Chennai Temples

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is the gate way to South India.  It is home to dozen temples, some of them over 1200 year old.

Sri Parthasarathy Temple

This Vaishnavite temple at Triplicane is dedicated to Lord Parthasarathy, is one of the 108 Divya Desams. It was built in the 8th Century by anearly Pallava King.  The temple has five shrines and is the only Divya Desams, when Lord Krishna is seen enshrined with images of his family.
According to a legend, the Saptha Rishis have worshipped the five deities in this temple, known as Pancha Veeras.  They areVenkata krishnaswamy with Rukmimi, Sathyaki, Balarama, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha. The all flowers in the temple tank lend the name allikkeni.  Tiruvallikkeni is one of the well visited Divya Desams and is a well known landmark in the Chennai metropolis.
Tirumanjanam is performed on Friday to Venkatakrishnan.  The annual Brammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai (April – May) for 10 days.  The glass palanquin here is of great beauty.  Vaikuntha Ekadasi celebrated in Marzhi (Dec – Jan) draws a large number of Pilgrims.  Vaikuntha Ekadasi is celebrated for 20 days.

Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple

This ancient temple at Mylapore is dedicated to Sri Kapaleeswarar an aspect of Lord Shiva.  The legend is goddess Parvathi transformed her into a peacock and worshiped Lord Shiva to obtain deliverance.  This legend is portrayed in a sculpture inside the temple.  The temple has a Vast tower studded with stucco images.
The temple is famed for being the site of a miracle when saint Gnanasambandar sang a hymn to Lord kapaleeswarar to resurrect a dead girl from her ashes.  This is sculpturally represented in the shrine of the saint in front of the temple flagstaff.

Sri Marundeeswarar Temple

This ancient temple is situated in Tiruvanmyur.  Te vast temple complex as you leave the city, when you drive south of Chennai along the coast.  This is the 25th Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region.  Here Lord Siva is dedicated as Marundeeswarar, and Ambal is dedicated as Chokka Nayaki and Tripura Sundari.
The legends say that Valmiki Maharishi is said to have worshipped Shiva here.  Kamadhenu is said to have poured her milk over the Shivalingam and offered worship.  The Vedas and the Devas are said to have worshipped Shiva here in this large temple.

Sri Karumaariamman Temple

The Karumaariamman temple at Tiruverkadu near Chennai is one of the most revered and visited temples in the vicinity of Chennai.  It enshrines an image of Karumaariamma, discovered in an anthill.  This shrine was enlarged and rebuilt in the middle of the 20th century.  An image of Renuka Parameswari, is enshrined in the sanctum, in front of Devi Karumaari Amman. A tank is located in front of the temple entrance.
The temple has been designed so that the rays of the sun illuminte the sanctum in the months of Thai and Aadi.   The Aadi Utsavam, Thai Poosam, and Chitra Pournami are the festivals celebrated here.

Other Temples in the city

Asta Lakshmi temple at Adyar, Murugan Temple at Vadapalani, Rajarajeswari temple at Nanganallur, Ekambareswarar temple at North Chennai Kalikambal Temple at George Town.

 

 

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