Matsya Narayana Temple Uthandi Chennai Tamil Nadu

Matsya Narayana Temple is also known as Chinmaya Tarangini or Sri Matsyanarayana Dhyana Niketan. It is a unique and holy place in located in Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

In this guide, you will know the temple location, why it’s special, the best time to visit, and how to reach it.

Location of the Temple:

The temple is in Uthandi, Chennai, on Rajaji Salai, off the East Coast Road (ECR), about 4 km from VGP Golden Beach Resort.

It’s right next to the beach, in a quiet area near Panaiyur and Nainarkuppam villages, about 30 km from Chennai city center and 35 km from Chennai International Airport.

Why Matsya Narayana Temple is famous?

• This temple is one of the few built for Lord Vishnu’s first form, Matsya—a fish who saved the holy Vedas during a big flood.
• It was built in 2015 by the Chinmaya Mission to celebrate the 100th birthday of Swami Chinmayanandaji.
• Inside the temple, there’s a 12-foot-tall statue of Matsya Narayana, made from stone.
• The temple has no roof, so you can enjoy the sea wind, sound of the waves, and the sky while you pray.
• Around the statue, there are 108 pillars with the names of Lord Vishnu written in Tamil, Sanskrit, and English.
• There’s a special small temple for kids called “Kutty’s Kovil,” with small statues of Ganesha, Krishna, and Hanuman.
• Other gods like Ganesha, Shiva, Hanuman, and Lakshmi-Narayana are also in the temple.
• A path with small stones helps people walk and press pressure points on their feet.
• There’s a water channel with fish around the main statue, which matches the Matsya story.
• You can also visit a bookshop that sells spiritual books and items like Rudraksha beads.

Best Time to Visit the Matsya Narayana Temple

• Best time to visit: October to March, when the weather in Chennai is cool and nice.
• Visit in the early morning (6:00 AM) for darshan or Gayatri Homam on Sundays to enjoy the calm air and peaceful setting.
• Evenings are also great, especially around 4:00 PM or 6:00 PM on Sundays for the Samudra Aarti (prayer by the sea).
• These times help you avoid the heat and feel the refreshing sea breeze.
• During festivals like Vishnu Jayanti and Chinmaya Jayanti, the temple becomes colorful and lively with special prayers and decorations.

How to Reach Matsya Narayana Temple Uthandi?

Use the below guide…

1. By Train

• Nearest Station: Velachery Railway Station (20 km) or Chennai Central (35 km) are the closest major stations.
• Taxi/Auto-Rickshaw: From Velachery, a taxi costs ~Rs. 400-600, or an auto-rickshaw ~Rs. 200-300 (30-40 minutes). From Chennai Central, a taxi is ~Rs. 700-1,000 (50-70 minutes).

2. By Bus

• State Buses: Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses from Chennai’s CMBT or T. Nagar go to Uthandi or Panaiyur on ECR (Rs. 30-50, 1-1.5 hours). Get off at Uthandi and walk 5-10 minutes or take an auto (~Rs. 50).
• Private Buses: Private AC/non-AC buses from Bangalore or Pondicherry to Chennai stop at Sholinganallur or Akkarai on ECR. From there, take a local bus or auto-rickshaw (~Rs. 50-100).
• Booking: Book private buses via RedBus or local agencies.

3. By Taxi or Cab

• App-Based Cabs: Book Ola, Uber, or local taxis from Chennai city (~Rs. 600-1,000, 45-60 minutes), Chennai Airport (~Rs. 700-1,200, 50-70 minutes), or Bangalore (~Rs. 6,000-9,000, 6-7 hours).
• Group Travel: Agencies like Ganesh Voyages (+91-98400-12345) offer group taxis or vans for families.

4. By Air and Road

• Nearest Airport: Chennai International Airport (MAA, 35 km, ~50-70 minutes by road).
• From Airport: Hire a taxi (~Rs. 700-1,200) or take a bus from T. Nagar to Uthandi, then an auto-rickshaw (~Rs. 50).

5. By Two-Wheeler

• Route: Ride from Chennai via ECR to Uthandi, turning right at Rajaji Salai (30 km, 45-60 minutes). From Bangalore, take NH-44 to Chennai, then ECR (350 km, 6-7 hours).
• Safety: Wear helmets and sunglasses, as ECR can be windy or sunny. Avoid riding at night due to poor lighting.

Tips for Visiting the Matsya Narayana Temple

• When to Go: Visit at 6:00 AM for morning darshan or 4:00 PM for evening aarti. Sundays have Gayatri Homam (6:00 AM) and Samudra Aarti (6:00 PM). The temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
• Clothes: Wear simple, full-length clothes (no shorts or sleeveless shirts). Women can wear sarees or churidar with a dupatta.
• Photos: No photography is allowed inside the temple. Keep phones in silent mode.
• Food: No food stalls inside; carry water or snacks, or eat at nearby restaurants like Adyar Ananda Bhavan (3 km) or DuDu Grill & Bar (2 km).
• Accessibility: Ramps are available for differently-abled visitors, but confirm with the temple (+91-99401-34875) for wheelchair access.
• Activities: Walk the pebbled path for acupressure, meditate by the sea, or let kids enjoy Kutty’s Kovil. Buy spiritual books or souvenirs at the temple shop.
• Nearby Places: Visit Uthandi Beach (next to the temple), Panaiyur Beach (2 km), VGP Universal Kingdom (4 km), DakshinaChitra Museum (10 km), or Madras Crocodile Bank (15 km).
• Note: Visit the temple before the beach, as temple rules ask devotees to avoid the beach first. Contact +91-99401-34875 or visit www.chinmayamissionchennai.com for details.

Read Also: Prati Balaji Temple Shree Venkateshwara Balaji Temple

Why You Should Visit?

Whether you want to meditate, enjoy the sea breeze, or take kids to Kutty’s Kovil, this temple is perfect for a spiritual day trip. Choose your travel option—car, bus, or bike—and experience the calm and beauty of this sacred place.