No matter your religious affiliation and whether or not you class yourself as an architecture lover, it’s impossible not to marvel at the magnificent temples in South India. Some have towers that stretch for dozens of meters into the sky; others are covered with remarkably ornate carvings and paints derived from natural mineral pigments, such as red ochre and yellow orpiment; still, others comprise many different buildings, with temple complexes that occupy huge expanses of space.
With histories that stretch back hundreds of years—if not millennia—these Tamil Nadu-based landmarks should be on every visitor’s itinerary. We’ve selected five of the most famous temples in South India worth visiting. Be sure to bring your camera: you’ll want to capture memories of these sights while you have the chance.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Meenakshi Amman Temple is one of the best-known temples in South India—and a classic example of the Dravidian architectural style, which typically features a complex comprising soaring towers, stone-built structures, and pillared halls. Although its origins are believed to date back over two millennia, the present enormous complex, famous for its 14 majestic gopurams, or towers, was primarily constructed between the 12th and 18th centuries, reflecting contributions from various dynasties. The crown of Madurai, it also features the renowned Thousand Pillar Hall, adorned with 985 finely carved stone pillars.
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur was constructed over 1,000 years ago, by Chola emperor Rajaraja I. As one of the region’s most ancient temples, it’s a must-see for curious travelers; it also has the distinction of being one of the largest such complexes, with its central tower (vimana) stretching an impressive 63.4 meters (208 ft) into the air amid massive protective walls. This monumental vimana is notably taller than its main entrance gopuram, a key characteristic of its Chola architectural style. Within its walls, Brihadeeswarar Temple is also renowned for historic, colorful stone carvings and sculptures, which exist in varying states of preservation.
Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Stretching across dozens of acres, the Thillai Nataraja Temple is large enough that you’ll need to come prepared with some walking shoes. South of Pondicherry and devoted to Shiva in his cosmic dancing form, Nataraja, the temple has ancient roots, with its current grounds constructed mainly in the early 13th century. However, it received patronage from various dynasties, including the Cholas, Pandyas, and the Vijayanagara Empire. The gopurams here are meticulously carved and strikingly colorful, depicting figures in classical dance poses. This temple is also one of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, uniquely representing the element of ‘space’ (Akasha).
Annamalaiyar Temple, Tiruvannamalai
With the verdant Arunachala Hill serving as a backdrop (and itself a sacred site), the Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai is uniquely picturesque among the famous South Indian temples. As with an actual Dravidian structure, the splendor of its colonnaded hall can only be matched by its four gopurams—the Eastern one (Raja Gopuram) of which stands at 216.5 ft, making it the third tallest gopuram in India. Pilgrims flock to this temple, located in the heart of town, whose current iteration dates back to the 9th century. This temple is also one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, representing the element of ‘fire’ (Agni).
Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
While not as colorful as some of the other structures on this list, the Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram is constructed from granite. Although its origins date back to at least 600 AD, it was initially built by Pallava kings, rebuilt by Chola kings in the 9th century, and saw significant contributions from the Vijayanagar kings in the 15th century. The highlight of the temple, however, may well be the ancient mango tree within its walls, believed to be over 3,500 years old and bearing four different varieties of mangoes, which holds great religious significance. This temple is also one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, uniquely symbolizing the element of ‘earth’ (Prithvi).
To explore some of these temples in South India, discover our Silk & Sandalwood itinerary.
