12 Must Visit Lord Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has innumerable temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, majority of temples are amongst the greatest Shiva temples of the continent. Brihadeshwara Temple of Tamil Nadu is one of the most ancient temple in India and known for its arcitecture, other famous temple of Lord Shiva in Tamil Nadu are part of Pancha Bootha Sthalangal,Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal and Paadal Petra Sthalangal.
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva and also the 274 Paadal Petra Sthalams temples, located on Rameswaram island. The temple of Ramanathaswamy Temple has longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India and the site is part of holy Char Dham Yatra.
Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur
Brihadeshwara Temple also known as big temple of India is a world heritage site and part of Great Living Chola Temples in India. The temple has one of the tallest temple tower in the country and also the one of the tallest statue of Nandi bull.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Meenakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to Parvati and her consort Lord Shiva, on the southern bank of Vaigai river in Madurai. The temple is one of the most visited tourist attraction in Tamil Nadu and has one of the largest temple complexes in India.
Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Thillai Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram is dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and known as foremost of all temples. The temple is one of the five holiest Shiva temples and one of the three foremost Shiva abodes in the world.
Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
Ekambareswarar Temple of Lord Shiva is represented Prithvi lingam element of Pancha Bhoota Stalas, located in the town of Kanchipuram. The temple houses four tallest gateway gopurams and the complex is one of the largest in India.
Arunachaleshwarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai
Arunachaleshwarar Temple has huge complex with four tallest gateway towers in India, located at the base of Annamalai hills. The temple complex covers 10 hectares of land and the largest temple in South India dedicated to the deity Shiva.
Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval
Jambukeswarar Temple is the most famous Lord Shiva temple in Trichy city and one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu. The temple is located in the Srirangam island, where famous Ranganathaswamy temple, the most illustrious Vaishnava temples in South India also located.
Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram is classified as a world heritage site and best known structural temples in Southern India. The Shore Temple is part of Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram also part of the Seven Pagodas at Mahabalipuram.
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is known for its historical importance and one of the oldest structure in Kanchipuram. The Kailasanathar temple contains 58 shrines of various forms of Lord Shiva and a prominent tourist attractions of the city.
Ramalingaswami Temple
Ramalingaswami temple of Lord Shiva has 108 shivalingas and shrines to Nandi, Kamadhenu and Murugan, located at Papanasam near Kumbakonam. Papanasam town name means Destruction of Sins and has three major temples constructed by the Cholas.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore
Kapaleeshwarar Temple is located in Mylapore near Chennai and the temple complex houses numerous shrines. The temple is an example of Dravidian architecture and one of the ancient temples of Chennai.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in near by great temple of Brihadeeswarar Temple and occupies an important place in the history of South India. The temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram is famous for architecture and big statue of Nandi.
Famous Temples Of Lord Shiva in Tamil Nadu
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, represented by the lingam and one of the temple in Kumbakonam, connected with Mahamaham festival. The temple has numerous shrines in the complex and houses big gateway towers known as gopurams.
Thyagaraja Temple of Thiruvarur has the largest chariot in Tamil Nadu and also one of the largest temple complex in India. Lord Shiva worshiped as Moolanathar and the temple host one of the largest annual chariot festival in India.
Amritaghateswarar Abhirami Temple is the most famous temple in Thirukkadaiyur dedicated to Lord Siva in his manifestation as Kalantaka. The temple has three temple tanks,spacious mandapas, tall temple towers and five courtyards.
Tamil Nadu has temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, throughout the length and breadth of the states, Most famous temples of Lord Shiva also includes:
-Paadal Petra Sthalangal
-Chennai Paadalpetra Sthalangal
-Ashta Veerattam Sthalangal
-Kancheepuram Paadalpetra Sthalangal
-Nava Kailasam Shiva Temples
Pancha Bootha Sthalangal
Pancha Bootha Sthalangal are five most famous Lord Shiva temples, dedicated to five great elements of nature of Prithivi,Agni,Vayu,Akasha and water.
-Ekambareswarar Temple
-Arunachaleshwarar Temple
-Jambukeswarar Temple
-Thillai Nataraja Temple
-Srikalahasti Temple (Andhra Pradesh)
Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal
Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal in Tamil Nadu are known as the temples of Lord Shiva where the God believed to have performed the Cosmic Dance.
-Vadaranyeswarar Temple
-Chidambaram Temple
-Sundareswarar Temple
-Nellaiappar Temple
-Kutralanathar Temple
Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal are ground of five temples, associated with Nataraja. All the Lord Nataraja temples are located in Tamil Nadu and belong to five out of seven dances of Lord Siva.
