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Kanchipuram - Best Religious Places In Tamil Nadu

5 Best Religious Places In Tamil Nadu (2024)

It won’t be wrong to say that the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu has been shaped out of its people’s love for celestial deities. This has made Tamil Nadu one of the most important religious tourism places in India. You will be surprised to know that the state of Tamil Nadu is home to over 33,000 ancient temples, all sculptured beautifully in the Dravidian style of architecture. In fact, Tamil Nadu is popularly known as the Land of Temples, and the state has served as one of the biggest sources of spiritual rejuvenation for pilgrims and visitors from all over the world.

The state is known for spreading spiritualism through the many serene and breathtaking Hindu temples such as the Annamalaiyar Temple, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the Jambukeshwarar Temple, and many more. A pilgrimage or religious tour to Tamil Nadu will leave you amazed as you learn about the stories behind these holy sites and witness the worshipping of the deities.

5 Best Religious Places In Tamil Nadu

Here are the best religious places in Tamil Nadu that you must visit.

1. Madurai

The ‘Lotus City’ of Tamil Nadu, Madurai, is one of the most important religious places in the state. Madurai is one of the oldest cities in India that has witnessed continuous inhabitation. The city was ruled by Pandya kings for the longest time in history. It is called as the Lotus City because it was planned and constructed in the shape of a lotus.

Madurai is known for the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple, which is a great pilgrimage place in India. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi, and there is a separate sanctum dedicated to her consort, Lord Sundareshwarar.

Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple In Tamil Nadu

Photo By BOMBMAN  Image Source

Apart from this, there are many other ancient temples in Madurai, such as Thiruparankundram. This is one of the most important ancient temples dedicated to Lord Karthikeya or Lord Muruga. Located on top of a hill, just 8 km from the main city, this temple is another pilgrimage spot in Tamil Nadu.

The Azhagar Kovil Temple, also known as the Thirumaliruncholai Temple, is another famous temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The statue of Lord Vishnu situated in this temple is entirely made up of stone and is considered to be a masterpiece of artistic sculpturing. This temple is believed to have been constructed all the way back in the 13th century.

Madurai also holds great cultural significance and heritage as it was known to have trade ties with ancient Rome at one point in time. Madurai is also known for the heritage walks that are conducted throughout the city every day. It is best to have a travel guide with you to understand the importance of the town.

Other Places To Visit In Madurai Include:

  • Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal
  • Vaigai Dam
  • Alagar Koil
  • Maghamalai
  • Samanar Hills
  • Koodal Azhagar Temple
  • Mariamman Teppakulam

2. Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu holds a very important place in Hinduism. Known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples, Kanchipuram is a popular tourist and spiritual attraction for people who want to learn more about Hinduism. This city is also ideal for those who want to marvel at the grandeur of South Indian architecture. Kanchipuram is believed to be home to over a thousand temples. One of the most famous temples here is the Kanchi Kamakshi Temple.

The Kanchi Kamakshi Temple is a highly revered abode of Devi Kamakshi, who is a form of Goddess Parvati, the beloved consort of Lord Shiva.
The Kailasanathar Temple is another famous temple here, and you will be stunned to see its magnificent architecture. Perhaps the biggest, highest, and most impressive temple in all of Kanchipuram is the Ekambeshwarar Temple, which hails back to the Pallava period. It spans over 40 acres.

Kanchipuram - Best Religious Places In Tamil Nadu

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Kanchipuram is also known as Kanchi or Kancheepuram, and it is the true temple city of Tamil Nadu. One of the reasons why Kanchipuram is held in such high importance in Hinduism is because it is one of the seven Tirtha or pilgrimage sites for spiritual release. Out of the 108 holy temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu in India, 15 are located here in Kanchipuram.

Kanchipuram is also well known for its hand-woven silk sarees, often referred to as ‘Kanchipuram sarees.’

Some of the other temples to visit in Kanchipuram are:

  • Varadharaja Perumal Temple
  • Devarajaswami Temple
  • Kailasanathar Temple
  • Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
  • Kanchi Kudhil
  • Vaikunda Perumal Temple
  • Thennangur Panduranga Temple
  • Kachapeshwarar Temple
  • Jain Temple
  • Ulagalantha Perumal Temple
  • Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple

3. Rameshwaram

Popularly known as the Bridge on the Indian Ocean, Rameshwaram is one of the holiest places in India. Located on a beautiful island in Tamil Nadu, Rameshwaram is separated from Sri Lanka by a small Pamban channel. As per Hindu mythology, Rameshwaram is the place where Lord Rama built the bridge to cross the sea to reach Sri Lanka.

