Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India, and the Union Territory of Pondicherry are home to Tamil Culture and Civilization that is millennia old. The many dynasties that have ruled here have left behind a wealth of art and architecture. The numerous temples here are the main repositories of this cultural and spiritual wealth. This blog will strive to help the reader explore these temples including the lesser known temples which are true hidden gems.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Welcome to this blog about the Temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. These blog posts will highlight and give brief descriptions of various temples and also focus on related subjects. We invite you to explore the content and learn about these wonderful places.
Blog Navigation
This blog site is easy to navigate. This section will explain how to navigate the various pages for users with basic technical knowledge about blog sites in general.
This blog site has a number of pages. The landing page (the page that you will see when you click on a link that you see on a social media platform or email) is often the Home Page. All the pages are listed as links on the top of every page. Click on them and it will take you to that page. The number (#) at the end of a temple blog post title indicates its position in the sequence of posts about individual temples. They do not include general topics.
The following is a list of the pages and their descriptions:
1.Home - This is the Home Page and contains blog posts published periodically, about once a week or every two weeks. Most of the posts are about specific temples but sometimes a general topic is addressed.
2.About - This page is a general introduction to the blog and the subject. It has sections about blog navigation, tips on using the blog and a list of temples featured in the blog posts in alphabetical order.
3.Information - Here the reader will find various articles about the temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. They cover the history, architectural aspects and other related topics.
4.Guide - This page consists of sections with useful information that will guide readers who are planning a trip to visit these temples.
5.Resources - This page contains useful links to external websites and blogs about Temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry and a list of books. The list of resources under websites and blogs is made up of clickable links that will take the reader to these external sites.
6.Members - This is a forum for discussion that is available for those readers who register as members and have to log in to participate.
7. FAQs - Here you will find answers to commonly asked questions about the temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
8. Glossary - This page will list terms used in this blog and their explanations in alphabetical order. It will facilitate the reader to quickly look up the meaning and context of these terms.
9. Legal - This page is about the rules including copyright and permissions.
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HOW TO USE THIS BLOG
This blog will try to introduce the reader to the temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in India. Some of our blog posts will periodically highlight temples we have visited in this land which is steeped in history and legend. Other posts will deal with history, architecture, art and mythology that will help interpret these places, empower the reader and enhance their experience. The goal is to encourage the reader to go visit these places which we feel are hidden treasures of the collective global heritage and culture.
Our posts about specific temples or places will introduce the reader to the temple or site with some information and photos to stimulate their interest. They are not meant to be comprehensive. When appropriate we will point you to more detailed sources.
Other posts about related subjects will set the background to interpret these places in a meaningful way. Knowing about the culture, history and other background information will enrich the experience.
Some other posts will offer travel tips such as itineraries and accommodation. We will suggest itineraries or help the reader come up with their own itineraries based on interests and time limitations. We will offer tips to make the trip comfortable and doable as some of the places might be remote. Our style of travel is based on comfort and safety. We usually prefer to pay extra for this.
Tamil Nadu has several thousand temples dating back to a couple of millennia. Some of the existing architecture is about 1500 years old. No one in their lifetime can see them all. The more famous or well known temples are easy to find. But it is rewarding to search for and visit the lesser known temples which are quite unique.
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Below is an alphabetical index of the temples we have visited and the related blogs, as well as a chronological index of all blog posts linked to the posts, for readers to rapidly navigate to a particular temple. Periodically we will cover a general topic related to the temples such as architecture, art, history etc. These articles can be found in the page titled Information. The page titled Guide will provide useful tips and guidance for those who are planning to visit these temples. On this page, we have also added a section that groups the temples we have visited according to the nearest town or region. We have also included a page titled Resources which introduces the reader to external websites and other related blogs.
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Interactive Map of All Temples Visited
Viewing on an iPhone? For full functionality, open the interactive map directly in Safari.
