Thread by @TNGeography

This long thread 🧵provides a partial list of architecturally great "ancient" temples in #TamilNadu.
Temples are listed in the format of "Place", "District" - "Temple Name"
(Photos are from the internet, source unknown)
Udayarpalayam, Ariyalur dt - Sri Payaraneeswarar Temple 1/n

Thirukkandiyur, Thanjavur Dt- Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar Temple (Shiva Temple) 116/n

Thirunallur-Thanjavur Dt- Sri Kalyanasundareswarar temple (Shiva Temple) 117/n

Thirumanacheri, Nagapattinam Dt- SriThirumananathar Temple (Shiva Temple) 118/n

Thirumohoor Madurai Dt- Kalamegaperumal temple (Vishnu Temple) 119/n

Thiruvalam, Vellore dt - Vilwanatheswarar Temple (Shiva Temple) 120/n

Tirupparankunram, Madurai Dt- Murugan Temple (Rock Cut Temple) 121/n

Vellore Fort, Vellore Dt- Jalakandeswarar Temple (Shiva Temple) 122/n

Tirukannamangai, Tiruvarur Dt- Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple (Vishnu Temple) 123/n

Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram Dt- Adhi Ratneswarar Temple (Shiva Temple) 124/n

Karur, Karur Dt- Pasupateeswarar temple (Shiva Temple) 125/n

Vallianoor, Puduchery Dt, Puduchery State - Thirukameswara Temple (Shiva Temple Temple of Life of Pi) 126/n

Thirukokarnam, Pudukottai Dt- Sri Kokarneswarar Brahadambal Temple (Shiva Temple) 127/n

Devikapuram, Thiruvannamalai Dt- Periyanayagi Amman Temple- Sri Kanakagiriswarar, (Shiva Temple) 128/n

Thiru Nedunkulam, Trichy Dt- Sri Nedungala Nathar temple (Shiva Temple) 129/n

Thirukkurungudi- - Five Nambis in this Temple- Thiruvattaparai Temple, Thirumangai Alwar Tiruvarasu Temple, Azhagiya Nambi Temple, Thirupaarkadal Nambi Temple and Malaimel Nambi Temple (Each has its own temple (Vishnu Temple)-Most underrated temple 130/n

Patteswaram, Thanjavur Dt- Thanupuriswarar Temple (Shiva Temple) 131/n

Thiruvedagam, Madurai Dt – Edaganathar (Shiva Temple) 132/n

Thirupudaimaruthur, Thirunelveli Dt- Narumboonatha Swamy Temple (Shiva Temple), this temple has a bird conservation reserve inside the temple. 133/n

Thiruninravur , Tiruvallur dt - Temple city - Ennai Petra Thayaar/Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple, Hrudayaaleeswarar Temple, Eari Kaatha Ramar Temple 134/n

Tirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu Dt - Vedagiriswarar temple (Shiva Temple) 135/n

Thirupunavasal, Pudukottai Dt - Viruthapuraswarar (Siva Temple) 136/n

Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai Dt - Sattainathar Temple (Shiva Temple) 137/n

Srivaikuntam, Thoothukudi Dt- Kailasanathar temple and Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal temple (Shiva and Vishnu Temple, underrated Temples) 138/n

Thiruppanandal, Kumbakonam,Thanjavur Dt - Aruna Jadeswarar Temple and Thaalapureeswarar Temple (Shiva Temple) 139/n

Thirukarugavur, Thanjavur Dt- Garbharakshambikai Temple (Shiva Temple) 140/n

Thiruchendur, Thoothukudi Dt- Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple 141/n

Gingee Fort , Gingee, Villupuram Dt- Chenjiamman, Senji Singavaram Ranganatha Temple and Venkataramanaswami Temple (This 2720Acre Fort comples with many hillocks connected through walls scaling to 13km, the wonder of Tamil Nadu. Once capital of Shivaji Maharaj 142/n

Thirumazhisai, Tiruvallur dt - Jagannatha Perumal temple, Othandeeswarar temple and Sri Veetrirundha Perumal Temple (Vishnu and Shiva Temples) 143/n

Thirumayilai-Maylapore/ Thiruvanmiyur/ Thiruvelikeni, Chennai Dt - Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Parthasarathy Temple, Marundeeswarar Temple (Shiva-Vishnu-Shiva Temple) 144/n

Nanguneri, Thirunelveli Dt- Vanamamalai Perumal Temple/ Thothadrinathan Perumal Temple (Vishnu Temple, Most Prominent Thenkala Vanamalamai Mutt located here) 145/n

Thirukkadigai/ Sholinghur , Ranipet Dt- Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple 146/n

