Arunachaleshwarar - Varadarajar Temple - Twin temple of Chennai

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Chennai, one of India’s four major metropolitan cities, is known not only for its modern urbanity but also for its rich collection of historic temples that dot every neighborhood. Tucked away in the narrow yet lively lanes of Anna Pillai Street in Sowcarpet, lies a remarkable and lesser-known twin temple—dedicated jointly to Lord Shiva as Arunachaleshwarar and Lord Vishnu as Varadarajar.

This ancient temple stands as a beautiful testament to religious harmony, housing shrines for both deities within the same premises.

Arunachaleshwarar Shrine – A Majestic Shiva Sanctum

The main sanctum enshrines Lord Arunachaleshwarar in the form of a large Shiva Linga. Adjacent to it is a shrine for the Goddess Abhitakujalambal, a strikingly gigantic icon that stands out for its sheer scale. In fact, this may be one of the largest Goddess icons found in temples across Chennai.

The temple complex includes numerous sub-shrines and sculptural icons associated with the Shaiva tradition, such as:

  • Navagraha (Nine Planets)

  • Surya (Sun God)

  • Bhairava and Chandikeshwara

  • The Nalvar (Four Shaivite Saints)

  • Shiva Linga with Ambal

  • Nataraja and Sivakami

  • Somaskanda

  • Ganesha

  • Murugan with Valli and Devasena

A particularly fascinating sculpture here is that of a Goddess embracing the Shiva Linga, a rare and evocative representation.

Like most traditional South Indian Shiva temples, the koshta (niche) images along the inner wall surrounding the sanctum include:

  • Ganesha

  • Dakshinamurti

  • Vishnu

  • Brahma

  • Durga

Varadarajar Shrine – Vishnu in the Prakara

The outer corridor (prakara) features a separate shrine for Lord Varadarajar (Vishnu), establishing this temple as a true twin shrine. Additional deities found in this area include:

  • Hanuman

  • A large icon of Vijaya Vinayaka (Ganesha)

  • Shanmukha (Murugan with six faces) flanked by Valli and Devasena

The Annamalai Sub-Temple – A Temple Within a Temple

Adding another layer of uniqueness, this complex also houses a miniature temple within its premises, dedicated to Lord Annamalai. This shrine features:

  • A small Shiva Linga representing Annamalai

  • Koshta images of Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma, and Durga

  • Chandikeshwara in his usual place near Brahma

  • Entrance flanked by images of Ganesha and Murugan

  • Additional sculptures of Surya and Bhairava

The main Goddess of this sub-temple, Unnamalai, is enshrined in a separate sanctum. Two more prominent shrines in this section are devoted to Mahishasura Mardhini and Varahi, both large, powerful icons that are especially venerated by the local community.

Getting There

  • Location: Anna Pillai Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

  • Nearest Landmark: Close to Mint Street and NSC Bose Road

  • Public Transport: Easily accessible by bus, auto, or metro (Mannadi and High Court metro stations nearby)

  • Timings: Varies; typically open during early morning and evening hours. Check locally for exact timings.

Travel Tip:
Don’t let the crowded lanes of Sowcarpet deter you. This twin temple is a true hidden gem for heritage lovers, combining Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions in a single sacred space. The temple's rare iconography, especially the gigantic Goddess forms and the shrine-within-a-shrine concept, makes it a must-visit for those exploring Chennai's spiritual map.

Happy travelling.








Location: Sowcarpet, Peddanaickenpet, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001, India

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