Kachchaleswarar Temple

Kachchaleswarar Temple, also known as the Great Kachali Pagoda, is a Hindu temple located in Armenian Street, in the neighbourhood of Parry's corner (Old: George Town) in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India. 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.

Kachchaleswarar Temple
Front view of Kachchaaleeshwarar Koil
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictChennai
DeityKachchaleswarar (Lord Shiva)
Location
Location77 Armenian Street
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Geographic coordinates13.033634°N 80.270199°E / 13.033634; 80.270199
Architecture
TypeHindu temple architecture
CreatorKalavai Chetty
Completed1725
Temple(s)1

The temple is modelled on the Kachaaleshwarar temple at Kancheepuram. Kachaaleshwarar (Shiva) is the main deity and Soundaraambikai, the consort deity.

History
Facade of the temple
Pillaiyar thoppu (garden) at the temple, near the entrance

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 kumbhaabishekam (consecration) as 1728. Post-Independence, a mahaa-kumbhaabishekam (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.

Temple tank during a dry season in September, before monsoon
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References
  • Muthiah, S. (2004). Madras Rediscovered. East West Books (Madras) Pvt Ltd. p. 329. ISBN 81-88661-24-4.
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