Perur, Coimbatore Dt- Pateeswarar Temple (Shiva Temple) 147/n

Thirupathiripuliyur, Cuddalore Dt- Pataleeswarar Temple (Shiva Temple) 148/n

Palani, Dindigul Dt- Arulmigu Shri Dhandayuthapani temple (Murugan Temple) 149/n

Thillaiyadi, Mayiladuthurai dt, Sarndhaarai Kaatha Easwaran Temple (Shiva) 150/n

Thirukadalmallai, Chengalpattu Dt - Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple (Vishnu Temple) 151/n

Thiruchuli, Virudhunagar Dt- Bhuminathaswamy Temple (Shiva Temple-Birth Place of Ramana Maharishi) 152/n

Nagercoil , Kanyakumari Dt- Nagaraja Temple, 153/n

Velimalai, Kanyakumari Dt, Kumaraswamy Temple (Murugan Temple) 154/n

Boothapandi. , Kanyakumari Dt- Bhoothalingaswamy Temple (Shiva Temple-Small, But Beautiful, I have a thing for Kanyakumari Dt) 155/n

Thiruvattar , Kanyakumari Dt- Sri Adikesavaperumal Temple (Vishnu Temple) 156/n

Kalkulam, Kanyakumari Dt- Neelakantasami Temple (Shiva Temple) 157/n

Tiruttani, Tiruvallur dt, - Subramaniya Swamy Temple 158/n

Thiruvalanchuzhi, Thanjavur Dt - Kabartheeswara Temple (Sadaimudi Nadhar, Vellai Vinayagar temple) 159/n

Chitharal, Kanyakumari Dt- Jain Temples 160/n
There will be series of rock-cut temples will come for next 10 tweets

Mamandur , Thiruvannamalai Dt– 7th Century Cave Temple of Pallava, Monument of National Importance. 161/n

Namakkal fort, Namakkal Dt- Ranganatha Swamy Temple and Narasimha Temple 162/n

Kunnandarkoil Cave Temple- Pudukottai Dt- Shiva Temple 163/n

Mandagapattu, Villupuram Dt - Tirumurti Temple rock cut (Hindu Trinity) , one of the earliest temple of Tamil nadu, the first Pallava monument 164/n

Moovar Koil & Kodumbalur ,Pudukkottai Dt - (9-10h Century ASI Monument) 165/n

Kudumiyanmalai,Pudukottai Dt - Shikanathar Temple and Melakkoil Cave Temple , are important temple for music and dance. It has inscription of them 166/n

Narthamalai, Pudukottai Dt- Vijayalayacholeswaran Temple 167/n

Sittannavasal, Pudukottai Dt- Arivar Koil (Jaina Cave Temple. Know for great Jain Paintings) 168/n

Dalavanur, Villupuram Dt – Satrumalla Pallava Cave Temple 169/n

Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu Dt – Unesco World Heritage Site with great archaeological wonder 170/n

Thirunanthikarai, Kanyakumari Dt- Cave temple 171/n

Kazhugumalai and Vettuvan Kovil, Thoothukudi Dt – The sculptures Paradise, Underrated location in Tamil Nadu 172/n

Tirupullamangai/Pasupathikoil, Thanjavur district - Brahamapurisvarar /Alandurai Mahadevar (Shiva), it also has other historic temples 173/n

Thiruvirkolam/Koovam, Tiruvallur Dt -Thiripuranthakeswarar Sivan Kovil (near to place of origin of Cooum river) 174/n

Palayam Kottai, Tirunelveli dt, Sri Vedanarayanan Alagiyamannar Shri Rajagopalaswamy Temple (Vishnu) 175/n

Palayam Kottai, Tirunelveli dt, - Arulmigu Tripurandhiswarar Temple (Shiva), Ancient big temple with small tower 176/n

Madurai, Madurai Dt - Koodal Alagar temple (Vishnu), temple with three floors 177/n

Madurai, Madurai Dt - Inmaiyil Nanmai Tharuvar Temple (Shiva) temple 178/n

Devadanam, Virudhunagar dt - Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Swamy Temple (Shiva), it has three lingam (Kann Keduthavar, Kaan koduthavar, Kolundheeswarar) in the hillocks in 179/n

Kanyakumari, Kanyakumari Dt - Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Temple 180/n

Teppakulam-Madurai, Madurai Dt - Vinayagar temple (inside Teppakulam), Vandiyur Mariamman temple and Sri Muktheeswarar Temple located near Teppakulam 181/n

Tharamangalam, Salem Dt - Kailasanath temple (Shiva) 182/n

Salem, Salem Dt, Arulmigu Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple(Shiva) 183/n

Hosur, Krishnagiri dt - Chandra Choodeswara Temple (Shiva temple) 184/n

Kanjanur, Thanjavur Dt - Sri Agneeswarar Temple
(Shiva) 185/n

Athimugam, Krishnagiri dt - Arulmigu Iravadeswarar Temple 186/n

Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri dt - Shri Kottai Perumal/Paravasudeva temple 187/n

