Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Chengalpattu for Nature & Heritage Lovers

1.KANDHASWAMY TEMPLE

Hidden away off the crowded OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road) just outside Chennai there lies one of Tamil Nadu’s most revered and historically significant Murugan temples – the Kandhaswamy temple in Thiruporur. This holy place known as Poriyur or Yudhapuri or Samarapuri is abundant with said mythology and sacred worship.

🌟 A Century Old Temple
Of the 33 important temples of Murugan in Tamil Nadu, the Kandhaswamy Temple is one of them and is said to have been originally built under the Pallava dynasty. Lord Murugan, the God of War and Victorr, is prayed ultra devotionally here. This temple has successfully weathered the test of time and history, unchanged and still intact to its original sanctity and beauty through centuries.

The temple walls and halls are inscribed with old inscription, recording religious beliefs, temple demensions, local historical events. These inscriptions record the temple’s importance at different dynasties period.

🙏 Spiritual Significance
Thiruporur, meaning Kai Thanang Mauvi stand in battle is the place where Lord Murugan defeated the Richakyaum demons. Por itself — “Por” meaning war — simply mean with myth to the divine warrior. The god is reverberated here as a guardian and a troubleshooter, drawing in thousands of devotees hoping strength and guidance.

🕰️ Temple Timings & Location

• Opening Hours:
• Morning: 6:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• Evening: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Location:
• Thiruporur, around 25 km from chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu
• Found easily while driving to OMR off Chennai

2.VEDAGIRISWARAR TEMPLE THIRUKALUKUNDRAM

Located on the 160-metre Vedagiri Hill on quaint village of Thirukalukundram, the Vedagiriswarar Temple is not only an old Shiva temple but a centre of mystery, miracles, and devotion as well. Its fame however spreads far and wide because of a unique, and truly stunning phenomenon: According to legend, two divine eagles visit the temple every day at noon to worship the deity.

🔱 A Hill Holy
This hilltop Siva temple is a Sita neighborhood of thousands of yrs back. Pilgrims ascend stone stairs to receive blessings from Lord Vedagiriswarar, an incarnation of Shiva known as “Lord of the Vedic Hills.” It’s more than just a physical journey: it’s a spiritual climb, involving chants, prayers, and sweeping views of Tamil Nadu.

In the village below a second Shiva temple has been built for those unable to climb the hill.

🦅 Eagles Legend
Thirukalukundram takes its name from the “Thiru” (sacred), “Kazhugu” (eagle) & “Kundram” (hill). Legend tells us that two eagles, saints condemned to bird shape, appeared at the temple each day in exile. This extraordinary eye-opener, spotted around mid-day, sprinkled pilgrims and bird enthusiasts alike, calling for the sacred nature of the temple.

🌊 Sacred Tank & Miraculous Shells
Close to the southeastern edge of the village is a shrine tank considered to have healing powers. Every 12 years, the tank blesses devotees by surfacing a natural conch (Shankha) from its depths – an event attracting thousands. The retrieved conches are kept on display within the adjacent temple as signs of divine presense.

During this time, Laccha Deepam festival (lighting of one lakh lamps) illuminates the entire village changing it into a Quickleme of unwind and celebration.

🕰️ Visitor Information

Location: Thirukalukundram, near Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu

Temple Timings: 6:00am – 12:00pm & 4:00pm – 8:00pm

How to Reach: Easily accessible via road; Reachable by road; nearest railway station Chengalpattu

3.TIRUVIDANTHAI

A 1000 years old Nityakalyana Perumal Temple, the sacred site finds prominence in the village of Tiruvidanthai. Known for its pure energy and blessings, this temple is a ‘HOP’ for those looking for marital bliss.

🙏 The Story of Nityakalyana Perumal
Nityakalyana Perumal, or the eternally married Lord, is the chief deity here in his Lord Vishnu Varaha (boar) avatar. According to tradition Vishnu married 360 daughters of a sage – one every day for a year – and then united them into one divine consort. The story represents the gift of life-long companionship and has turned the temple to be a landmark for unmarried devotees who visit the prayer for a suitable life companion.

🌸 Why Visit Tiruvidanthai?
Spiritual Significance: Devotees believe here sincere prayers remove marriages obstacles and bring relationship harmony.

Timeless Architecture: The Temple’s Dravid architecture, carved verses on walls and dotted with serene surrounding fosters an insight of Tamil Nadu’s rich temple culture.

Peaceful Ambience: Located just near to the beach the environment is peaceful and great for introspectrum and peaceful spiritual encounter of soul.

📍 Quick Visitor Info

Location: Tiruvidanthai,EC Road,Between Chennai & Mamallapuram

Main Deity: Varaha Perumal (Nityakalyana Perumal)

Ideal For: Spiritual Pilgrims, married couples, prayer for a help in marriage.

4.CROCODILE BANK

The Crocodile Bank is located about 44 km away from the capital city of Tamil Nadu, at Mahabalipuram. It occupies roughly 3.2 hectares including a variety of Indian and African crocodiles, alligators and other reptiles-compose turtles and snakes. Here are the crocodiles kept in their natural homes. Founded in 1976, by Romulus Whitaker the German Biologist to save the species of all the crocodiles and alligators which are supposed to be on the brink of extinction, it is covered by adequate lush green tropical vegetation providing sufficient shade to these reptiles. When the facility was originally built back in 1957 the total number of crocodiles was just 30. At present the Crocodile Bank has 14 varieties of crocodiles, 12 species of turtles and 5 types of snakes with a total of 2400 reptiles in the Crocodile Bank.

• Opening Hours:
• Tuesday – Sunday: 7.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.

5.MUTTUKADU BOAT HOUSE

TTDC runs a Boating centre in this ideal picnic point having wonderful green back drop and brilliant blue sky and sea, together with food court. Windsurfing Regatta is held Once at a year in the month of February. Muttukadu Boat House is a boat house and watersport, East Coast Road, Muttukadu, Chennai. Rowing, wind surfing, water skiing and speedboat riding available. It is a Backwater of Bay of Bengal lies 36 Kms. Located from city and 23 kms from Adyar from Mamallapuram direction.

• Operating Hours:
• Morning 9.00 a.m. to Evening 6.00 p.m.

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