South Indian Empires’ & Temples Cheat Sheet
Temples by Pandyas
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple
- City: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Year: 6th — 17th century CE (renovations and expansions)
- King: Various Pandya kings including Kulasekara Pandyan, Thirumalai Nayak
- Why Famous: Renowned for its towering gopurams, intricate carvings, and Meenakshi and Sundareswarar deities.
- Deity: Devoted to Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) and Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva).
2. Koodal Azhagar Temple
- City: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Year: 3rd century BCE onwards
- King: Early Pandyas
- Why Famous: Known for its beautiful architecture and the deity Koodal Azhagar, a form of Vishnu.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
3. Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple
- City: Thiruparankundram (near Madurai), Tamil Nadu
- Year: 6th century CE onwards
- King: Unknown
- Why Famous: One of the Six Abodes of Murugan, known for its rock-cut architecture and association with Murugan (Kartikeya).
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Murugan.
4. Nellaiappar Temple (also known as Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple)
- City: Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
- Year: 7th — 18th century CE (renovations and expansions)
- King: Pandya kings including Parakrama Pandyan, Thiru Vithiye
- Why Famous: Notable for its architectural grandeur and the deity Nellaiappar (Shiva).
- Deity: Devoted to Lord Shiva.
5. Tiruchendur Murugan Temple
- City: Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu
- Year: 2nd century CE onwards
- King: Early Pandyas
- Why Famous: One of the Six Abodes of Murugan, situated near the sea, and revered for its association with Murugan (Kartikeya).
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Murugan.
6. Karpagambal Temple (also known as Kapaleeshwarar Temple)
- City: Chennai (Mylapore), Tamil Nadu
- Year: 7th century CE onwards
- King: Pallavas, but significant contributions by the Pandyas
- Why Famous: Celebrated for its Dravidian architecture, vibrant festivals, and the deities Karpagambal (Parvati) and Kapaleeshwarar (Shiva).
- Deity: Dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.
7. Thiruvotriyur Thyagaraja Temple
- City: Thiruvotriyur (Chennai), Tamil Nadu
- Year: 6th century CE onwards
- King: Unknown
- Why Famous: Known for its historical significance, architectural beauty, and the deity Thyagaraja (Shiva).
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
8. Tenkasi Kasi Viswanathar Temple
- City: Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu
- Year: 10th century CE onwards
- King: Pandya kings including Rajasimha Pandyan
- Why Famous: Noted for its Dravidian architecture, large temple tank, and the deity Kasi Viswanathar (Shiva).
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
9. Thiruppullani Dharbaaranyeswarar Temple
- City: Thiruppullani, Tamil Nadu
- Year: 8th century CE onwards
- King: Pandya kings including Parakrama Pandyan
- Why Famous: Famous for its association with the Ramayana epic and the deity Dharbaaranyeswarar (Shiva).
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
10. Srivilliputhur Andal Temple
- City: Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu
- Year: 8th century CE onwards
- King: Pandya kings including Parantaka Nedumaran
- Why Famous: Renowned for its Dravidian architecture, rich cultural heritage, and the deity Andal (Goddess Lakshmi).
- Deity: Dedicated to Goddess Andal.
Temples by Cholas
- Brihadeeswarar Temple:
- City: Thanjavur
- Year: 1010 CE
- King: Raja Raja Chola I
- Why Famous: It is famous for its magnificent architecture, especially its towering vimana (temple tower) and the monolithic Nandi (bull) statue.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
2. Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple:
- City: Gangaikonda Cholapuram
- Year: 1035 CE
- King: Rajendra Chola I
- Why Famous: Known for its grand scale and architectural beauty, it was built to commemorate the victory of Rajendra Chola I over the Ganges.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
3. Airavatesvara Temple:
- City: Darasuram
- Year: 12th century CE
- King: Rajaraja Chola II
- Why Famous: Renowned for its intricate carvings, particularly the musical steps and the stone chariot.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
4. Chidambaram Temple:
- City: Chidambaram
- Year: Ancient; renovated and expanded by the Cholas
- King: Various Chola kings
- Why Famous: This temple is one of the holiest Shiva temples and is famous for its sanctity, architectural grandeur, and the annual Natyanjali dance festival.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva (Nataraja).
