The state of Tamil Nadu is located in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula. It is the sixth-most populous state of India and is ranked second in total employment (9.97 percent) in India. This state has hill stations, beach resorts, museums and eight world heritage sites. They have not only beautified this state but have also made Tamil Nadu one of the famous tourist destinations in India. Temples of Tamil Nadu are no exception in this regard. They have also added value to the tourism of this state. These temples will familiarize its visitors with the architectural splendor and heritage of Tamil Nadu.
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Meenakshi Amman Temple is located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai. It is dedicated to Meenakshi (the other name of goddess Parvati) and her consort Sundareswarar (the other name of Lord Shiva). This temple is a fine representation of Tamizhan style of architecture. Meenakshi Amman Temple serves as a home to about 33,000 sculptures. This temple is on the list of top 30 nominees for the "New Seven Wonders Of The World".
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Ramanathaswamy Temple is situated on Rameswaram Island. The ruling deity of this temple is Ramanathaswamy (the other name of Lord Shiva), who is represented in the form of lingam. The Pandya and Jaffna kings are credited with the establishment of this temple. This temple is a fine representation of Dravidian style of architecture. Ramanathaswamy Temple is known to have the longest corridor among all the Hindu temples in India.
Thyagaraja Temple
Thyagaraja Temple is located in Tiruvottiyur. It is also known by the other name of Vadivudai Amman Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple serves as a home to a number of inscriptions belonging to the Pallava period. One such inscription is as old as 1046 CE and testifies to the installation of about 64 bronze Nayanmar (Shaivaite Devotees) statues in the temple.
Ucchi Pillayar Temple
Ucchi Pillayar Temple is located in Tiruchi. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Ucchi Pillayar Temple is a fine representation of Dravidian style of architecture. It was established in the 7th century AD.
Adi Vinayagar Temple
Adi Vinayagar Temple is located in Poonthottam (Thiruvarur). Adi Vinayagar is the name of the deity worshipped in this temple. This temple was built around 178CE.
Thiruchendur Murugan Temple
Thiruchendur Murugan Temple adorns a place called Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi District. The primary deity of this temple is Arulmigu Senthilanathar (Murugan). Dravidian style of architecture has been used to create this temple. People named Mouna (Mauna) Swamigal, Desika Murti Swami and Kasi Swami are credited with the establishment of this temple. Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are Aavani festival, Maasi festival and Soorasamharam.
Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
Pachaimalai Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Temple is located on top of a small hillock in the outskirts of the town called Gobichettipalayam. Devotees visit this temple to worship Subramanya Swamy or Balamurugan, the child form of Lord Murugan. Dravidian style of architecture has been used to create this temple. Some of the festivals celebrated in this temple are Navaratri, Thai Poosam and Panguni Uthiram. This temple is also popular as Pachaimalai Balamurugan Temple, Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple and Sri Balamurugan Temple.
Uppiliappan Temple
The district of Thanjavur has a temple called Uppiliappan Temple. Devotees visit this temple to worship Lord Vishnu as Uppiliappan and his consort Lakshmi as Bhumi Devi. This temple serves as a home to two inscriptions belonging to the Chola period. Rama Navami is the festival celebrated in this temple. The Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu act as the managing body of Uppiliappan Temple.
Sri Rama Bhaktha Anjaneyar Temple
Sri Rama Bhaktha Anjaneyar Temple bedecks a district called Cuddalore. The ruling deity of this temple is Lord Hanuman. The main idol of Lord Hanuman has a height of about 37 feet. This idol was installed in the year 2015. Hanumath Jayanthi, Gokulashtami and Sri Rama Navami are the important festivals celebrated in this temple.
Bannari Amman Temple
Bannari Amman temple is situated in Bannari on NH (National Highway) 209, near Sathyamangalam in Erode district. It is considered to be one of the most famous Amman temples in Tamil Nadu.
Ayyanarappan Temples
Some of the Ayyanarappan Temples of Tamil Nadu are Arulmigu Ettimarathumuniappan Temple, Ayyanarappan Temple and Sri Ayyanarappan Temple.
Cave Temples of Pandiyas
Some of the Cave Temples of Pandiyas in Tamil Nadu are Kandan Kudaivarai - Muruga Temple and
Seevaramudaiyar Kudaivarai - Shiva Temple.
Structural Temples of Pallavas in Tamil Nadu
Kailasanatha Temple, Venkataramana Swamy Temple and Lakshmi Narashimma Swamy Temple are names of some of the structural temples belonging to the Pallava period in Tamil Nadu.
Structural Temples of Vijayanagara
Kanagagiswarar Temple, Sri Periyanayagi Amman Temple and Sri Neelakanta Pillaiyar Temple are structural temples of Vijayanagara in Tamil Nadu.