft) tall, completed in 1987.[10]Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is often listed as the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, even though Angkor Wat being the largest existing temple in the world is not in use.[11][12] The temple is an active Hindu house of worship and follows the Tenkalai tradition of Sri Vaishnavism. The temple is one of the oldest temples in the world, which consists of inscriptions dating around 100 BCE.[13] Hence, "making it one of the oldest surviving active temple complexes in the world".[citation needed] The Deity finds a mention in the great Sanskrit epic Ramayana and hence is dated around 800 to 400 BCE.[14][15] and is said to be worshipped by the ancestors of Rama. The temple finds mention in the Sangam literature[16] like the
epic Silapadikaram (book 11, lines 35–40):[citation needed] and Akanaṉūṟu. The annual 21-day festival conducted during the Tamil month of Margali (December–January) attracts atleast one million visitors, every year. The temple complex has been nominated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is in UNESCO's tentative list.[8]
The state also abounds with temple tanks. The state has 2,359 temple tanks located in 1,586 temples. The government has identified 1,068 tanks for renovation.[18] People from all over the world visit the Temples of Tamil Nadu and it is one of the major Tourist attraction in India.
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Named as Bhuvaneshar Ganapathy, now called as Manakula Vinayagar. In Tamil 'Manal' means sand and 'Kulam' means pond near the sea, meaning God near the pond of sand.
The only big ancient temple more than 1000 years ago for Uchishtta Ganapathy is situated in Manimoortheeswaram on the banks of River Thamirabarani in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.
5
Sri Poyyamozhi Vinayagar Temple
Sri Poyyamozhi Swayambu Vinayagar
Theevanur (NH 66 (Krishnagiri-Pondicherry National Highway), Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu)
The name Thilatharpanapuri comes from two words thil meaning Gingely and tharpana is the Hindu ritual of performing pithru karmas (ritual of paying tribute to ancestors) to one's ancestors. It is also known as Sethalapathy.
There are 7 sthalams for performing these rituals viz. Kasi, Rameswaram, Srivanchiyam, Thiruvenkadu, Gaya, Triveni Sangamam & Thilatharpanapuri.
The temple is 25 km from Kumbakonam on Thiruvaiyaru bus route. The Vinayagar was actually installed at this temple by Agasthiyar (Ancient Hindu priest) more than 1000 years ago. He had done this with a holy intention of
protecting the globe against of massive starvation. The Ganapathi idol has its own look, where this cannot be seen anywhere else.
This temple is the third among the six Holy Abodes.[31] The Murugan idol was made by Bogar from an amalgam of nine toxic substances (Navabaashaanam)[32]
This is the second among the six abodes and the only seashore Murugan temple. It is here that Surasamharam takes place, as this temple was Murugan's battle camp against the asura Surapadman who was being hosted at Vira Mahendram, a mid-ocean fortress.
Murugan married Valli at this abode. This temple is the fifth among the six Holy Abodes. Murugan imparted the knowledge of Tamil to Sage Agathiyar here[38]
The Kuzhanthai Velappar Temple (Kulandai Velayudha Swami Tirukkovil)[6] has three thousand years of history and was consecrated by Bhogar. The idol is made of Navaphasanam(Dasabashanam) . As per inscriptions in the temple which temple has built by king of Chera dynasty during 10/12 Century.There is a song-poem(Poombarai Velan) by Aruna giri nathar who lived during the 15th century[41]
Kachiappa Sivachariar wrote the sacred Kanda Puraanam at this temple. Also, Murugan assumed the role of the Creator here, after imprisoning Brahma for his ignorance of the meaning of the Pranava manthiram.[45]
The Subramanyar Temple at Valliyur in Tirunelveli District is a rock-cut sanctum carved out of a hill. The Saravanappoigai in this temple was created by Murugan at the request of Valli, his consort.[48]
Muruga blessed the saint-poet Arunagiri Nāthar at Vayalur by writing OM in his tongue and initiated him to compose Tiruppugal. Arunagirināthar wrote 18 verses (910-927) on Vayalur in the Tiruppukal. Nataraja is in the Sadura Danda pose in this Temple.
One of the well known myths associated with Siva is his conquest of Tripuram – the three celestial cities which the Asuras (demons) had taken over, and wreaked havoc over them. The Devas (celestial gods) appealed to Siva for help and asked him to save them from the demons. Siva made mount Meru his bow, and Vasuki the serpent his bow-string and prepared to wage war against the Asuras.
