temples of Tamil Nadu

                                                     temples of Tamil Nadu                                                                                                                                    

Meenakshi Amman Temple (Madurai)

• Deity: Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) and Lord Sundareshwarar (Shiva).
• Highlights: Famous for its 14 gopurams, the temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture.
• Special Feature: Thousand-pillar hall and the celestial wedding festival (Meenakshi Thirukalyanam).

Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur)

• Deity: Lord Shiva.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Part of the "Great Living Chola Temples."
• Special Feature: The Vimana (temple tower) is among the tallest in India, with a granite capstone weighing 80 tons.

Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rameswaram)

• Deity: Lord Shiva.
• Highlights: Known for its 1,200 intricately carved stone pillars and the longest corridor among Indian temples.
• Significance: One of the 12 Jyotirlingas and a major pilgrimage site in Hinduism.

Arulmigu Kapaleeshwarar Temple (Chennai)

• Deity: Lord Shiva and Goddess Karpagambal (Parvati).
• Highlights: A stunning example of Dravidian-style architecture located in Mylapore.
• Special Feature: The Panguni Peruvizha festival attracts thousands of devotees.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam, Trichy)

• Deity: Lord Vishnu (in reclining form).
• Highlights: Largest functioning temple complex in the world.
• Special Feature: Dedicated entirely to Vaishnavism, with 21 gopurams and sacred festivals like Vaikunta Ekadasi.

Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple

• Deity: Lord Shiva (as Arunachaleswarar).
• Highlights: Associated with the element of fire among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams (Five Elements Temples).
• Special Feature: Karthigai Deepam festival, where a massive lamp is lit atop the Arunachala Hill.

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple

• Deity: Lord Shiva (as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer).
• Significance: Represents the Akasha (sky) element in the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams.
• Highlights: Famous for its unique depiction of Lord Shiva performing the Ananda Tandava.

Kanchipuram Temples

• Famous Temples: Ekambareswarar Temple (Lord Shiva), Kamakshi Amman Temple (Goddess Parvati), and Varadaraja Perumal Temple (Lord Vishnu).
• Significance: Known as the "City of a Thousand Temples."

Murugan Temples

• Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple (Tiruchendur): Located along the seashore.
• Palani Murugan Temple: One of the six abodes (Aarup