Chennai चेन्नई

Chennai is a modern metropolis built around older temple towns such as Mylapore and Triplicane, which are far older than the city itself. The Dravidian temple tradition is visible here in tall gopurams, sacred tanks and the daily rhythm of Tamil devotional music. Mylapore is associated in tradition with Tiruvalluvar and with the Shaiva Nayanmars, while Triplicane is celebrated in the hymns of the Vaishnava Alvars.

The Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore is a Shiva shrine praised in Tamil hymns and is known for its large tank and carved gopuram. Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane honours Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna. Vadapalani Murugan is a prominent shrine to Murugan, while Marundeeshwarar in Thiruvanmiyur is a Shiva temple whose name relates to a medicinal legend. Ashtalakshmi temple in Besant Nagar presents the eight forms of Lakshmi in a modern coastal setting, and ISKCON Injambakkam serves the Krishna community. Panguni Uthiram and the Arupathu Moovar procession in Mylapore are widely known local festivals, while the Margazhi month fills the city with dawn bhajans and music. Many temples enforce a dress code, commonly asking men to wear a dhoti or trousers and women a saree or salwar, and non-traditional clothing may be discouraged. Phones are often restricted near the sanctum, so look for the signs at the entrance.