Index of Temple Blogs Alphabetical Order
Index of Posts - Chronological Order
1. Temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry - An Approach
2. Mangalanathaswamy Temple, Uthirakosamangai (Temple #1)
3. Adhi Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Thirupullani (Temple #2)
4. Ramanathaswamy Temple - Rameswaram (Temple #3)
5. Thirumeninathar or Bhoominathar Temple, Thiruchuli (Temple #4)
6. Vaikunthanathar or Kallapiran Temple, Srivaikuntham (Temple #5)
7. Kailasanathar Temple Srivaikuntham (Temple #6)
8. Thiruchendur Murugan Temple (Temple #7)
9. Thanumalayan Temple, Suchindram (Temple #8)
10. Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil (Temple #9)
11. Chitharal Jain Temple (Temple #10)
12. Nellaiappar Temple, Thirunelvely (Temple #11)
13. Bhakthavathsala Perumal Temple - Cheranmahadevi (Temple #12)
14. Temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry : Architecture - An Overview
15. Ammainathar Temple - Cheranmahadevi (Temple #13)
16. Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple - Ambasamudram (Temple #14)
17. Papanasanathar Temple - Papanasam (Temple #15)
18. Valisvarar Temple - Thiruvaleesvaram, Thirunelveli (Temple #16)
19. Kasi Visvanathar Temple - Thenkasi (Temple #17)
20. Kutralanathar Temple Thirukutralam (Temple #18)
21. Kalugumalai - Monolithic Temple and Jain Monument (Temple #19)
22. Srivilliputhur Aandaal Temple (Temple #20)
23. Thirupushpavanesvarar Temple Thirupuvana (Temple #21)
24. Bhagavathy Amman Temple Kanyakumari (Temple #22)
25. Thiruparankundram Temple Madurai (Temple #23)
26. Koodalalagar or Koodal Azhagar Temple Madurai (Temple #24)
27. Temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry: A Brief History
28. Thiruvappanur or Aappudayar Temple Madurai (Temple #25)
29. Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple Madurai (Temple #26)
30. Edaganathar Temple -Thiruvedagam (Temple #27)
31. Kallazhagar or Kallalagar Temple, Alagar Koil (Temple #28)
32. Pazhamuthircholai or Palamuthircholai Murugan Temple (Temple #29)
33. Brihadishvarar or Peruvudayar Temple or Big Temple, Thanjavur (Temple #30)
34. Brihadishvarar Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Temple #31)
35. Airavatesvarar Temple Darasuram (Temple #32)
36. Adhi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam (Temple #33)
37. Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval (Temple #34)
38. Natarajar Temple, Chidambaram (Temple #35)
39. Annamalaiyar Temple, Thiruvannamalai (Temple #36)
40. Salient Features - Iconography, Iconology and Architecture
41. Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram (Temple #37)
42. Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram (Temple #38)
43. Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram (Temple #39)
44. Athiranachanda Cave Temple, Saluvankuppam (Temple #40)
45. Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram (Temple #41)
46. Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar Temple, Kanchipuram (Temple #42)
47. Thirukalukundram Temple, Chengalpattu (Temple #43)
48. Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai (Temple #44)
49. Thiruvalleeswarar Temple, Thiruvalidhayam, Padi, Chennai (Temple #45)
50. Adhipureeswarar or Thyagarajaswamy Temple, Thiruvottriyur (Temple #46)
51. Dharmeswarar Temple, Manimangalam (Temple #47)
52. Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Maadambakkam, Chennai (Temple #48)
53. An Introduction to Sacred Idols
54. Gnanapureeswarar or Idaichuranathar Temple, Thiruvadisoolam (Temple #49)
55. Munkudumeeswarar Temple, Ponvilainthakalathur (Temple #50)
56. Vaseeswarar or Vacheeswarar Temple, Thirupaasur or Thirupachur (Temple #51)
57. Agastheewarar Temple, Pozhichalur, Chennai (Temple #52)
58. Subramanya Swami Temple, Thiruthani (Temple #53)
59. Jalanatheeswarar Temple, Thakkolam (Temple #54)
60. Vadaranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalankadu (Temple #55)
61. Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvothur, Cheyyar (Temple #56)
62. Vedapureeswarar Temple, Pondicherry (Temple #57)
63. Thaalagireeshwarar Temple, Panamalai (Temple #58)
64. Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Pondicherry (Temple #59)
65. Veerattaneswarar Temple, Thiruvathigai (Temple #60)
67. Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Pondicherry (Temple #61)
68. Panangaateeswarar Temple, Panayapuram (Temple #62)
69. Chandramouleeswarar Temple or Vakrakaliamman Temple, Thiruvakkarai (Temple #63)
70. Arasaleeswarar Temple, Thiru Arasili, Ozhinthiapattu (Temple #64)
71. Mahakaleshwarar Temple, Irumbai Maakaalam (Temple #65)
72. Ulagalantha Perumal Temple or Trivikrama Perumal Temple, Thirukoilur (Temple #66)
73. Veeratteswarar Temple, Thirukkovilur or Thirukoilur (Temple #67)
74. Kripapureeswarar or Arutkondanathar Temple, Thiruvennainallur (Temple #68)
75. Vamanapureeswarar Temple, Thirumanikuzhi (Temple #69)
