CHENNAI TEMPLES

Kalakshetra
In Thiruvanmiyur, beyond Elliot's beach, is Kalakshetra or 'Temple of Art'. It was founded in 1936 by danseuse Rukmini Devi Arundale to revive interest in Bharatanatyam which is the classical dance form of the state of Tamil Nadu. Run on the ancient gurukulam system, this institution is devoted to classical dance, music and traditional textile designs and weaving. The Kalakshetra Foundation comprises the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, the Besant Arundale Senior Secondary School, the Besant Theosophical High School, the Craft Education and Research Centre, the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium and the Dr U. V. Swaminatha Iyer Library. The Craft Education and Research Center of Kalakshetra is famous for reviving traditional South Indian saree patterns and colors in silk and cotton. It has an extraordinary theater, where in the month of December Kalakshetra holds its annual ballet festival. Throughout the year Kalakshetra conducts music recital and dance performances in different parts of Chennai.

Kapaleeswarar Temple
Chennai has many temples and each one of them is worth a visit. One of the largest and oldest temples in Chennai, the Kapaleeswarar temple has inscriptions from the 13th century A.D. and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The architectural style of the temple is one of the best examples of Dravidian architecture. The walls and pillars of the temple are very delicately and intricately carved and depict scenes from Hindu mythology.

Sri Parthasarathy Temple
This 8th century temple was built by the Pallavas and is dedicated to Lord Krishna and houses images of the five avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu. It also has a small shrine dedicated to Vishnu's consort Vedavalli Ammai. The temple was renovated in the 16th century by the Vijayanagar kings.

Temples around Chennai

Temples in KanchiPuram
Kailasanathar Temple
It is similar to the ancient Dravidian Style; the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kailasanathar Temple was built by king Rajasimha in 7th century; there are 58 small shrines around the main shrine formed in the honour of Shiva, Parvati, Murugan and Ganesh.

Deverajaswamy Temple
The temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, was built by Vijaynagara Kings. The temple structure has a pillared hall and a marriage hall. A 10 m statue of Lord Vishnu is immersed in the large tank located inside the temple. Once in 40 years the tank is drained to view the statue. Last time it was viewed in 1979.

Ekambaranathar Temple
This is the largest temple in Kanchipuram, it covers approximately 12 hectare. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Later, the temple was renovated by Cholas and Vijayanagra Kings. There is a mango tree within the temple compound, which is believed to be 3500 years old, the four branches represents the four Vedas. The tree still bears fruits.

Temples in Mahabalipuram

Shore Temple
Shore Temple was built in the 7th century AD. The temple has two shrines, one dedicated to Vishnu in the reclining form and the other to Shiva.

Five Rathas (Chariots)
These are five temples named after five pandavas. Each temple looks like a chariot yet each one of them is completely different from others. Their structure shows some similarity to the ancient Dravidian temples.

Arjuna's Penance
It is a huge rock sculpture of Arjuna known as Arjuna's penance. Arjun's Penace is the largest bas-relief in the world. It depicts the penance of Arjuna to obtain the legendary arrow Pasupathastra from Lord Shiva. The legend has been carved on the rock measuring 80 x 30 feet.

Mahishasuramardhini
This a famous creation of Pallava sculptures. The cave has two magnificent sculptures. Goddess Durga on her lion mount vanquishing Mahishasura, the buffalo headed demon.

Manadapams
There are eight Manadapams in Mahabalipuram. The most well known Manadapams are Mahishasura and Krishna. There are eight Mandapams situated in Mamallapuram within a radius of one kilometer. The most famous are those of Mahishasura and Krishna. Salivan Kuppam, a cave temple complex is four km north from here.

Vellamalai
This temple is situated in vellore & vellore is at a distance of 135 km from Chennai. Named after Valli, second wife of Lord Murugan, the temple is situated on the hilltop is carved out of a massive rock. The temple is dedicated to Murugan.

Ramanashramam
This small ashram of Sri Ramana Maharishi draws devotees of the Guru who died in 1950 after fifty years of contemplation. It is also situated in vellore.

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple
Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is located in Chidambaram at the distance of 44 km from Chennai. It was a Chola capital from 907 AD- 1310 AD. and the Nataraja temple was erected during the later time of the administration. The main deity in the temple is Shiva in his aspect of the cosmic dancer. The gopurams in the temple complex depicts 108 dance forms of Lord Shiva. The temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture. A temple car festival is organised every year in April-May & Dec. - Jan. Every year in February Natyanjali dance festival is also organised and the prominent dancers from different parts of the country participates in the festival.

Thirukkalukundram
The Shiva temple here is located on top of a hill, 160m high. Try and make it to this place around lunch time. Every afternoon, two white kites come to the temple and are fed by the priest. It is believed that these kites are saints who stop at the temple on their journey to Varanasi from Rameshwaram. Below the hill temple is the larger Shiva temple with a tank which is said to have healing powers. Every 12 years, a conch is found in the tank. A large collection of such conches is kept in the temple. Thirukkalukundram is 70 kms from.