Chettiar Clan’s Chettinad Temples of Tamil Nadu
The Chettiyar (earlier known as Nagarathars) community of Chettinad region constructed temples wherever possible. Like in other communities, this community too had clans.
There are 9 clans in Chettinad community. Each clan was associated with one temple with its own water tank. That is how 9 Chettinad Temples are famous in Chettinad region.
Each clan had their own rules and protocols to be maintained. The temple committee often played a big role in town planning, and a flourishing city soon developed around these temples.
These are some of the pictures of the interiors of the Chettinad Temples. Not all of them allow photography; wherever they permitted I clicked to my heart’s content. The sculpted figures are so life like, almost telling a story.
Karaikudi stone pillars, steps leading to temple
Chettinad temple interior
9 Chettinad Temples
Nine of these temples are the most famous ones. Their distances from Karaikudi mentioned with names:
Illaiyathangudi Kovil (25 km), Mathoor Kovil (5 km), Vairavankoil (15 km), Nemamkoil (12 km), Illupaikudi Kovil (5 km), Surakuddi Kovil (10 km), Velangudi (12 km), Iraniyur Kovil (25 km) and Pillaiyarpatti Kovil (12 km). Very complex names, but all are reachable and we toured them in a span of three days crisscrossing the entire Chettinad region. Do a slow travel around he area to fully experience the greatness of the heritage of the place.
Angels sculpted in Chettinad Hindu Temples
Each temple is unique. Religious activities dominated the daily life of people in these regions for centuries. The traditions and rituals handed down generations after generations. And watching them perform these activities is interesting and valuable. The entire set of 9 Nagarathar temples of Chettinad is worth visiting.
In its heydays the entire region must have been grand! Now it seems so dreadfully silent. Most noteworthy in these temples are the paintings on the ceilings. The colors are charming as ever. Time is taking its toll on these monuments of heritage.
This area is a must visit destination in Tamil Nadu. Tourism in Chettinad is yet to pick up. I wish the Tamil Nadu Tourism board would do something about this.
Chettinad temple architecture is as interesting as the Chettinad house architecture and is a widely pursued subject by students of architecture.
One unusual aspect that was shared with me was that:
People within the same temple of Chettinad region are considered as siblings. To get married the bride and groom should belong to different temples. Only exception is Mathur Temple. There are subdivisions within the temple. So marriage among brides and grooms of certain subdivisions are permitted.
Chettinad style pillars – temple architecture
Angels painted in ceilings and sculpted on walls and pillars show a distinct influence of European architecture subjects. I have not seen such winged humans in other temples of India.
Best Time to Visit Chettinad Temples
The ideal time to visit and tour temples of Chettinad is October to March. I visited in the month of May and it was so dreadfully hot. It is best to avoid summers here.
Tickets and timings
None of the temples need any tickets for entering, though some are very strict about no photography.
The temples open by 6.30am and shut at 12pm and then reopen again at 4pm and shut at 7pm.
How to reach Chettinad Temples
Villages of Chettinad are now spread over 1000sqmiles. There are 56 villages in Shivaganga district and 20 villages in Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu.
We drove down to Chettinad from Bangalore. Road conditions are good, it took us about 8 hours, including an hour’s halt for lunch.
The nearest airport is Madurai and Trichy (Tiruchirapalli), both at approximately 100 km. And the nearest railway station is Karaikudi.
Beautiful shots as always. I haven't seen these but temples always entice me. Thank you Indrani for sharing this post, liked it a lot.
I'm yet to visit this part of the country…great sculptures and an informative account too, Indrani… 🙂
I have read and heard a lot about Chettinad, but never got to visit. Your post almost gave me a tour. Thanks for this beautiful post.
Some great pictures, as always! Chettinad is one part of TN I have yet to explored. Thanks for this visual tour 🙂
The use of pillars, is exquisite in all of them, It just adds to the grandness. The sculptures are flat not much elevated,Great pics, Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful! As always… The names certainly are tongue twisters but I managed them alright 🙂 The roofs offer a vibrant colour display which I have not seen in other temples in south… the sculpture as always is awe inspiring …
post n pics both are beautiful. Chettinad famous for its food too !
Such wonderful sculptures. Nice post!
Interesting brief on the temples and its commitments over there! Excellent perspectives in photos…
It's wonderful that at least some of the temples permit you to take photos, otherwise I might never see there wonders.
awesome carvings and paintings on the temples!!
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Its nice to see people taking interests in maintaining the beauty of the temple, loved the paintings on the ceilings.
These pix look glorious…in South India temples were hub of socio-political life besides being the religious fronts…interesting to know a clan/family known by their temples…perhaps something related to gotras.
Amazing art in stone and paintings – Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by.
Lovely pictures, those ceiling with painting are just marvelous.
Thank you for these beautiful interior photos of the some of the temples. The details are very impressive, and the colors of some of the art is very vibrant. I'm glad you were able to get pictures.
Beautiful architecture..
Such beautiful detail everywhere!
How interesting and beautiful to see all the beautiful works of art! There must be so much history and symbolism associated withit all.
Thanks for sharing
The wall paintings are amazing, I would like to go there, thanks Indrani.
Grand, Colorful, Unique these temples are. Good captures!
Wow – wonderful temple shots. So gorgeous!
Beautiful photos of the temples and interesting information.
Thanks for the comments friends.
Photo Cache, those are paintings in ceiling.
a different temple from the usual that we see. love the ceiling art, is that considered mural?
Great shots of the temple. I love the artwork in the stone.
Striking especially to see western cherubs!
ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
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And another incredible temple, glorious colors, incredible design/art!! They never cease to amaze me!! Thank you so much, Indrani, for sharing the beauty of your world!! Have a wonderful week!!
Greetings Indrani, your photos are always marvelous and show places I would love to see. This is a magnificent Temple, the engravings are fascinating with such lovely colors.