Pallikaranai Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple

This ancient temple, built during the Chola period and likely expanded in the late Chola or early Pandya era, is a living heritage temple that continues to attract devotees from across the region.

The temple is dedicated primarily to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Lakshmi Narasimhar, and also houses shrines for Sri Srinivasa Perumal, Sri Ramar, and Sri Anchaneyar (Hanuman), making it a spiritual hub for Vaishnavite devotees.

The temple’s architecture showcases classic Dravidian style, with intricate carvings and traditional elements that reflect its historical roots. Pilgrims can participate in various poojas and rituals conducted in Tamil and Sanskrit.

The daily schedule includes Morning Puja from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM and Evening Puja from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays. Saturdays offer extended hours, with darshan available from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Special poojas such as Shravanam Thirumanjanam, Vadamaalai, and Vennaikaapu are performed, with the Shravanam Thirumanjanam held every Shravanam star day. Free darshan entry is available to all devotees.

Festivals are celebrated with great devotion, including Panguni Uthiram in March-April, Hanuman Jayanthi in December-January, Puratasi Saturdays in September-October, and the monthly Shravanam observance.

The best time to visit is during evening aarti, winter months (November to February), weekends, and festival seasons, when the temple atmosphere is especially vibrant.

Devotees are encouraged to follow a traditional dress code: men should wear dhoti or formal attire, while women are advised to wear sarees, salwar kameez, or chudidhar. Photography is generally not allowed inside the main sanctum.

Limited parking is available near the temple, but the narrow street can make access challenging, and there is no wheelchair accessible entrance. Reaching the temple is convenient from different parts of Chennai.

From Chennai Central or Egmore, take the MRTS to Velachery and continue by bus, auto, or taxi towards Narayanapuram. Chennai International Airport is about 11 km away, and nearby railway stations include Velachery (5.5 km), St. Thomas Mount (9.5 km), and Tambaram (11 km).

Accommodation options range from small hotels and guest houses near Velachery and Tambaram to business-class hotels along OMR and in areas like Sholinganallur and Medavakkam.

After the evening puja, devotees are offered various types of prasadam daily, and annadanam is sponsored by devotees on special occasions such as Pournami and festivals.

Nearby attractions include Narayanapuram Lake, Velachery Lake, Guindy National Park, Sholinganallur Iskcon Temple, Thiruvanmiyur Beach, and DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum, offering visitors a chance to explore the cultural and natural beauty of the region during their pilgrimage. For further information, devotees can contact the temple at +91 94451 70903.