About the Tamil Nadu Temples :

Tamil Nadu is home to more than 30,000 temples and is aptly called "the land of temples". The rulers of various dynasties constructed these temples over centuries. Tamilnadu is the land where Dravidian style of temple architecture manifested itself in a grand and magnificent way. Vimanas (storeys) and Gopurams (towering gateways to the temple complex) best characterize the temples of Tamilnadu. You will be amazed to see that most of these temples bear a superficial architectural resemblance with each other as they share the similar physical features- Gopurams (the imposing tower over the entrance, from all four directions) and the Vimana (the tower over the sanctum). It is interesting to note that the temples of South India were not merely a place of worship but a large part of social and cultural life of the people revolved around them.

Some Temples In Tamil Nadu :

Srivaikunthanthor Temple, Tirunelveli :

The Srivaikunthanathor Temple is 37 km away from Tirunelveli. It is also known as Kallapiranswami temple and was used as a fort during British period. It is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu and has majestic gopurams. This is an ancient temple known for its enchanting icons. The mandapas with pillars is embellished with sculptures of yallis, elephants and warriors. The Ekadasi Mandap contains elegant carvings and is open on Vaikuntha Ekadasi.

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam :

The Ranganathanswamy temple complex is about three km from the Rock Fort at Srirangam in Trichi. 7 concentric walls with 21 gopuras surround the temple. The temple was constructed by many dynasties including the Cheras, Pandyas, Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagar Empire and the date of its construction ranges from the 14th to 17th centuries AD.The largest gopuram of the temple is in the first wall on the southern side, which is the main entrance and was completed in 1987. It rises to a height of 73 m. the main temple is dedicated the Lord Vishnu although there are several other shrines dedicated to various gods and goddesses.

An annual Rath Yatra in a decorated wooden chariot is held in the month of January. The Vaikuntha Ekadasi or the Paradise festival is organized somewhere in the middle of December. The non-Hindus are allowed only till the sixth wall and not inside the gold- finished sanctum.

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram :

The Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram is 200 km from Chennai. Chidambaram is popular as the 'City of the Cosmic Dancer'. The Nataraja temple is an example of the Chola Architecture and covers an area of 40 acres. The temple is a dedicated to the Dancing Form of Shiva in the form of the Lord Nataraja. The temple is a tribute to the art of Bharatnatyam.

The Natyanjali festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated every year during the months of February-March. The festival continues for five days with in the temple premises. The dance festival begins on the auspicious day of the Maha Shivaratri.
 
Ramalinga Temple, Chidambaram :

The Ramalinga temple is in the center of Chidambaram spreads over an area of 40 acres. It is dedicated to the Lord Shiva in the form of Ramalinga or Ramananda. The significant feature worth watching in the temple is the thousand-pillar hall.

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai :

The original Meenakshi Temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shiva and his consort Parvati are known here as Sundareshwara and Meenakshi. The temple was converted into a magnificent structure by the nayaks, who ruled Madurai from the 16th to the 18th century AD.

According to local legends, Malayadwaja Pandya was the king of Madurai. He did not have any child for a long time so he performed a many yagnas or the sacrifices made before a sacred fire. On one of the sacrifices, a three-year-old girl came out of the fire and Malayadwaja adopted her. The girl had three breasts, which was the reason of worry for Malayadwaja. However, a divine voice gave assurance to him that the third breast would disappear as soon as she met her consort. The girl became a brave and beautiful princess and won many battles.

Kumari Amman Temple, KanyaKumari :

Kumari Amman Temple, KanyaKumari The Kumari Amman Temple overlooks the shores from KanyaKumari. The place KanyaKumari got its name from the Goddess KanyaKumari Amman who is the popular deity of this area.

According to the legends, the goddess Parvati did penance in this place to obtain lord Shiva as her husband. When she was not successful in her penance, she vowed to remain virgin. Thus the temple is dedicated to Parvati in the form of Devi Kanya, the virgin goddess. the idol of the goddess Parvati has a sparkling diamond on her nose, which is supposed to outshine the sea.

Kapaleshwarar temple, Mylapore :

The Kapaleshwarar temple is 8th century AD temple but has a contemporary structure. The construction of the temple is based on the descriptions in the Puranas and the Tevaram. The gopuram of the temple is made in typical Dravidian style of architecture. The temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva.

Vivekananda Memorial, KanyaKumari :

The Vivekananda Memorial at KanyaKumari is 500 m away from the main land. It stands on one of the two rocks separated from each other by 70 m. the Memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, one of the most charismatic spiritual leaders of this century, who is said to have meditated on this rock. The Rock memorial is a unique structure built in 1970 and has a meditation hall. The design of the mandapa is a blend of various architectural styles of India. the statue of Swami Vivekananda is also placed over here.
 
Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli :

The Nellaippar temple is at a distance of 1 km from Tirunelveli Junction. The temple is dedicated to Lord Nellaiappar. This temple has a shrine of Lord Shiva and Parvati spanning over an area of 14. Shiva is said to have been worshipped by Agastya in a bamboo grove and by Rama after having killed Mareecha some nine miles away at Manoor.

Nagaraja temple, Nagercoil :

The Nagaraja temple situated at Nagarcoil is dedicated to the Lord Nagaraja. Nagercoil got its name from the five headed serpent shrine of the Nagaraja. Besides the presiding deity, the idols of Lord Shiva and Anantha Krishna are also enshrined in the ardhamandapa of the temple. the figures of Jain Thirthankaras Parsavanth and Mahavira are carved on the pillars of the mandapa.

The entrance gateway of the temple, Mahamerumaligai, resembles the Chinese architecture of Budha Viharas. Thus the temple is an embodiment of the four religious creeds of India namely, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism and Buddhism.

Kailashnath Temple, Kanchipuram :

The Kailashnath temple situated at Putleri Street 1.5 km from Kanchipuram. is an ancient temple fine specimen of the Pallava architecture. The Pallava king Rajasimha started the temple in the 7th century AD and was completed by his son Mahendra. It is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram and the finest example of Pallava architecture in South India. The foundation of the temple is made of granite while the superstructure is carved out of sandstone.

Varadaraja temple, Kanchipuram :

The Varadaraja temple is situated 3 km to the south of Kanchipuram. The temple is also known as the Devarajaswamy Temple. Originally it was known as Attiyuran.

It is one of the important Vaishnavite shrines. The main deity is the Lord Vishnu in the form of the Lord Varadaraja Perumal. The idol of the deity is in the standing posture facing towards the east. The temple is known for its splendid art and had association with Sri Ramanuja who used to serve here. The100 pillar mandapa of the temple beautifully carved. The gopuram of the temple is 100 ft high and originally built in 11th century AD. The Vijyanagar Kings renovated it after 500 years.

Brihadeswara Temple, Thanjavur :

The Brihadeswara temple at Thanjavur is within a huge compound with walls rising above 15m. The temple is made over a 29 m square base and has a soaring vimana and a stunted gopuram. The inner sanctum and the gopuram were constructed over a period of 12 years. It was constructed from a single piece of granite weighing around 80 tonnes. The dome was hauled into place along a 4-km earthwork ramp in a manner similar to the Egyptian pyramids.

Thanumalayam Temple, Suchindram :

The Thanumalayan temple is situated at Suchindram in KanyaKumari. The temple is dedicated to the three Gods, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The deity of the temple is the representation of the combined forces of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.