Sri Kaalikaambal Kamadeeswarar Temple - Chennai
The Kaalikaambaal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shri Kaalikaambaal (Kaamaakshi) and Lord Kamadeeswarar, located in Parry's corner (Old: George Town) locality of the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is located in Thambu Chetty Street, a prominent financial street running parallel to Rajaji Salai.
Dedicated to Goddess Kalikambal, a form of Goddess Parvati, and Shiva as Lord Kamadeeswarar, Kalikambal Temple is yet another living memoir of the city's ancient history. Built in 1678, Kalikambal temple is a historic temple that has been ornately carved. While its origin and history are a matter of speculation, it is popularly believed that initially a fiercer form of Goddess Kamakshi was worshiped at the temple. Later, it was replaced with a calmer form, Shanta Swaroopa.
Legend:
Chennai city was once called Chennamman Kuppam in the name of Goddess Chennaman and later changed as Chenna pattinam. The Goddess Kali of the earlier Chennamman Kuppam is today’s Sri Kalikambal. The temple was originally located closer to the sea shore and was relocated to the current site at 1640 AD. It was then built in 1678 during the British regime as per the records found. The temple has the sanctity of the two Pancha bootha Sthalams – Kanchipuram and Thiruvannamalai as it has Kaamaakshi of Kaanchipuram worshipped as Kaali and Arunaachaleswara along with goddess also present here.
At the foot of the Goddess is present the Arthameru installed by Sankaracharya. Sri Kamadeswarar is present in a separate shrine. Many Sages Vyasa, Parasara, Agasthya, Angeerasa, Pulasthya and Celestial Gods Indra, Kubera, Varuna and Viswakarma worshipped Sri Kalikambal. It is said that Kubera got all his wealth only after worshipping Sri Kalikambal here.
The great Tamil poet, Subramanya Bharathiar, when he was working for Swadesha Mithran, used to visit this temple often. He song the famous “Yadumaki Ninrai Kali” song on this deity. The Great Shivaji, the Maratha warrior and the founder of the Hindwi-Swarajya in the 17th century, had worshiped the Goddess in this temple incognito on 3 October 1667.
Importance:
A sculpture of Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar sitting cross-legged, with some palm leaves in his hand is present on Kalikambal's Temple Gopuram.
It also has a rare painting and a sculpture showing Goddess Kali blessing Chatrapati Shivaji.
Historical records indicate that Shivaji’s army came down south up to Kancheepuram, then under the sway of the Nawab of Arcot, who owed allegiance to the British. Legend has it that he visited the temple after he heard that the presiding deity was Kali, his favourite goddess. A long line of Maratha kings, who were descendants of Shivaji, later controlled the Thanjavur region for nearly two centuries.
The main shirne enshrines Kaalikaambal as Soumya roopa Kaamaakshi. The idol is strikingly beautiful and at the foot Meru os situated. Near the entrance of the main shrine, the utsava idols of Kalikambal in ugra form along with Saraswati nad Lakshmi are located in a separate shrine, which is full of mirrors. Adjacent to the main shrine, there is a shrine for Arunachaleswara Shiva with Goddess Unnamulai (Aapitha Kuchaambika). ANother shrine is there for Sri Kaamadeeswarar.
Valli Devasena sameta Sri Subrahmanya, Siddhi Buddhi sameta Sri Vinaayaka, Badhra Kaali sameta Veera Bhadra, Viswakarma shrines are there in Praakaara of Kaalikaambal Temple. There is a big idol of Sri Pratyangiraa Devi which has been installed recently. Devotees pay their respects by lighting lamps and offer flowers to get rid off family problems and graha shanti.
The Kaalikaambaal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shri Kaalikaambaal (Kaamaakshi) and Lord Kamadeeswarar, located in Parry's corner (Old: George Town) locality of the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is located in Thambu Chetty Street, a prominent financial street running parallel to Rajaji Salai.
Dedicated to Goddess Kalikambal, a form of Goddess Parvati, and Shiva as Lord Kamadeeswarar, Kalikambal Temple is yet another living memoir of the city's ancient history. Built in 1678, Kalikambal temple is a historic temple that has been ornately carved. While its origin and history are a matter of speculation, it is popularly believed that initially a fiercer form of Goddess Kamakshi was worshiped at the temple. Later, it was replaced with a calmer form, Shanta Swaroopa.
Legend:
Chennai city was once called Chennamman Kuppam in the name of Goddess Chennaman and later changed as Chenna pattinam. The Goddess Kali of the earlier Chennamman Kuppam is today’s Sri Kalikambal. The temple was originally located closer to the sea shore and was relocated to the current site at 1640 AD. It was then built in 1678 during the British regime as per the records found. The temple has the sanctity of the two Pancha bootha Sthalams – Kanchipuram and Thiruvannamalai as it has Kaamaakshi of Kaanchipuram worshipped as Kaali and Arunaachaleswara along with goddess also present here.
At the foot of the Goddess is present the Arthameru installed by Sankaracharya. Sri Kamadeswarar is present in a separate shrine. Many Sages Vyasa, Parasara, Agasthya, Angeerasa, Pulasthya and Celestial Gods Indra, Kubera, Varuna and Viswakarma worshipped Sri Kalikambal. It is said that Kubera got all his wealth only after worshipping Sri Kalikambal here.
The great Tamil poet, Subramanya Bharathiar, when he was working for Swadesha Mithran, used to visit this temple often. He song the famous “Yadumaki Ninrai Kali” song on this deity. The Great Shivaji, the Maratha warrior and the founder of the Hindwi-Swarajya in the 17th century, had worshiped the Goddess in this temple incognito on 3 October 1667.
Importance:
A sculpture of Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar sitting cross-legged, with some palm leaves in his hand is present on Kalikambal's Temple Gopuram.
It also has a rare painting and a sculpture showing Goddess Kali blessing Chatrapati Shivaji.
The main shirne enshrines Kaalikaambal as Soumya roopa Kaamaakshi. The idol is strikingly beautiful and at the foot Meru os situated. Near the entrance of the main shrine, the utsava idols of Kalikambal in ugra form along with Saraswati nad Lakshmi are located in a separate shrine, which is full of mirrors. Adjacent to the main shrine, there is a shrine for Arunachaleswara Shiva with Goddess Unnamulai (Aapitha Kuchaambika). ANother shrine is there for Sri Kaamadeeswarar.
Valli Devasena sameta Sri Subrahmanya, Siddhi Buddhi sameta Sri Vinaayaka, Badhra Kaali sameta Veera Bhadra, Viswakarma shrines are there in Praakaara of Kaalikaambal Temple. There is a big idol of Sri Pratyangiraa Devi which has been installed recently. Devotees pay their respects by lighting lamps and offer flowers to get rid off family problems and graha shanti.
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