Awe-inspiring architecture. Unique festivals. Striking deities. Chennai’s temples always offer a memorable experience.
Whether you’d like to seek blessings, pray, see beautiful architecture, discover fascinating stories, or simply immerse yourself in peace and serenity, the temples in Chennai promise it all.
Your trip to Chennai
A truly unique destination
Chennai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, is where ancient traditions intertwine with modern life. Its numerous temples stand as testaments to the city’s rich spiritual heritage, offering a glimpse into Chennai’s history. From grand complexes to humble shrines, Chennai’s temples provide a captivating journey for spiritual seekers and culture enthusiasts alike.
Escape the bustling city for the serenity and tranquillity of Chennai’s temples, and gain an understanding of why they’re such an important part of the city’s heritage and culture.
Temples to visit in Chennai
Architecture, unmissable views, and tranquillity
There are many temples in Chennai, all of which have their own fascinating stories to tell. Explore the different ways in which the temples are used for blessings, prayer, and a peaceful retreat, and admire striking architecture along the way.
ISKCON Temple
Incredible architecture
Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this vibrant temple is known for its devotional chanting, lively festivals, and vegetarian restaurant. There are a number of deities worshipped here, including Radha Krishna Lalita Vishaka, Jagannath Baladev Subhadra, and Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga. The temple is set across 1.5 acres and has five impressive levels. A large temple hall is located on the first floor and boasts three teak alters housing deities sourced from Jaipur and Orissa.
Look out for:
The temple hall
Spiritual programmes
The prasadam hall
Kalikambal Temple
A powerful temple
Located in the bustling George Town area, this ancient temple is around 3000 years old and dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi – a form of Parvati. Experience the powerful energy and witness traditional rituals. The temple has two towers. The east-facing tower, situated on Thambu Chetty Street, is called Guna Vayil (Quality Entrance). The west-facing tower, located near Fort Street, is called Kuda Vayil (Pot Entrance). It’s believed that those who worship Goddess Kalikambal here will get the benefits of worshipping both Goddess Sri Kamakshi of Kanchipuram and Lord Sri Arunachaleswara of Tiruvannamalai too.
Look out for:
Kalikambal Temple festivals
South-Indian Dravidian architecture
Two important deities of Shri Kalikambal
Cultural Fact File
Ashtalakshmi Temple
Picturesque views
Situated on the scenic Elliot’s Beach, this temple houses eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi as the giver of offspring, success, prosperity, wealth, courage, bravery, food, and knowledge. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and ocean views across the Bay of Bengal as well as the temple’s intricate details and eye-catching colours. Find the eight forms of Lakshmi located on four different levels, including the goddess’s main shrine on the second level. Several festivals are celebrated here, including Pavithra Utsavam, Dhanur Masa Pooja, Janmashtami, Navratri, Deepawali, and Tamil New Year’s Day.
Look out for:
All eight Lakshmi deities
Beautiful architectural details
Serene panoramas across the water
Murugan Temple
Peace and blessings
Considered to be one of the most important temples dedicated to Lord Murugan (Kartikeya), the popular Murugan Temple attracts devotees seeking answers to their problems, including blessings for success and overcoming obstacles. Many who have visited here say their problems were solved, and they found peace. The idol of Lord Murugan can be found in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The temple has been created in typical South Indian style with several stucco figures in dance poses. Expect crowds, especially during festivals including Purattasi, Iypasi, and Margazhi.
Look out for:
Immersive festivals
The holy fig tree
The marriage hall
The best time to visit Chennai is between October and February when the weather is cooler. This will enable you to explore the temples in comfort without getting too hot. Temperatures during this time are typically between 22° and 30°C.
Jagannath Temple
Kalinga architecture
A replica of the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, this temple boasts the same Kalinga architecture and offers darshan (viewing) of Lord Jagannath, who is a form of Krishna. Immerse yourself in the devotional atmosphere. There are 22 steps leading to the shrine which has been created using black granite from Kancheepuram and white marble from Rajasthan. The temple sits within an acre of land, and only the flowers grown here are used for the pooja.
Look out for:
Shrines dedicated to Shiva, Ganesh, and Bimala
The annual Rathayatra festival
Patta Chitra paintings on the walls and ceilings
Additional temples in and around Chennai
Visit some of these amazing temples
You’ll find a whole variety of stunning temples in Chennai and its surrounding areas, some busier and more popular than others. Once you’ve explored some of the city’s main shrines and temples, discover some of the lesser-known options and those you can visit during a day trip.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a 7th-century architectural marvel dedicated to Lord Shiva, known for its intricate carvings, vibrant gopurams (towers), and the annual Arubathu Moovar festival. Considered to be the oldest temple in Chennai, this attraction boasts truly striking architecture, with stunning mythological figures to be seen on the towers. Kapaleeshwarar Temple is home to the sacred Punnai tree, believed to be one of the oldest trees in the city.
Parthasarathy Temple
Parthasarathy Temple is more than 2000 years old, dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Krishna), and renowned for its colourful towers and historical significance. Within the temple, you’ll find icons of five forms of Vishnu: Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha, and Krishna as Parthasarathy. See a sacred tank consisting of five holy wells with water said to be more sacred than that of the Ganges.
Marundeeswarar Temple
Located in Thiruvanmiyur, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as the healer. Locals and tourists visit Marundeeswarar Temple to seek blessings for their health and wellbeing, and find cures for their illnesses. Carvings on the temple’s tower portray inspiring mythological stories, and the three different forms of Lord Shiva – Theyagaraja, Marundeeswarar, and Nataraja – can be found inside.
Varahi Amman Temple (Tiruvottiyur)
Dedicated to Goddess Varahi (a form of Durga), this temple is known for its wish-fulfilling powers and unique rituals. Varahi Amman Temple provides a serene place to enjoy some peace and quiet. However, it becomes very busy during the Tamil month of Masi (between February and March), when the prime festival takes place and it’s time to celebrate.
Golden Temple (Sripuram)
Take a trip from Chennai to the Golden Temple. Located near Vellore, this temple is known for its stunning golden exterior and intricate architecture dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi Narayani. Covered in an impressive 1500g of gold, the details of the temple were handcrafted, making it even more spectacular. Visit during the evening when it shines beautifully under the lights.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple (Mylapore)
A serene temple dedicated to the revered saint Sai Baba – believed to be an incarnation of God – the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple offers a peaceful atmosphere for prayer and meditation. People visit the temple’s main shrine (the Samadhi Mandir) to pray, perform rituals, and experience Sai Baba’s divine energy. Daily rituals are performed accompanied by devotional singing and chanting.
Average prices in Chennai
Planning a trip to Chennai? Smart budgeting is key, as expenses can fluctuate significantly based on your preferences. Here's a list of things you can expect to pay for during your visit:
The temples in Chennai are truly awe-inspiring, with striking idols, deities, and shrines to discover. We know you’ll find those feelings of peace and serenity.
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