Muthalamman Temple, West Mambalam, Chennai
Muthalamman Temple is a Hindu
temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi located in the neighbourhood
of West Mambalam in Chennai
City in Tamil Nadu. The Temple is believed to be 300 years old and situated on
the south end of Lake View Road. This is one of the Ashta Kaval Theivams
(Patron Deities) of yesteryear Mambalam. The temple is associated with Poosam Nakshathra.
Legends
There is an interesting story that the Amman statue was made for
a Singapore temple and somehow stayed at harbor. Later got installed at this
temple. It was also learnt that some devotees from Singapore visits this temple
even now.
The Temple
The temple is facing east without any entrance arch or
Rajagopuram. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and
Arthamandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Muthalamman. She is housed in the
sanctum. She is seated on a 4 feet pedestal under Cobra snake hood. Mother is
holding Damaru, Soolam, Sword and Kapala in four hands. An Idol of Amman’s head
can be found at the base. It is believed that it has been found from the nearby
Lake. Lion Vehicle and Palipeedam are in the mandapam.
Gaumari, Maheswari, Vaishnavi, Brahmi and Durgai are the
niche idols located around the sanctum walls. Ganapathy and Lord Murugan with
his consorts Valli and Devasena can be found at the entrance of the sanctum on
both sides. There are shrines for Kathavarayan and Veerabhadra at the
entrance Gate of the Temple. There are also shrines for Bala Ganapathy, Balamurugan,
Anjaneyar, Hero stone and Navagrahas in the prakaram. Naga Idols can be
found under the peepal tree.
The Temple also houses a Hero Stone (Nadukal) at the
backside of the sanctum. Hero Stones. Hero Stone is a memorial commemorating
the honorable death of a hero in battle. In the
hero stone, the hero is riding on a horse with a sword on his hand.
Another Panel with Mother face can also be found at the backside of
sanctum. It is believed that the temple might have been built for the person in
the hero stone. But later converted to Amman Temple with Muthalamman as
presiding deity. There is a Kanthu (believed to be the male consort of
Amman) and a stone at the entrance of the Temple.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 05.30
PM to 08.30 PM. Timings may change during festival and Fridays.
Festivals
Kruthikai, Shashti, Navarathri. Annual Koozh Festival on
4th Sunday of Adi month are the festivals celebrated here with much
fanfare.
Contact
Muthalamman Temple,
Nallan Kuppam, West Mambalam,
Chennai – 600 033
Mobile: +91 94444 62116 /
94441 17798
Connectivity
This Temple is situated on the south end of Lake view
street, in West Mambalam. The Temple is located at about 400 meters from Mettupalayam
Bus Stop, 600 meters from Ram Colony, 300 meters from Postal Colony Bus Stop,
1.5 Kms from T Nagar Bus Terminus, 2 Kms from T Nagar, 2 Kms from Mambalam
Railway Station, 1.5 Kms from Saidapet Railway Station, 2 Kms from Ashok Nagar
Metro Station, 11 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 8 Kms from
Koyambedu Mofussil Bus Terminus, 8 Kms from Egmore Railway Station and 10 Kms
from Chennai Airport.
West Mambalam is served by Mambalam Railway station (the
busiest station after Chennai Central, Egmore and Tambaram), providing access
to Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore and Tambaram. The nearest bus terminus is T.
Nagar. The bus service connects the area to K.K. Nagar, Vadapalani,
Iyappanthangal, Poonamallee, T. Nagar and Broadway (via Postal Colony),
Mylapore and Vallalar Nagar (via Rangarajapuram) and Saligramam (via Brindavan
Street), West Saidapet and Besant Nagar (via Mettupalayam). Other less frequent
services connect the area to Taramani, Guindy Industrial Estate, Pattabiram,
Tollgate and Kundrathur. Addition to that Small bus operated between Ashok
Pillar to Liberty via 4th and 7th avenue of Ashok Nagar, Ayodhya Mandapam,
Rangarajapuram. Nearest Metro Rail Station is Ashok Nagar.
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