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One of the most magnificent cities, Chennai has it all - lakes, beaches, shopping arcades, bustling streets, museums, skyscrapers, and historical statues. However, these are not the only characteristics that make Chennai unique. The city's charm is further enhanced by a few old temples. There are countless temples scattered across the city, some of which are extremely important and date back thousands of years. Let us check out 8 must-visit temples in Chennai for a grand spiritual experience. 

Must Visit Temples In Chennai 

1. Kapaleeswarar Temple - Located in Mylapore, Southern Chennai, Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a well-known Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It has historical significance as it dates to the Pallava Dynasty in the 7th century and is mentioned by Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemy as well as in the Puranas. During the Panguni Peruvizha festival in March and April, the temple receives a large number of people, as pujas are held six times a day. 

There are many magnificent temples located in Chennai. (Image Source: Canva)

2. Parthasarathy Temple - Parthasarathy Temple is an 8th-century temple situated near Triplicane on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his different forms, this temple is one of Chennai's oldest and was built by Narasimhavarman I of the Pallava Dynasty. The murals, sculptures, and inscriptions inside the temple attest to its historical significance.

3. Ashtalakshmi Temple - Dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi, the Ashtalakshmi Temple is located on Eliot's Beach in Besant Nagar. It has unique temples for each of her avatars. Being the only temple devoted to Mahalakshmi, it has undergone significant renovations and is now a well-liked destination for both residents and visitors. Six poojas are held every day, and a number of holidays, such as Navratri and Deepavali, are lavishly celebrated.

4. Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappan Temple - This fascinating temple in Chennai, dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, was constructed in 1974 to accommodate pilgrims travelling to Sabarimala during the Mandalam season. Today, it draws pilgrims and offers daily Annadanam to the underprivileged. The temple is a site of ongoing devotion since it holds a variety of rites all year long. 

5. Kamakshi Amman Temple - The goddess Kamakshi, who stands for life, love, and the natural world, is venerated at the Kamakshi Amman Temple, located in Chennai's Mangadu district. The temple hosts daily poojas and exhibits architecture from the Chola era. It is especially significant during the Tamil and Gregorian New Year.

6. Adeeswar Temple - The Jain Adeeswar Temple honours the first Tirthankara, Rishabhdev, and is situated on the outskirts of Chennai. Its historical inscriptions date back to the Pallava Dynasty. It is similar to the Sabarimala temple and has become more and more popular as a tourist destination in recent years.

7. Anjaneya Swami Temple - Lord Hanuman is worshipped in the Anjaneya Swamy temple in Nanganallur, Chennai. Built in 1989, it has shrines dedicated to various gods and a 32-foot figure of Hanuman carved out of a single rock. During occasions like Hanumanth Jayanti and Ram Navami, the temple is decked out, drawing large crowds for morning and evening poojas, particularly on weekends. 

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8. Nandeeswarar Temple - Lord Shiva is the centre of worship at the holy Hindu temple Nandeeswarar Temple in Chennai. The temple draws devotees looking for blessings and a peaceful place to pray because of its elaborate design and spiritual atmosphere. The Nandeeswarar Temple is a religious and cultural site that is located in the centre of the city.