One of the two hill temples for Murugan in Gobi, the other one being Pavazhamalai which is only 2 km away from Pachaimalai. Though this temple is very old, the structure has been built starting 1967.
This hill is also called Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri and Siragiri and is located between Kangeyam and Perundurai. It is one of the better known temples of Murugan in Coimbatore district where Arunagirinathar was blessed with "Padikasu", wealth of coins. This is where a miracle took place in the year 1984 on 12 February. On that eventful day two bullocks of their own accord pulled a bullock cart up the 1320 steps. Saravana Munivar wrote the most popular Chennimalai Sthalapuranam 700 years ago. Milk and curds are used as special offerings to Murugan in Chennimalai and it is the general belief that curds do not become sour here.
The temple was worshiped by Brahma and Kamadhenu. This ancient temple dedicated to Muruga has the distinction of being visited by the Saiva saint Arunagirinathar once. This hill temple enshrines the images of Murugan.
Rathinagiri Bala Murugan Temple was built around the 14th century. Over the passage of time an ordinary sand structure was converted into a stone shrine.
The 14th Century poet Arunagirinathar' has sung about this temple as Rathinakiri Vazh Murukane Ilaya Vaaramarar Perumaley, which means 'Murugan, the God of Devas resides in Rathinagiri'
The benevolent Shiva so as to liberate the entire living being has incarnated himself in many holy Shrines in the so-called Middle Country. (Nadu Naadu). Vriddhachalam (means age old holy hill) is the best among such holy shrines. Two Mile west of this, there is a small village namely Manavalanallur. Where there is abundance of flowery trees bristling with humming of birds and insects. It is known as Manavalanallur because Murugan, the Manavalan (Eternal Bridegroom) has embodied himself here. In the words of Arunagirinathar. "He is the Manavalan residing in the monkeys inhabited hill"
Uthanda Velayudhasamy Temple is the main shrine dedicated turugan after a flight of 100 steps in Uthiyur hills from the ground. It built in dravidian architecture with a huge water-well as well and the little path with few rocky steps beside the temple lead to the base of a hillock and the steps ended there as well. In this shrine, Velayudhaswamy appears with his spear and Peacock. There are many sculptures here and also some ancient era hero-stones.[58]
Siruvaapuri is connected to the epic Ramayanam and is the place where the sons' of Rama, Lava and Kusha lived. Since they fought with Rama here it is called "Siruvar Por Puri", which latter became "Siruvaapuri". However, the village is now called as Chinnambedu. Arunagirinathar the Tamil Saint of 14th century CE has visited this temple and has composed Tiruppukal songs on the Murugan in this temple. He is standing facing the deity. The special feature of this temple is the presence of emarald peacock. The village is located 40 km from Chennai and can be reached by a detour before reaching Puduvoyal near Kavarapettai, before Gummidipoondi in Chennai - Kolkatta NH.
This is the only Navagraham temple where the other eight grahams are also present. But, unlike the usual Navagraham arrangement, all other grahams face Surya here[68]
Shani is the main deity in this temple, unlike other temples where he is worshipped either along with other Navagrahams or is worshipped from a shrine that is a part of a bigger temple.[72]
2
Navapasanam Devipattinam Temple
Navagaragam
Nine stone
Devipattinam
Ramanathapuram(dist)
-
This is one of the Navagaraha temples.
This navagaraha are believed to have built by Rama, an avatar of Vishnu.
This temple is a part of the Sri Ramanathaswami Temple at Tirunaaraiyur. It is the only temple where Saneeswaran is worshipped along with his two wives Mandhadevi and Jyeshtadevi (also known as Neeladevi) and his two sons, Maandhi and Kuligan.[73]
Sage Vasishtar is said to have worshipped Shiva in this temple. Brihaspati is worshipped as Guru Bhagavan from a separate shrine here, unlike in Alangudi where he is worshipped as Dakshinamurthi.[74]
For detailed write up on these temple refer to page on Kundrathur
Ayyanarappan Temples
Sri Porkilai, Sri Poorani Samedha Kaliyurayan Ayyanarappan Temple, Pillur, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu.
Sri Ayyanarappan Temple, Kanniakoil, Cuddalore Road, Puducherry.
Read
AUTHORPÆDIA is hosted by Authorpædia Foundation, Inc. a U.S. non-profit organization.
