Kundrathur Nageswarar Temple
Kundrathur Nageswarar Temple is a Hindu temple, located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is among the notable temples of the Chennai region.
About Kundrathur Nageswarar Temple
Kundrathur Nageswarar Temple, also known as Vada Thirunageswaram, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in the neighbourhood of Kundrathur in Chennai, India. The temple was built in the 12th century by the Shivite saint Sekkilar and is modelled on the Thirunageswaram temple at Kumbakonam.
History
Sekkilar, the 12th-century Shivaite poet-saint and the author of the Periya Puranam, built the temple at his native place of Kundrathur after visiting the Nageshwara Swami temple in Tirunageswaram near Kumbakonam, which is associated with Rahu, one of the navagrahas (nine planets) of Hinduism. Since the temple at Kundrathur is situated to the north of the original temple at Thirunageshwaram, the temple came to be known as Vada Nageshwaram (lit. "North Nageshwaram"). The temple features several Chola architectural elements.
The temple has 46 stone inscriptions including those of Kulothunga Chola III (1178–1218 CE), Rajendra Chola III (1246–1271 CE), Sundara Pandiyan (1251–1271 CE), Maravarman Kulasekara Pandiyan I (1268–1311 CE), Harihara Rayar I (1509–1592 CE), and Sriranga Devarayar (1582–1592 CE).
Architecture and layout
The temple is located on the Kundrathur Main Road. The main deity of the temple is Lord Nageswarar (Shiva) and his consort goddess Kamakshi Amman (Parvathi). The main entrance with a five-tier tower (raja gopuram) lies on the eastern side of the complex. The main entrance leads to a mandapa or auditorium of the Chola times, near which a shrine for Kamakshi Amman is present. The main deity is the shiva linga, worshipped as Nageshwara Swami, and the utsava-murti or the deity of procession is Somaskanda.
The temple is one of the nine Shiva temples around Porur associated with the Navagraha. The temple's holy theertham (pond) is known as Suryapushkarini and the sacred tree is the shenbagam (Michelia champaka) tree.
Festivals and worship
The temple conducts annual brahmosthsawam that spans 10 days around Chithra Pournami (April).
Background adapted from Wikipedia, “Kundrathur Nageswarar Temple”, 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 8 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 | 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 Kundrathur Nageswarar Temple?
Kundrathur Nageswarar Temple is in Chennai, within Chennai city. It is reachable by auto, app cab or city bus; Chennai airport is about 8 km away.
What are the timings at Kundrathur Nageswarar 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 Kundrathur Nageswarar 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.