Famous Temples in India

KACHALEESWARAR TEMPLE

Mannady, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

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God

The main deity of this temple is Kachaleeswarar, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva faces East. Lord is portrayed with five seats at backside of Lingam– Koormasanam (tortoise), Ashtanagasanam (eight serpents), Simhasanam (lion), Yugasanam (time), and Kamala Vimalaasanam (lotus flower).

Interesting Facts

  • The Temple is also known as the Great Kachali Pagoda during British Period.
  • The lingam here is on the five seats, Koormam (tortoise), Nagam (snake), Simham (lion), Yugas (the eons) and Padmam (lotus). Such appearance of Lord Siva is a rare sight.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (42°C during day and 30°C during night)Average - May (33.7 °C during the day and 28 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (26 °C during day and 21 °C during night)Monsoon season - June to September

Dress Code

  • For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
  • For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
  • Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

  • Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.
  • Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
  • Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name Distance Contact Number
Mangadu Bus Stand
27.9 KM 18004194287
Chennai Central Railway Station
5 KM 044-28194579
Chennai International Airport
20.4 KM 044-22560551

Architecture

Kachaleeswarar Temple Grabha Gudi Vimana is Chaturanga Vimaanam. At the roof of the mandapam are sculpted the 12 zodiac signs, 27 stars, 60 years, the four yugas and the Ashtathik Balakas (the angels of the eight sides). Sculpture of Dalavai Chettiar and his wife Sundari can be seen on a pillar in the south praharam. Colorful paintings depicting the Thiruvilaiyadalgal (Shiva’s Play) of Lord Siva are seen on the walls of the inner praharam and Alankara mandapam. Theertham associated with this Temple is Sivagangai Theertham.

Religious Significance

Dalavai Chettiar: After worshipping Lord Shiva as Kachaleeswarar at Kanchipuram, Dalavai Chettiar, a devotee was returning home. It was raining heavily and the River Paalaaru was in spate. He became anxious as he had to return home to look after some important business. The heavy rains continued for a week and even after it stopped, it took another week for the waters in the river to subside. The devotee placed his faith in Lord Siva and prayed fervently and finally, when the waters receded, he returned home. To his utter surprise all the jobs that had needed his attention were completed satisfactorily. Lord Shiva had assumed the devotee’s persona and had finished all the work. In gratitude, the devotee performed the Shivalinga pooja and then built a temple for Kachabeswarar in Chennai. It took him eight years and the temple was completed in 1720 CE. In due course, the name of the Lord became Kachaleeswarar.

Pancha Vahana Sivan: When devas and asuras churned the Milk Ocean, the Manthira mountain that was used as the churning stick got drowned in the ocean. At that time, Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and supported the churning stick, Manthira mountain. Lord Siva worshipped by him then is called ‘Kachabeswarar’ or ‘Kachaleeswarar’. ‘Kachapa’ means tortoise.

History

The temple was built in 1725 by Kalavai Chetty, a Dubash working for the British East India Company, on a land belonging to him.

Temple Timings

Day Timings
All Days 05:00 AM - 12:00 PM 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Tours










Airports

Airport Name Distance
Shamshabad 40 KM
Lorem Ipsum 12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name Distance
Secunderabad 10 KM
Nampally 12 KM
Begumpet 6 KM
Lingampally 20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name Distance
MGBS 35 KM
CBS 28 KM
kukatpally 20 KM
Lingampally 30 KM
Uppal 35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Private Transport 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757

Local Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Local Transport 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757

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Chembarambakkam Dam is a treat to one’s eyes

Distance:32.7 KM
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It is a place really worth spending your valuable time

Distance:40.8 KM
Fort SADRAS DUTCH FORT
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Remain as one of the last remnants of Chennai’s Dutch heritage

Distance:71.2 KM

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KACHALEESWARAR TEMPLE

Mannady, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

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