76. Pasupatheeswarar Temple and Thirunavukkarasar Madam, Thiruvamur or Thiruvamoor (Temple #70)
77. Agastheeswarar Temple, Kiliyanur (Temple #71)
78. Padaleswarar Temple, Thirupathiripuliyur (Temple #72)
79. Protection, Preservation, Renovation and Reconstruction
80. Mulanathaswamy Temple, Bahour, Pondicherry (Temple #73)
81. Thodatri Perumal Temple or Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Thirubhuvanai (Temple #74)
82. Panchanatheeswarar or Vadugurnathar Temple, Thiruvandarkoil (Temple #75)
83. Thirukundankudi Mahadeva Temple, Madagadipattu (Temple #76)
84. Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai (Temple #77)
85. Saluvankuppam Murugan Temple (Temple #78)
86. Sivanandeeswarar Temple, Thirukandalam (Temple #79)
87. Maasilamaniswarar Temple, Thirumullaivayil, Thiruvallur (Temple #80)
88. Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu (Temple #81)
89. Parthasarathy Perumal Temple, Triplicane, Chennai (temple #82)
90. Devi Karumariamman Temple, Thiruverkadu (Temple #83)
91. Kachabeswarar Temple, Thirukachur (Temple #84)
92. Ownership, Control and Administration
93. Marundeeswarar Temple, Thirukachur (Temple #85)
95. Pancha Bhootha Sthalangal (Temple Group #1)
96. Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal (Temple Group #2)
97. The Great Living Chola Temples (Temple Group #3)
98. The Aaru Padai Veedugal - The Six Abodes of Lord Murugan (Temple Group #4)
99. Muktheeswarar Temple, Theppakulam, Madurai (Temple #86)
100. Soundararajaperumal Temple, Thadikombu, Dindigul (Temple #87)
101. Kalamegaperumal Temple, Thirumohur (Temple #88)
102. Thirumarainathar Temple, Thiruvathavur (Temple #89)
103. Manickavasagar Birth Place Temple, Thiruvathavur (Temple #90)
104. Thiruthalinathar Temple, Thirupathur (Temple #91)
105. Karpaka Vinayakar Temple, Pillayarpatti (Temple #92)
106. Shanmuganathar Temple, Kundrakudi (Temple #93)
107. Thenatrunathar Sivan Temple, Kundrakudi (Temple #94)
108. Kodunkundranathar Temple, Thirukodunkundram (Temple #95)
109. Sowmyanarayana Perumal Temple, Thirukoshtiyur (Temple #96)
110. Worship, Etiquette and Appreciation
111. Adhi Ratneswarar Temple, Thiruvadanai (Temple #97)
112. Pazhampathinathar Temple, Thiruppunavasal (Temple #98)
113. Sornakaaleeswarar Temple, Kalayarkoil (Temple #99)
114. Athmanathaswamy Temple, Avudaiyar Koil or Thiruperunthurai (Temple #100)
115. Sathyagirisvarar Temple, Thirumayam (Temple #101)
116. Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple, Thirumayam (Temple #102)
117. The Hill of Truth - The Thirumayam Fort Complex
118. Paadal Petra Sthalangal of Pandiya Nadu (Temple Group #5)
119. Sivasuriyaperuman Temple, Suriyanar Koil (Temple #103)
120. Agniswarar Temple, Kanjanur (Temple #104)
121. Naganathaswamy Temple, Thirunageswaram (Temple #105)
122. Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur (Temple #106)
123. Vaidyanathaswamy Temple, Vaitheeswaran Koil (Temple #107)
124. Naganathaswamy Temple, Keelaperumpallam or Keezhaperumpallam (Temple #108)
125. The Temple Hopper's Guide - The Basics of Building Itineraries
126. Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu (Temple #109)
127. Sattanathar or Thoniappar Temple, Sirkazhi (Temple #110)
128. Dharbaranyeswarar or Saneeswarar Temple, Thirunallar (Temple #111)
129. Mehanadhar Temple or Lalithambigai Temple, Thirumeeyachur (Temple #112)
130. Umamaheswarar Temple, Konerirajapuram or Thirunallam (Temple #113)
131. Kailasanathar or Chandiranaar Temple, Thingalur (Temple #114)
132. Apathsahayeswarar Temple, Alangudi (Temple #115)
133. The Navagraham Temples of the Kaveri Delta (Temple Group #6)
134. Kampaheswarar or Sarabeswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam (Temple #116)
135. Karkadeswarar Temple, Thirunthudevankudi (Temple #117)
136. Veetrirundha Perumal Temple, Veppathur (temple #118)
137. Irudhayaleeswarar Temple, Thiruninravur (Temple #119)
138. Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur (Temple #120)
139. Temple Festivals
140. Kalikambal Temple Chennai (Temple #121)
141. Karaneeswarar Temple, Saidapet, Chennai (Temple #122)
​142. ASI Protected Temples
143. The ASI Temples of Pondicherry (Temple Group #7)
144. The Paadal Petra Sthalams
145. The Paadal Petra Sthalangal of Chennai (Temple Group #8)
146. Divya Desam Temples
147. The Pallava Legacy
148. The Imprint of the Cholas
149. Thayumanaswami Temple, Rockfort, Thiruchirapalli (Temple #123)
150. Uchipillayar Temple, Rockfort, Thiruchirapalli (Temple #124)
151. The Cave Temples of the Rockfort, Thiruchirapalli (Temple #125)
152. Panchavarnaswamy Temple, Uraiyur, Thiruchirapalli (Temple #126)
153. Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam (Temple #127)
154. Nedungalanathar Temple, Thirunedungulam (Temple #128)
155. Erumbeeswarar Temple, Thiruverumbur (Temple #129)
156. Uyyakondan Thirumalai Temple (Temple #130)
157. Sundareswarar Temple, Thirukkattalai (Temple #131)
158. Vijayalaya Choleeswaram, Narthamalai (Temple #132)