Thiruthangal/Sivakasi, Virudhunagar dt - Rock hill temple complex with Nindra narayana perumal temple (108 Divya desam - Vishnu), Karunelli Nathar (Shiva), and Pazhani Aandavar Temple (Murugan) 188/n

Thirunangur, Mayiladuthurai dt-Temple city with "11"😳Divya Desam temple
Varadaraja Perumal,
Kudamadu Koothan,
Pallikonda Perumal,
Thiru Narayana Perumal,
ThiruVanPurushotama Perumal,
Sempon Arangar,
Vaikundanathar,
Parthanpalli Perumal(Vishnu)
Amrithapurisvar(Shiva) 189/n

Shenbagaramanallur, Tirunelveli district - Sree Jeganatha Perumal Temple, Sri Ramalingar Temple (Shiva and Vishnu temples) 190/n

Thirunarunkondram, Kallakurichi dt - Shri Appandainathar Digambar Jain Temple, Sri Padmavarhi Temple 191/n

Thirunavalur , Kallakurichi district - Bhaktajaneswarar Temple (SHiva) 192/n

Pennadam, Cuddalore dt - Sudarkoluntheeswarar, Pralayakaleshwarar Temple (Shiva), It is a huge, beautiful temple 193/n

Thiruvamattur, Viluppuram dt - Sri Abirameshwarar Temple (Shiva) 194/n

Thirumanikuzi, Cuddalore dt - Sri Vamanapurieswarar Temple (Shiva) 195/n

Melakadambur, Cuddalore dt - Amirthakadeshwarar Temple (Shiva) known for its intricate carvings 196/n

Panamalai, Viluppuram dt - Thalagireeshwarar Temple (Shiva), an ancient Pallava temple, >1300 yrs old, a granite temple above the beautiful hill top. 197/n

Tiruvalangadu, Mayiladuthurai dt - Vadaraneswar temple (Shiva temple) 198/n

Thirukkokarnam, Pudukottai dt- Shri Bragathambal Temple(Araikasu Amman), partly cave temple, the family deity of Pudukottai Kingdom. Pudukottai king named Bragathambal as the head of the state. She is considered a powerful goddess, those who lost something offer prayers 199/n

Koolampandal, Tiruvannamalai dt - Sri Gangai Konda Chozhiswarar Temple (Shiva), 1000yrs old Chola temple 200/n

Brahmadesam, Tiruvannamalai dt - Rajendra Chola Temple (Chandramouleeshwarar temple), an ancient Pallava and Chola temple with many inscriptions (~90) 201/n

Siyathanmangai, Nagapattinam dt - Arulmigu Brammapureeswarar Temple(Arulmigu Ayavandeeswarar - Irumalar Kannammai temple- Shiva temple) 202/n

Kodumudi, Erode dt - Magudeswarar Temple (Shiva) and Balathadayuthapani Kovil. Important Pilmigiage on the shore of mighty Cauvery. The river takes a sharp turn near this temple. 203/n

Innambur, Thanjavur dt - Ezhuthari Nathar temple (Shiva) 204/n

Illuppaikudi, Sivagangai dt - Thanthondreeswarar temple (shiva) 245/n

Mathoor, Sivagangai dt - Iinutrueeswarar Temple (ஐநூற்றீஸ்வரர்- Shiva) 246/n

Belur, Salem dt - Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple (Shiva) 247/n

Sholinghur(Thirukkadigai), Ranipet dt- It is a temple town with numerous temples.
1. Lakshmi Narasimha temple
2. Sozhapureeswarar temple
3. Bhaktavatchala Perumal temple
4. Yoga Narasimha temple
5. Yoga Anjenayar temple
6. Subramaniya Swami Temple 248/n

Tirumalai (Arihantagiri) , Tiruvannamalai dt - Thiru Neminatha Bhagawan Digambar Jain Hill Temple, it is large Jain temple complex on the hillock, one of the most important Jain monument in TN with 3 Jain caves & many temples. It has tallest statue of Tirthankara Neminathar 249/n

Thiruveezhimizhalai (திருவீழிமிழலை), Tiruvarur dt - Arulmigu Veezhinatheswarar (வீழிநாதேஸ்வரர்) also called Mapillaiswamy temple, one of the beautiful temple in Tamil nadu 250/n (we reached 250) still more to go

@VishnuUdt Sholingur is also known for conflict btw Saivaites and Vaishnavites. The town was believed to be under the spiritual control of Saivaite, later Vaishnavite flourished. You can see many unfinished Saivaite ruins in the town

Thukkachi, Thanjavur dt - Abatsahayesvar Temple(Shiva). Thukkachi temple is the best example of coming together for a cause. It was a dilapidated temple 3 yrs ago, IIT-Madras, TN-HRCE dept, & private funder (big one from Coimbatore) came together to give fresh lease of life 251/n