Kalikambal temple, Chennai.

Today morning after a gap of one full year, went to Kalikambal temple. This is situated in George town. The always busy George town was sleeping at 6am. The Kalikambal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kalikambal (Kamakshi) and Lord Kamateswarar. Kalikambal, the main deity of the temple, was once called as “Neithal Nila Kamakshi”, “Chennamman” and “Kottai Amman” (Kottai mean fort in Tamil language). The area where the temple is located got the name “Chenna Patinnam” or “Chennai Kuppam” due to this goddess. The British East India Company brought Chennaikuppam, Madras Kuppam and Vadavarukuppam in 1639 AD. In Madras Kuppam aka Madrasa Pattinam, the company built a fort (the St. George Fort of current Chennai located near beach). As the original temple of Kalikambal was located inside the fort area, the company wanted to shift the temple to somewhere else for security reasons. Thus, the idol was shifted to Thambu Chetty Street of today’s George Town area, and a new temple was constructed there in 1640 AD.It is believed that a fierce ugra form of the goddess was held in worship earlier, and it was replaced with the Shanta Swaroopa (calm) form of Kamakshi aka Kalikambal. At the foot of the goddess is present the Arthameru, which is believed to have been installed by Aadi Shankaracharya. As Shankaracharya lived around 2500 years old, you can imaging how ancient this goddess would be. It is believed that saints such as Vyasa, Arasar, Agastya,Angreesa, and Varuna have worshipped the goddess. The god of wealth, Kuberan is believed to have worshipped the deity who is said to have bestowed him with wealth and prosperityThe temple is located on Thambu Chetty Street, a prominent financial street running parallel to Rajaji Salai.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. Shivaji, the Maratha warrior and the founder of the Hindawi-Swarajya in the 17th century, had worshiped in this temple incognito on 3 October 1667. It is believed that a fierce form of Goddess was held in worship earlier and that this form was replaced with the shanta swaroopa (calm posture) form of Goddess Kamakshi.Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi used to worship this Goddess and he has also penned a lot poems in praise of Her. He song the famous “Yadumaki Ninrai Kali” song on this deity.

Mahakumbabishekam was performed recently in January 2013. The temple adorns a new look. The Statue of Prathyangara Devi at the entrance is majestic, tall and fierce but with utmost love in Her eyes.
An inner mandapam leads to the east facing shrine to the festival image of Kalikambal, Utsava Periya Nayaki.In the south western direction Siddhi Vinayaka poses imposingly to bless the devotees. In the western side of the sanctum sanctorum there are Kodi Maram, Tirusoolam , Dwara Palaka who pave way for the devotees.

There are also icons of Ahora Veerabhadra Swamy and Mahakali who wait to give darshan to the devotees. Ahora Veerabhadra Swamy assumes great significance on Pournami day- full moon garlanding him with betel leaves is said to nullify the malefic effects of the Navagrahas.

Icons of Kathirgama Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devasena are also part of the celestial congregation. There are shrines dedicated to Nagaraja, Virat Viswa ParaBrahma. Gayathri Devi, Durga inside the temple. In the South western part of the temple Lord Annamalayar poses with his divine consort Unnamalayar. There is a separate enclosure for navagrahas. A shrine dedicated to Veera brahma Sankarar who is the kula guru -head of the Viswakarmar is present in the temple. There is also a shrine dedicated to Lord Kamateswarar. Other deities like Mahavishnu, Kala Bhairavar, Dakshinamurthi, Chandra and Surya find a place in the temple.

The famous song "Ullamurukuthayya" song by T M Soundararajan was composed by Andavar Pitchai in this temple in 1952.This information has been recorded in the stone inscriptions.

On every full moon days and on all navarathri days ,sri chandi homam is performed praying for the welfare of the mankind. On every New Moon days special poojas are performed to Lord Viswakarma. On every full moon days evenings special poojas and group worship is performed. On every Tuesdays and Fridays at ragu kalam special poojas by lighting in lemon fruit cups is worth mentioning. The vows of the devotees with this light offering is believed to be heard and answered immediately The turmeric paste got from the abishegams of Sri Moolavar is proved useful in treating ailments and best for those who are having no child for years after their marriage.