Tamil Nadu's temple towns: an introduction for travellers

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Tamil Nadu has some of the largest and oldest temple complexes in the world, many still in daily worship after a thousand years. Here is an introduction to the main temple towns.

Mahabalipuram

Just south of Chennai, Mahabalipuram's Pallava monuments include the Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas and Arjuna's Penance, one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kanchipuram

The "city of a thousand temples", Kanchipuram was the Pallava capital. Its Kailasanathar Temple is one of the oldest structural temples in South India, and its silk weavers are famous.

Thanjavur and the Chola temples

Thanjavur's Brihadeeswarar Temple, completed in 1010, is a masterpiece of Chola architecture. Together with the temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram, it forms the UNESCO-listed Great Living Chola Temples.

Madurai

Madurai grew around the Meenakshi Amman Temple, with towering painted gopurams and the hall of a thousand pillars. The night ceremony is unforgettable.

Rameswaram

On an island linked by the Pamban bridges, Rameswaram's Ramanathaswamy Temple has the longest temple corridor in India and 22 sacred wells.

Other temple towns

Srirangam near Tiruchirappalli, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam and Tiruvannamalai are also important.

Planning a temple tour

• Plan visits for mornings and evenings; many inner shrines close in the afternoon.
• Follow dress codes and remove footwear. See Temple etiquette in South India: dress, rules and customs.
• A car with driver makes temple-hopping much easier.

October to March is the most comfortable season. See our Pilgrimage tours page.