The temples of Chennai bear impressions of some great dynasties, legends and architecture. Most of the temples we are talking about are those that have been built by the Chola rulers. These monumental temples have great legends associated with them and as such are revered by the pious Hindu followers. The churches on the other hand depict the story of Indian occupation by foreign power. The churches housed in the city also reflect the Gothic architecture and the European building style of 17th and 18th century. The importance of mosques is primarily associated with the Nawab family that was holding the power towards the end of the middle era of Indian history. The holy places contained in the city include Parthasarathy Temple, Kapaleeswarar Temple, ISKCON Temple, Vadapalani Temple, Kandaswamy Temple, Marundeeswarar Temple, Ashtalakshmi Temple, Big Mosque, Thousand Lights Mosque, Armenian Church, Santhome Cathedral, Luz Church, St.Andrew's Church, Christ the King Church, Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha, etc.


Vadapalani Temple

Vadapalani temple used to be a small thatched shed some 125 years ago. The temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga, who is the most revered deity in the state of Tamil Nadu. The small hut which was later on replaced by the existing structure was built by Annaswami Tambiran. Annaswami was a great devotee of Lord Muruga and it is he who built the hut and put an image of Lord Muruga in it. The person is said to have been put into trance while worshipping in the temple. Annaswami in his state of trance started uttering words that became popular as Arulvak. After the demise of the devotee some three more carried on the mission. The place became popular and offerings in great amount were secured by the head maintaining the temple. One great names among the contributors responsible for constructing the temple is of Kripananda Variyar.

The temple is provided with a large hall were marriage ceremonies are performed. The temple is one of the premier places for performing marriage and about 7000 marriages are performed here annualy. The festival ceremonies held in the complex include that of Skanda Sashti and Panguni Uttiram.

Vadapalani is one of the most frequently visited temples in the Chennai city. The temple is located near Andavar Koil Street in the Vadapalani area of city suburbs. Vadapalani temple is one renowned worshipping place in the state of Tamil Nadu.

The temple at Vadapalani is primarily dedicated to Lord Muruga. Some other deities, besides Lord Muruga, that are worshipped here include Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Ganesh and Lord Anjaneya. The temple is provided with a number of courtyards featuring many sannidhis. The temple entrance is covered with a rajagopuram which is adorned with images depicting the legends of Skanda Puranam. The temple is affronted with a large temple tank. On the eastern wall of the temple structure are bharata natyam gestures.

Kapaleeswarar Temple

The Kapaleeswar Temple is one of the most visited temples in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple, located in the region of Mylapore in Chennai suburbs, is a fine example of the Dravidian culture. The temple structure, as it exists, is about 300 years old. However, the deities have been regularly told of in the words of popular personalities.

Kapaleeswar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple houses the shrines of Kapaleeswar (Shiva) and Karpagambal (Parvati). The temple architecture reveals the Dravidian traits, with its carved gopuram measuring about 37 metres in height. The temple is also provided with elaborate mandapams and a storage tank. The inscriptions on the temple structure are some seven and a half centuries old. The structure was renovated by the Vijayanagar kings in the 16th century A.D. The facade of the structure lies towards the east and the entrance is marked with Puranic inscriptions. The temple flag mast has the shrine of Saint Gnanasambandar, who is believed to have resurrected a girl. This shrine is one of the reasons for the popularity of the temple. The Punnai tree in the courtyard reveals the tale that eventually gave the place (Mylapore) its name. This tree is the oldest of its kind in the city of Chennai.

Kapaleeswaram is provided with a Shiv Lingam, which is believed as having been installed by the Brahma, to do penance. The lingam is known Kapaleeswarar. A small shrine of Parvati in the form of peacock is contained within the courtyard. There is one more courtyard that houses the shrines of 63 saints.

The place witnesses a huge crowd during the Arupathu Moovar Vizha Festival. The temple is beautifully adorned with the streets complimenting the stated phenomenon. There are processions, sweet distribution ceremonies and classical dance performance in the nearby region. The ten days festival gives the temple and the area of Mylapore a new tint of excitement.

ISKCON Temple

Location
ISKCON Temple is located in the Injambakkam region of Chennai city. The temple structure lies in the Thyagaray Nagar and off the, Burkir Road.The temple is one of the many populsr worshipping places established by the ISKCON society in the region of India.

History
The ISKCON preaching in Chennai was started by H.H. Giriraj, a disciple of the founder of ISKCON. It was not un till 1983 that the ISKCON Chennai established a temple and ashram at Kilapuak Garden Road. The deities to this temple were donated by a patron and the worship started from late 1983. In the year 1988 ISKCON Headquarters moved to T Nagar.

The ISKCON Temple at Chennai like other ISKCON centres is the axis point from where the teachings of Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya are spread. The temple is the most frequently visited one in the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The deities worshipped in the temple include those of Rukmini and Krishna. The image of deity Satyabhama, one of the eight wives of Krishna, is also housed in the temple premises. Other deities worshipped in the temple include Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra and Gaura-Nitai. The ISKCON Temple of Chennai is built over a small area and has few provisions. But the rush of the pious devotees is quite the same as at other centres and temples.

Postal Address
ISKCON,
Hare Krishna Land,
Injambakkam,
Chennai-41.
Phone numbers: 5549 9502
3091 1472

Kandaswamy Temple

Kandaswamy Temple is located in the George Town suburbs of Chennai central. The temple lies in the vicinity of Chennai city center and is easily accessible. The Broadway bus stop is less than a kilometre away.
The temple is at a walking distance from the Broadway bus stop in Chennai central. In the George Town area take the Mint Street and reach to the Kandaswamy temple, as it is situated off the mentioned street.
Temple Features
According to historical records the Kandaswamy temple dates back to the 11th century A.D. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and bears some rich inscriptions of the era, that is 11th century. The temple architecture reveals the characteristic Chola style of temple building. The inscriptions on the temple structure provides some insights of the era that was dominated by the Chola kings. The shrines contained in the temple are those of Kadaswamy, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Kandaswamy temple is not the only one of its kind. Two ancient temples in Cheyur very much resemble the Kandaswamy temple. These temples, dedicated to Perumaal and Shiva Valmimakathar, dates back from the same period. The temple attracts a large audience during the celebration of Skandasashti and Parguni (annual festival).