5. Thillai Nataraja Temple:
- City: Chidambaram
- Year: Ancient; renovated and expanded by the Cholas
- King: Various Chola kings
- Why Famous: Same as above (Chidambaram Temple).
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva (Nataraja).
6. Kumbakonam Temples (Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Sarangapani Temple, etc.):
- City: Kumbakonam
- Year: Various years during the Chola period
- King: Various Chola kings
- Why Famous: Kumbakonam is home to numerous temples built or renovated by the Cholas, each with its own unique significance and architectural beauty.
- Deitys: Dedicated to various deities, primarily Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
7. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple:
- City: Srirangam
- Year: Various years during the Chola period
- King: Various Chola kings
- Why Famous: One of the largest temple complexes in India, renowned for its architectural splendor, and considered one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
8. Kailasanathar Temple:
- City: Kanchipuram
- Year: 8th century CE
- King: Various Chola kings
- Why Famous: One of the oldest temples in Kanchipuram, celebrated for its Dravidian architecture and intricate carvings.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
9. Tiruvarur Thyagarajaswamy Temple:
- City: Tiruvarur
- Year: Ancient; renovated and expanded by the Cholas
- King: Various Chola kings
- Why Famous: Known for its architectural beauty and as one of the “Panchabhoota Sthalams” representing the element of water (Jal).
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
10. Gopuram Temples of Tanjore:
- City: Tanjore (Thanjavur)
- Year: Various years during the Chola period
- King: Various Chola kings
- Why Famous: The temples of Tanjore, including the Brihadeeswarar Temple, are celebrated for their imposing gopurams (gateway towers) and intricate sculptures.
- Deitys: Dedicated to various deities, primarily Lord Shiva.
Temples by Pallavas
1. Shore Temple
- City: Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram)
- Year: 700–728 CE
- King: Narasimhavarman II (also known as Rajasimha)
- Why Famous: It is famous for its unique location by the sea, intricate carvings, and structural design.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
2. Kailasanathar Temple
- City: Kanchipuram
- Year: 685–705 CE
- King: Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II)
- Why Famous: It is one of the earliest structural temples in South India and showcases exquisite Pallava architecture.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
3. Vaikunta Perumal Temple
- City: Kanchipuram
- Year: 7th century CE
- King: Nandivarman II
- Why Famous: This temple is renowned for its elaborate carvings and rich architectural details.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
4. Mukteswarar Temple
- City: Kanchipuram
- Year: 8th century CE
- King: Mahendravarman I
- Why Famous: Known for its beautiful architecture and intricate sculptures, particularly the depiction of Lord Shiva as Mukti Rudra.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
5. Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
- City: Kanchipuram
- Year: 685–705 CE
- King: Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II)
- Why Famous: It is one of the oldest temples in Kanchipuram and showcases Pallava architecture at its finest.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
6. Pancha Rathas (Five Rathas)
- City: Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)
- Year: 7th century CE
- King: Narasimhavarman I
- Why Famous: These monolithic rock-cut temples are notable for their architectural uniqueness and representation of various styles of Dravidian architecture.
- Deity: Associated with the five Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata.
7. Thiruvetriyur Kali Temple
- City: Thiruvetriyur (now Tiruvottiyur)
- Year: 8th century CE
- King: Nandivarman II
- Why Famous: This temple is renowned for its ancient roots and cultural significance as a Shakti Peetha.
- Deity: Dedicated to Goddess Kali.
8. Chennai Thiruvottriyur Thyagaraja Temple
- City: Chennai (Thiruvottriyur)
- Year: 8th century CE
- King: Nandivarman II
- Why Famous: This temple is famous for its association with Saint Thyagaraja and its Dravidian architectural style.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
9. Panamalai Temple
- City: Panamalai
- Year: 8th century CE
- King: Mahendravarman I
- Why Famous: Known for its ancient inscriptions and architectural significance, especially its intricate carvings.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
10. Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple
- City: Thiruverkadu
- Year: 8th century CE
- King: Pallava Narasimhavarman
- Why Famous: This temple is famous for its religious significance and architectural grandeur.
- Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.