The visit to this Kalikambal Temple was a part of “Shiva and Amman Temples Visit”, in Park Town and George Town areas, on 22nd March 2015. Many Shiva and Amman temples are spread in these areas. Some of the temples are 500 years old and has a long history. Thanks to the donors, who donated the land, properties and money for constructing these temples and ensuring continuous poojas.
East side arch with Rajagopuram.
Moolavar : Sri Kamateswarar
Consort : Sri Kalikambal.
Some of the important features of this temple are..
The temple is facing west with Rajagopurams on east ( built in 1983 ) & west ( constructed during 1940 )sides. At the east side entrance mandapam, on the right Prithiyangara Devi in stucco image and shops on the left. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and rsihabam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. In koshatam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai
In the inner prakaram Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Veerabhadra, Palliyarai. Vinayagar and Naga Subramaniar are at the entrance from outer to inner prakaram on east side.
In the outer prakaram Dwajasthambam with thirisoolam is in front of Ambal sannidhi. The other sannadhis are Sri Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar, Veerabhadra mahakali, Vada kathirkamam murugan ( The cine song "Ullam Uruguthaiyaa" was written by Sri Andavan Pichai in the year 1952 from this place ) Gayathri, Durgai, Natarajar, Urchavar Kalikambal, Madapalli, Periyanayagi with Mahalakshmi and Saraswati on both sides, in a separate temple like sannidhi with Sanctum Sanctorum, ardha mandapam.
Ambal Kalikambal is in a separate sannidhi in sitting posture, facing west ( which is unique of this temple ). The upper hands are holding pasa angusam and lower hand is holding nelothpala flower and left hand is in varada hastam.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The adhistanam is on a upanam with kapotam. The jagathy has reliefs & lotus petals. The pilasters are of Kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai and poo mottu pothyal. A two tier salakara Vimanam is on the prastaram, covered with gold plated metal sheet.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple is being maintained by Viswakarmas. As per the article published in “The Hindu” dated 28 January 2021, during mid 1600’s Kalikambal was worshiped on the Sea shore by the devotees of 3 hamlets and Goddess was called as Chenni Amman. After 1639, when the British East India company began building Fort St. George and acquired surrounding settlements for their warehouses and commercial establishments, the temple was relocated inside the Fort, with the goddess known as “Kottai Amman”.
When the Viswakarma Community sthapathis migrated to Thiruvallikeni, they brought stones for construction this Kalikambal Temple from Tiruvannamalai. Once again the temple was forced to shift from Fort to the present location under the Guidance of Muthumari Achari. The exact date of shifting the temple is not known. From the coin dated 1800, discovered during the installation of Dwajasthambam in 2018. From this it was concluded the temple might have been shifted during 1800’s.
Rajagopuram was built during 1940, latter Vishwa Brahma shrine and east side Rajagopuram was added in 1983. The earliest structures are Sanctum sanctorum, Natarajar granite stone mandapam and utsava murtis.
Also it was told that Chatrapati Shivaji, the Maratha King worshiped Kalikambal on 03-10-1677 ( information is from a book Published by Tamil Nadu Government ). Chhatrapati Shivaji’s winning of several fierce battles against Mughal armies and staving of enemy advances towards South are due to the grace of Kalikambal.
It was told that Subramanya Bharathi, during his stay in Thambu Chetty Street, used to visit this temple and worshiped Kalikambal. His intense outpouring of devotion found in expression in his verses such as “Yaadhumaagi Nindraai Kali”.
LEGENDS
This Shiva temple is called in the name of Ambal as Kalikambal Temple due to power of Ambal. Kalikambal is believed to be of Sowmya Swaroopa of Adhi Sakthi ( Incarnation of Parvati / Sakti ) and a kshipra prasadini (swift granter of boons). During Fridays and Sundays there will be a lot of rush for Ambal’s darshan.
Vyasar, Agasthiyar, Pulathiyar and Varunan also worshiped this temple Ambal.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Fridays, A 12 days Vaikasi month brahmotsavam with procession on Poonther, Kannither etc,Pournami, Amavasya, pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi etc,.
Moolavar is in a small sanctum compared to Ambal and regular poojas are mainly conducted for Ambal.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The land line telephone number +91 44 2522 9624, may be contacted for further details.
Email. Kalikambal.chn1@gmail.com
Temple Face book
HOW TO REACH
The temple is in 212, Thambu Chetty street opposite to Muthialpet Girls school.
Nearest Railway station is Mannadi metro station
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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