Tiger Cave, Chengalpattu: History, Timings & Visitor Guide

Tiger Cave is open every day, usually from early morning to late evening with a break in the afternoon. Darshan and aarti timings change with the season and on festival days.

• MorningOpens early morning (around 5 to 6 AM)
• AfternoonShort break around midday at many temples
• EveningEvening aarti around sunset, closes by about 8 to 9 PM

Ask the temple office on arrival for the day's aarti schedule.

Dress Code & Temple Rules

• DressModest, traditional clothes covering shoulders and knees
• FootwearRemove before entering; use the shoe stand
• PhotographyNot allowed inside the sanctum
• Not AllowedLeather items, tobacco, alcohol, non-veg food
• QueueFollow queue lines and staff instructions on festival days

The cave temple is located 4.8 km (3.0 mi) away from Mahabalipuram, a world heritage site for the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram. The rock cut shrine has a flight of steps. It has a small portico flanked by two pilasters which are supported by rampant tigers. All around the entrance, there are images of tigers, leading to the name of Tiger cave. There are two other cells that have elephant heads carved beneath them. Based on the architectural style, the cave is associated with Rajasimha Narasimhavaram II (690–728).