Karaneeswarar Temple
Karaneeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple, located in Saidapet, Chennai district, Tamil Nadu. It is among the notable temples of the Chennai region.
About Karaneeswarar Temple
Karaneeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the neighborhood of Saidapet in Chennai, India. It is dedicated to Shiva. This is an ancient Temple presently managed by the HR & CE department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Goddess is known as "Swarnambika" (The Golden Mother). Apart from this, there are separate shrines for Lord Ganapathi, Lord Karthikeya and other Parivara Devtas. This temple is located next to the Saidapet Railway station.
Legend
Lord Indra having given his divine cow " Kamadhenu" to Sage Vashishta is worried as she has not returned even after a long time .He find out that she has been cursed into becoming an ordinary one because she had created obstacles during Pooja and Prayer of Sage Vashishta. He consults his Ganas and on that basis finds out that the Holy Cow Kamadhenu can be redeemed if he constructs a Temple to Lord Shiva in between Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur on the North western direction. He then ordains the clouds (Kar) to rain and cool the area thereby creating a wonderful green pasture.
Architecture and layout
This temple has a 7-storied Gopuram with two prakarams(closed precincts of a temple). This temple has a beautiful tank. We come across the shrine for Ganesha and as we move further after circumambulating the temple we come across the Shrine for Lord Karthikeya and further as we move towards the Dwajasthamba we cross the shrine of Lord Vedagiriswara.
We enter the main precinct of the Temple where the main Shrine of Lord Karaneeswara and the Goddess Swarnambika are situated. We find beautiful idols of Lord Dakshinamoorthy and Nayanmars installed inside the inner Prakara (Precinct). There are also separate shrines for Lord Palani Andavar, Lord Virabhadra and Lord Surya inside the temple.
Background adapted from Wikipedia, “Karaneeswarar Temple, Saidapet”, 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 Saidapet. Autos, app cabs and the city's buses reach it easily; leave extra time in evening traffic. Chennai airport (MAA) is about 7 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
- Maha Shivaratri — February–March
- Pradosham — twice a month, evening
- Arudra Darshan — December–January
- Karthigai Deepam — November–December
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 | Saidapet |
| 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 Saidapet
More Chennai temples
Frequently asked
Where is Karaneeswarar Temple?
Karaneeswarar Temple is in Saidapet, within Chennai city. It is reachable by auto, app cab or city bus; Chennai airport is about 7 km away.
What are the timings at Karaneeswarar 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 Karaneeswarar Temple?
The temple is busiest and most atmospheric on its festival days: Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham, Arudra Darshan. For a quiet darshan, come on a weekday morning outside festival season. Check the daily panchangam for Rahu Kalam before setting out.