Jagannath Temple
Jagannath Temple is a Hindu temple, located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is among the notable temples of the Chennai region.
About Jagannath Temple
Jagannath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to the divine trinity Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. It is located in Kannathur off the East Coast Road on the Bay of Bengal coast. The temple is built in Kalinga architecture and the annual Rathyatra is the main festival celebrated in the temple.
Architecture and layout
The temple is built in Kalinga architecture similar to the Jagannath temple at Puri. There are 22 marble steps leading up to the main sanctum. The temple was consecrated on 26 January 2001. The temple is built of black granite sourced from Kancheepuram and marble from Rajasthan with landscaping around the temple complex. There is a large Dhvajastambha (flag pole) at the main entrance to the temple. The walls and ceilings are painted with frescoes including the depictions of the ten incarnations of Vishnu. Various flowers are grown in the garden which are used for the pooja, which is conducted by priests from Odisha.
The temple is dedicated to the divine trinity Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. The idols of the main deities are made of neem wood, similar to those at the Puri shrine. There are other smaller shrines dedicated to Hindu gods Yoganarasimha, Shiva, Ganesha, Gajalakshmi, Bimala, and Navagraha.
Festivals and worship
The most important festival at the shrine is the rath yatra, which is celebrated on the same day as in Puri. The primary deities are taken around the village during the occasion on a steel ratha, decorated with wood, cloth and flowers.
Background adapted from Wikipedia, “Jagannath Temple, Chennai”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Edited for length; verify details locally.
Plan your visit
How to reach
The temple is inside Chennai, in Chennai. Autos, app cabs and the city's buses reach it easily; leave extra time in evening traffic. Chennai airport (MAA) is about 18 km away. Open directions in Google Maps →
Timings: like most Tamil Nadu temples, expect an early-morning opening around 6 am, a midday closure from roughly noon to 4 pm, and evening darshan until about 8–9 pm. Festival days change everything, so confirm locally.
Today at a glance
Chennai time (IST), from our own panchangam. Nalla Neram is the good window; avoid Rahu Kalam and Yamagandam for starting a journey or a ritual.
Festival days to plan around
This temple's own festivals: Ratha Yatra.
- Vaikunta Ekadasi — December–January
- Krishna Jayanthi — August–September
- Sri Rama Navami — March–April
- Purattasi Saturdays — September–October
Exact dates move with the lunar calendar every year; the festival calendar lists them to 2031, and the daily panchangam shows the tithi and nakshatra for any date.
Booking.com links are affiliate links; prices are the same for you and they help keep this guide free. Day tours: temple & heritage tours from Chennai.
Quick facts
| Deity | — |
| Town | Chennai |
| District | Chennai district |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Sacred lists | Chennai Temples |
Visiting
Most temples in Tamil Nadu open early morning and again in the evening, closing through the midday hours — plan darshan before noon or after 4pm and confirm timings locally, since festival days change everything. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), leave footwear at the stands provided, and note that some sanctums admit Hindus only while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone. Photography rules vary; ask before shooting inside.
Timing a visit? Check today’s panchangam for auspicious windows and festival days, and use our free itinerary builder to slot temples, food and rest into your day.
Temples near Chennai
More Chennai temples
Frequently asked
Where is Jagannath Temple?
Jagannath Temple is in Chennai, within Chennai city. It is reachable by auto, app cab or city bus; Chennai airport is about 18 km away.
What are the timings at Jagannath Temple?
Most Tamil Nadu temples open around 6 am, close from about noon to 4 pm, and reopen until 8–9 pm. Festival days follow a different schedule, so confirm locally before you travel.
What should I wear?
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Footwear is left outside at the stands provided. Some inner sanctums admit Hindus only, while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone.
When is the best time to visit Jagannath Temple?
The temple is busiest and most atmospheric on its festival days: Vaikunta Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Sri Rama Navami. For a quiet darshan, come on a weekday morning outside festival season. Check the daily panchangam for Rahu Kalam before setting out.