This village, off the tourist trail, lies 48 km south of Mahābalipuram, before Merkanam, 6 km to the right of the Pondicherry road. Two remarkable old temples are worth the visit.
The Śiva temple
Its gopuram entrance alone is worth the trip. A mandapa with square pillars is carved with rearing horses ridden by cavaliers, in the Nayak style. A sanctuary shelters the goddess Pārvatī. The second mandapa gathers fine statues of Ganesha, Śiva Lingodbhava, Kārtikeya and their consorts, as well as Brahmā. In the outer courtyard, two small shrines are dedicated to Ganesha and Murugan (another name for Kārtikeya), the two sons of Śiva and Pārvatī.
The Murugan temple (Subramanyan)
About 300 metres away, in the same village. One of its mandapa also shows pillars carved with high reliefs of rearing horses and cavaliers, recently cleaned. In a recess protected by heavy iron bars are kept many fine gilt-bronze processional deities (Utsav Mūrti): that of Murugan, flanked by his two consorts, glimpsed to the side, is splendid.
Practical information
Cheyyur is 48 km south of Mahābalipuram (1 h by bus, 45 min by car).