Kachaleeswarar Temple, George Town, Chennai
Kachaleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located in George Town area of Chennai, the capital of the South
Indian state of Tamil
Nadu. The Temple is also known as the Great Kachali
Pagoda during British Period. The Temple is located in Armenian Street, in the neighbourhood of Parrys Corner. The temple
is modelled on the Kachaleeswarar Temple at Kancheepuram.
The Temple was constructed on land belonging to Dubash Kalavai
Chetty in 1725, the temple belonged to the left-hand
castes and was the site of the first
major conflict between left and right-handed
castes in the then Madras city. Presiding
Deity is called as Kachaleeswarar / Kachabeswarar and Mother is called as Soundarambikai
/ Azhakambigai.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
The temple was built in 1725 by Kalavai Chetty, a Dubash
working for the British East India Company, on a land belonging to him. A huge retinue of dancing
girls were attached to the temple in the earlier days. These dancing girls
resided in a quarter adjoining the temple. A plaque in the temple records the
year of the first Kumbabishekam (consecration) as 1728.
Post-Independence, a Mahakumbabishekam (great consecration) was held
on 8 July 1962. A major renovation of the temple began on 20 February 1984 and
another great consecration was held on 9 July 1989.
The
Temple
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Temple
Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and
4.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Pooja
Timings
·
Kalasanthi (8:00 A.M)
·
Uchikala Pooja (11:00 A.M)
·
Sayaratchai Pooja (6:00
P.M)
·
Arthajamam Pooja (8:30
P.M)
Festivals
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Prayers
This is a holy place worshipped by those who face
impediments in getting married and those with no issues. By performing Rudrabhishekam
to the Lord, hurdles in marriage will be eased and the wishes will be
fulfilled. Worshipping Ambal by smearing oil on her, the person is blessed with
an offspring is the belief. Devotees who have Sarpa Dosham (snake malfeasance)
and those who are afraid of poisonous creatures perform abishekam to Lord
Kachaleeswarar. Behind the lingam on the sanctum wall is Sadasivamurthy.
The belief is when this form of Lord Siva and the
formless Linga are worshiped together in the same sanctum, it will help
alleviate all sins and give Mukti (salvation) from rebirth. Devotees with
planetary afflictions come to pray and find relief for their misery. People
celebrate their sixtieth birthday (a century in the Hindu calendar) before the
Navagrahas or nine planets and pray for good health and happiness.
Contact
Kachaleeswarar Temple,
Armenian Street, George Town,
Chennai – 600 001
Phone: +91 44 -
2522 7177
Connectivity
Kachaleeswarar Temple is located at Armenian Street in
the George Town area of Chennai, South
India. The Temple is located at about 400 meters from Loyer Square Bus Stop,
700 meters from Parrys Corner Bus Stop, 800 meters from Chennai Beach Railway
Station, 1 Km from Mannady Metro Station, 3 Kms from Chennai Central Railway
Station, 5 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 13 Kms from Koyambedu Chennai
Mofussil Bus Terminus and 21 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is located
very close to the Mannady Metro 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