Tamil Nadu has countless temples for Lord Shiva, and many of them feature among the greatest Shiva temples in India. The Brihadeeshwara Temple in Tamil Nadu is a very ancient temple that is renowned for its architecture. The other famous temples of Shiva in Tamil Nadu are part of Paadal Petra Sthalangal, Pancha Bootha Sthalangal, and Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal. Let us explore 15 Shiva temples in Tamilnadu that should be visited at least once in your lifetime.
1.Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
This temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Shiva and also the 274 Paadal Petra Sthalams. The temple is located on the island of Rameswaram island, and has the longest corridor among all the Hindu temples in India. Its site is part of the Char Dham Yatra.
2.Brihadeeshwara Temple, Thanjavur
Brihadeeshwara Temple is also known as Big Temple. It is a World Heritage site and part of the Great Living Chola Temples. Its temple tower or gopuram is one of the tallest in India. One can also find one of the tallest statues of Shiva’s vehicle, the bull, Nandi, here.
3.Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Meenakshi Amman Temple is on the southern bank of Vaigai river in Madurai. It is dedicated to Parvati and Shiva,. It is very popular and has one of the largest temple complexes in India.
4.Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Thillai Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. It is one of the five holiest Shiva temples and also one of the three most important Shiva abodes in the world.
5.Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
Ekambareswarar Temple represents the Earth or Prithvi element among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas, and is located in Kanchipuram town. The temple has four of the tallest gateway gopurams and the temple complex is also one of the largest in the country.
6.Arunachaleshwarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai
This temple has a huge complex with four of the tallest gateway towers in India, and is located at the base of Annamalai hills. The temple complex occupies 10 hectares of land and it is the largest temple in South India that is dedicated to Shiva.
7.Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval
Jambukeswarar Temple is the most well-known Shiva temple in the city of Trichy as well as one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu. The temple is located in the island of Srirangam, which is also the place where the famous Ranganathaswamy temple, one of the most famous Vaishnava temples in South India is also situated.
8.Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
The Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram is listed as a World Heritage site and one of the most famous structural temples in South India. The Shore Temple forms part of a Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.
9.Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is a historically important temple, and also one of the oldest structures in the town of Kanchipuram. The temple has 58 shrines for the various forms of Shiva and it is a popular tourist attraction.
10.Ramalingaswami Temple
This temple has 108 Shiva Lingas as well as shrines to Nandi, Kamadhenu and Murugan. It is in Papanasam near Kumbakonam. Papanasam means destruction of sins. It has three prominent temples built by the Cholas.
11.Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore
Kapaleeshwarar Temple is in Mylapore, Chennai. The temple complex has many shrines. It sports Dravidian-style architecture and is one of the more ancient temples in Chennai.
12.Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is located near the Brihadeeswarar Temple and has an important place in the history of South India. The temple is famous for its architecture and its big Nandi statue.
13.Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam
This temple is represented by the Shiva Lingam and is one of the temples in Kumbakonam, associated with the Mahamaham festival. There are numerous shrines in the temple complex and the gateway towers or gopurams are really big.
14.Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvarur
It has the largest chariot in Tamil Nadu and the temple complex is one of the largest in India. Lord Shiva here is worshipped as Moolanathar. The annual chariot festival in this temple is one of the largest in India.
15.Amritaghateswarar Abhirami Temple, Thirukkataiyur
This famous temple is dedicated to Shiva in his Kalantaka form. There are three temple tanks, here. The mandapas are very spacious. It also has tall temple towers and five courtyards.