Rameshwaram, Rameshwaram Temple In Tamil Nadu

Rameshwaram is a famous religious tourist place because one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva is located here. The Rameshwaram Temple is one of the top pilgrimage places in India. The Ramanathaswamy Temple is renowned for the magnificent prakaras that have massive sculptured pillars on both sides. The Ramanathaswamy Temple is known for having the longest corridor in the world. Another religious place, Agniteertham, is renowned for its holy waters, and pilgrims come from all over India to pay their respect to their ancestors at the seashore of Rameshwaram. There is also the Five-Faced hanuman Temple here that holds the floating stone that was used to construct the bridge between India and Sri Lanka by Lord Ram.

This beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, Rameshwaram, attracts pilgrims and tourists all through the year not just for its religious importance but also to take in its natural beauty.

Apart from the Rameshwaram Temple, here are the other places of religious importance you must visit when in Rameshwaram:

  • Dhanushkodi Temple and Beach
  • Jatayu Tirtham
  • Agniteertham
  • Lakshmana Tirtham
  • Villoondi Tirtham
  • Five-Faced Hanuman Temple
  • Gandhamadhana Parvatham
  • Kothandaramaswamy Temple
  • Jada Tirtham
  • Nambu Nayagiamman Temple

4. Thanjavur

Thanjavur or Tanjore is often referred to as the city of temples in Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is steeped in culture and known for the famous Tanjore paintings, handicrafts and antiques, saris and textiles, Carnatic music, and, of course, the many temples. Thanjavur holds an important place in the molding of the modern South Indian civilization and is a town known for its rich historical heritage. Thanjavur attracts pilgrims from all over India because of its religious importance.

Thanjavur, Brihadeeswara Temple In Tamil NaduImage Source

There are many religious places in and around Thanjavur, and it is believed there are 98 temples in the city. Some of these include:

  • Brihadeeswara Temple
  • Adi Kumbeswarar Temple
  • Uppiliappan Temple
  • Airavatesvara Temple
  • Sarangapani Temple
  • Arulmigu Swaminatha Swami Temple
  • Patteeswaram Temple
  • Garbarakshambigai Temple
  • Shani Temple Thirunallar
  • Swami Malai Temple
  • Nageshwara Temple
  • Kampaheswarar Temple

When you visit Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, you can truly witness the past and present coming together to showcase the intricacies of these ancient architectural masterpieces.

5. Tiruchi or Trichy

Such is the religious importance of Trichy or Tiruchi, that it is today known as the Metro City devoted to the Gods. A trip to this mid-sized fast emerging city in the state of Tamil Nadu will prove to be a refreshing change from visiting cities that are entirely religious or other cities that are merely concrete jungles. Tiruchi is one of those beautiful places where nature and religion come together to form a beautiful bond.

Tiruchi is also known as Tiruchirappalli, and one of the most famous temples here is the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, who is Lord Vishnu’s reclining avatar. This is a monumental Hindu pilgrimage site that has been constructed in authentic Dravidian architecture. The temple is one of the most significant shrines devoted to Lord Vishnu in India.

Tiruchi or Trichy, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple In Tamil NaduImage Source

The Jambukeswarar Temple is another must-visit temple when you are in Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu. The intensely colored sculptures of this temple are awe-inspiring. This important Hindu pilgrimage site is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is of historical importance as the temple is believed to be 1800 years old. The long corridor of the temple has 796 ornately carved pillars.

The other important temples in Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu include:

  • Rock Fort Temple
  • Ucchi Pillaiyar Temple
  • Vekkaliamman Temple
  • Brahmapureeswarar Temple
  • Vayalur Murugan Temple
  • Gunaseelam Vishnu Temple

Trichy is the ideal tourist destination for those who want to explore a religious, cultural, and historical place. This is a perfect place for architecture lovers as you can find some of the best specimens of architectural wonders.

It is not without reason that Tamil Nadu is known as the Land of Temples in India. It is blessed with over 33,000 temples. Some of the temples are the most revered and grandest temples in all India. These temples serve as a source of reverence for believers from all over the world and are also the perfect showcase of the beautiful and majestic sculpturing of ancient India. A religious trip of Tamil Nadu will provide you with great insight into the brilliant history, culture, and the opulent lavish tastes of dynasties such as the Pallavas, Cholas, or Nayakas.

Come and feel these religious towns reverberating with a divine energy that draws millions of pilgrims to Tamil Nadu throughout the year.

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