Chinnakadai Mariamman Temple, Sowcarpet, George Town,
Chennai
Chinnakadai
Mariamman Temple is a Hindu Temple
dedicated to Goddess Renuka Parameswari located in Sowcarpet in George Town area of Chennai, the capital of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is also called as Renuka Parameswari Temple. This is a small but very powerful Temple. The
temple is believed to be more than 200 years Old.
Legends
According to mythology, Lord
Parasurama had to behead his mother on his father's command. Though she was
brought back to life immediately after that, the severed head gave rise to the
iconography of the representation of Shakti as Renuka. In keeping with
that tradition, the temple of Renuka Parameshwari depicts the main deity as
only the head.
History
This temple does not go back
very far in history; most accounts talk of it as being just a couple of
centuries old. The Temple is in existence since 1775 AD. Saint Vallalar used to
visit it in 19th century. Swami Vivekananda have also visited this
temple.
The
Temple
Presiding Deity is called as
Chinnakadai Mariamman / Renuka Parameswari. She is very powerful God as per locals. The main
sanctum of the temple consists of Mariamman with only head above the earth as
in any Amman temple and also in full human form called Renuka Parameswari.
There is also a shrine for Siva called Viswanathar with his consort Visalakshi.
The steps of the temple are said to be powerful since the God was originally
there.
Most of the shop owners in the
area open their shop only after a visit to the temple. A garland of lemon with
chillies hung in the house or shop after Pooja here is supposed to remove all
evils. The highlight of the temple is that camphor burns always in front of the
temple. You will hardly get a chance to see the temple without camphor burning.
During Fridays, the temple will be kept open till 12 midnight.
Prayers
Hanging a garland of a lemon
with 7 green chillies at house entrance after the pooja here will remove all the
dhrishties and bad vibrations.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at the
junction of NSC Bose Road and Mint Street in Sowcarpet area. The Temple is located at about 350 meters from Flower
Market Bus Stop, 600 meters from Broadway Bus Stop, 500 meters from Ratan Bazar
Bus Stop, 1 Km from Chennai Fort Railway Station, 1 Km from Parrys Corner Bus
Stop, 2 Kms from Chennai Beach Railway Station, 3 Kms from Basin Bridge
Junction, 2 Kms from Mannady Metro Station, 1 Km from Chennai Central Railway
Station, 3 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 12 Kms from Koyambedu Chennai
Mofussil Bus Terminus and 20 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is located
very close to the Chennai Central Railway Station. You can proceed on foot to
this Temple from the station. From other parts of the city, you can take a
Cabs, Auto Rickshaw, Bus, Local Trains and Metro Trains to reach the Temple.
Location
References