Islamic prayer times in Chennai (India) are astronomically calculated based on the coordinates 13.0827°N, 80.2707°E. NamazWorld uses the Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı (Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs) calculation method by default, with a Fajr angle of 18° and an Isha angle of 17°.
The 6 Daily Prayers
Muslims in Chennai perform six prayers daily: Imsak (beginning of the fast, approx. 10 min. before Fajr), Fajr (morning prayer at dawn), Dhuhr (midday prayer after the zenith), Asr (afternoon prayer), Maghrib (evening prayer at sunset) and Isha (night prayer at nightfall).
Qibla Direction for Chennai
The Qibla direction (direction towards the Kaaba in Mecca) in Chennai is exactly 288° from geographic north. This calculation is based on the great circle method.
Recommended Calculation Method
For Chennai in India, NamazWorld recommends the Diyanet method, which is used by most mosques in Central Europe. A total of 11 recognized calculation methods are available.
About Chennai
Country
India
Region
Tamil Nadu
Latitude
13.0827°
Longitude
80.2707°
Timezone
Asia/Kolkata
Qibla Direction
288°
Distance to Mecca
4,381 km
Population
4,681,087
From the Quran
"And establish prayer and give zakat and bow with those who bow." — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:43
Calculation Method
Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı is used as the calculation method. You can change the method above to see times from other organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prayer Times in Chennai
When is Fajr prayer today in Chennai?
The Fajr prayer time in Chennai is calculated daily based on the astronomical coordinates 13.08°N, 80.27°E. The exact time varies by season and is displayed on NamazWorld with a live countdown.
What is Imsak and how does it differ from Fajr?
Imsak marks the beginning of the fasting period, approximately 10 minutes before the Fajr prayer. During Ramadan, eating and drinking should stop at Imsak. Fajr is the actual morning prayer time. In Chennai, the two times are typically about 10 minutes apart.
Which calculation method is recommended for Chennai?
For Chennai in India, NamazWorld recommends the Diyanet method (Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs). In Europe, this method is used by most mosques. Alternatively, 10 other methods are available, including MWL, ISNA, Umm al-Qura and the Egyptian General Authority.
How accurate are the prayer times for Chennai?
Prayer times are astronomically calculated using the exact GPS coordinates of Chennai. Accuracy is within ±1 minute. The calculation takes into account solar elevation, geographic location and the time zone Asia/Kolkata.
How is the Qibla direction calculated for Chennai?
The Qibla direction for Chennai is calculated using the great circle method — the shortest route on the Earth's surface between Chennai and the Kaaba in Mecca (21.4225°N, 39.8262°E).
When does fasting begin and end in Chennai?
In Chennai, fasting begins at Imsak time (approx. 10 min. before Fajr) and ends at Maghrib (sunset). The fasting duration varies by season — in summer it can exceed 16 hours, in winter it can be under 9 hours.
What do the individual prayer times mean?
Fajr (Dawn): first light on the horizon. Sunrise (Shuruq): end of Fajr time. Dhuhr (Noon): sun at its zenith. Asr (Afternoon): shadow of an object equals its length. Maghrib (Sunset): sun disappears below the horizon. Isha (Night): last twilight disappears.
Why do prayer times in Chennai differ from other cities?
Prayer times depend directly on geographic location. Even 50 km of distance can lead to differences of 1–3 minutes. Cities further north have longer summer days and later Isha times. NamazWorld calculates the times for each city individually using exact coordinates.
Can I see the prayer times for Chennai in advance?
Yes, in the monthly overview on the Chennai city page you will find all prayer times for the entire month. You can also browse past and future months using the arrow buttons.
Is daylight saving time taken into account for prayer times?
NamazWorld automatically accounts for daylight saving time for Chennai in the time zone Asia/Kolkata. The displayed prayer times are always in the currently valid local time.