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Tamil Nadu

Temples and Sacred Places

The Temples of Tamil Nadu offer the visitor both a glimpse into the history of the region, and a chance to observe the intense spiritual devotion of the Tamil people themselves. From the mighty temples in cities like Madurai, Trichy and Tanjore, to tiny shrines in villages across the state, each one has a story, and each is central to the life of the city, town or village. Temples are so much more than places of spiritual connection however- they are in many cases a meeting place, a social hub and, in some places, parts of the complexes double as markets. There is nothing quite like a Tamil temple- a heady mix of the sacred and the profane, the divine and the down-to-earth and, as with almost everything in India, a place of great contrast.

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Views of Rock Fort Temple, Trichy	Views of Rock Fort Temple, Trichy	Views of Rock Fort Temple, Trichy	Views from Rock Fort Temple, Trichy	The 5 Rathas, Mahabalipuram
Arunachaleswar Temple, Tiruvannamalai	The Matrimandir in Auroville	Central lotus tank at Meenakshi Temple, Madurai	Central lotus tank at Meenakshi Temple, Madurai	Central lotus tank at Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
Close up of temple gopuram (tower) at Chidambaram	Temple detail, Srirangam	Market area inside Meenakshi Temple, Madurai	Market area inside Meenakshi Temple, Madurai	Ceiling painting, Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
Ayyapa devotees in Madurai	Meenakshi Temple Madurai from a nearby viewpoint	Temple detail, Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram	Temple detail, Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram	Temple detail, Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram	Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram	Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram	Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram	Gangaikondacholapuram Temple near Tanjore
Gangaikondacholapuram Temple near Tanjore	Children at Gangaikondacholapuram Temple	Children at Gangaikondacholapuram Temple	People at Gangaikondacholapuram Temple	Friendly saddhu at Gangaikondacholapuram Temple
Nandi Statue, Gangaikondacholapuram Temple	Airatesvara Temple, Darasuram	Airatesvara Temple, Darasuram	Airatesvara Temple, Darasuram	Airatesvara Temple, Darasuram
Main gate at Brihadishwara Temple in Tanjore	Elephant blessing, Tanjore	Elephant blessing, Tanjore	Friendly temple elephant, Tanjore	Central tower at Brihadishwara, Tanjore
Temple detail, Brihadishwara Temple, Tanjore	Temple detail, Brihadishwara Temple, Tanjore	Temple detail, Brihadishwara Temple, Tanjore	Temple detail, Brihadishwara Temple, Tanjore	Temple detail, Brihadishwara Temple, Tanjore
Temple detail, Brihadishwara Temple, Tanjore	Moonrise at Brihadishwara, Tanjore	Devotees at Brihadishwara	Tamil Nadu’s friendliest temple elephant, Tanjore	Sunset views in Tiruvannamalai
Sacred mountain Arunachala, Tiruvannamalai	Sacred mountain Arunachala, Tiruvannamalai	Grass hut on Arunachala, Tiruvannamalai	Bullock cart in Tiruvannamalai	Monkey in Tiruvannamalai
Children in Tiruvannamalai	Children in Tiruvannamalai