Tamil Nadu is an astonishing state replete with marvelous temples which brilliantly styled in their architecture and a divine characteristic that is profound of this quaint destination. Each grandiosely built shrine has its own wonderful legend and with temples situated in mostly every part of this religious state and the sea-shore bordering the surroundings, it sometimes appears like a magical dreamland of revered holy places. The locals are also religious and the food here is mouth-watering, Tamil Nadu really calls for an extending vacation where you can exhaust yourself by discovering the sacred temples and spending the rest of your days pondering over the coastal lines. So, here we are to make the expedition task easy for you as below is the list of the most famous temples in Tamil Nadu that should be visited to immerse oneself in the divine yet skillful aura of this amazing land!
1. Kapaleeswarar Temple, Chennai
This beautifully styled temple is devoted to Maa Parvati in the avatar of Karpagambal and also to Lord Shiva. The Gopuram of Kapaleeswarar Temple is in the form of Dravidian design and there are also many inscriptions which are from ancient 12th century times. The festivals of Tamilians are hosted here every year which draws hundreds of devotees and the temple premises are elegantly designed and will mesmerize you with its superlative architecture.
2. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple has been one of the astonishing temples of the state and attracts tourists in large numbers. There is a fine tranquility and bliss in the air and the exquisitely created temple is eye-catching and spellbinding. It is devoted to Lord Shiva as Lord Sundareswarar and his wife, Maa Parvati as Goddess Meenakshi. The gopurams of the premises are a total of 14 out of which two are the golden ones of the main deities of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. It has been restructured and corridors and structures are augmented by the kings and the accurate time is not really mentioned when it was created. The temple is mostly speculated to be made around 12th to 18th century and the ancient tale about the Meenakshi Temple says that here Goddess Meenakshi was married to Lord Shiva and this auspicious occasion is even organized and rejoiced every year during summers.
3. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram
Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the chiefly revered temples of the state and holds to record for having the 3000 ft longest corridor in the entire world. It is said, that this is the place where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to endow him with the might to destroy his ardent devotee. There is a sand linga named as Ramalingam in the premises of Ramanathaswamy Temple and is made by Goddess Sita, Lord Rama’s consort. There is also another one known as Vishwalingam which was carried by Lord Hanuman from the mountains of Himalayas. The quaint aura of Rameshwaram complements the holy tranquility of Ramanathaswamy Temple and brings you in a place where there’s total harmony!
4. Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Nataraja Temple is a part of Panch Bhootha Sthalas or the five natural elements and this temple stands for the element of akasha. It is devoted to Lord Shiva as Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal. Lord Shiva’s Ananda Tandava position is the notable aspect and this dance stance is a part of where the Bharathanatyam was derived. You will also find the 108 Bharathanatyam postures in the temple compound and an amazing fact of the Nataraja Temple is that it is one of those divine shrines where the Shaivite and Vaishnavite divinities are found together.
5. Ekambareswara Temple, Kanchipuram
Another remarkable temple devoted to Lord Shiva, the Ekambareswara Temple of Kanchipuram is regarded as the primary one of the seven major pilgrimage temples of India. It is a prime Lord Shiva Temple which is a part of Panch Bhooth Sthalam and it stands for the earth element as the revered God here is Prithvi Lingam. It is said that here Maa Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife, revered a Prithvi Lingam beneath a mango tree and the Prithvi Lingam was made of sand. The ancient mango tree is 3500 years is what is referred to as quintessence of the Four Vedas of Hindu Mythology. This mango tree produces fruits which are of four diverse flavors and corresponding to the four Indian seasons. The temple also hosts six worship pujas every day which are called as UshadKalam, Kaalasanthi, Uchi Kaalam, Pradosham and Sayarakshai and Ardhajamam. This beautiful temple’s quintessential divinity will surround you being here and will transport into a state of spirituality positively.
These temples have been the age-old legends of Tamil Nadu’s rich legacy and are standing strong gloriously to make anyone go wow over their incredible architecture. This religious heritage is what this place is the most visited for and if you spared a day or two you should really relax yourself near the sea pondering over how splendid Tamil Nadu is to awestruck anyone, happy journey!
