Arulmigu Chennai Sri Kalikambal Kamadeswarar Devasthanam

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:00 – 21:00

Established

1640

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Ancient seated stone vigraha of Goddess Kalikambal in peaceful (Shanta Swaroopa) padmasana holding pasha, ankusha, and chinmudra, with sacred Sri Chakra consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya at her lotus feet

Religious tradition

Vedic Shakta Sri Chakra Agamic Tradition

Sanskrit name

श्री कालीकाम्बा कामदेश्वर देवस्थानम्, चेन्नै

Also known as

George Town Kalikambal Temple, Thambu Chetty Street Temple, Chhatrapati Shivaji Kalikambal Temple

Darshan hours

Daily

06:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Break timings

12:30 PM - 04:30 PM (Monday to Thursday)

Special days

Sharad Navaratri, Vasantha Navaratri: 04:30 AM - 11:30 PM (Continuous Darshan)

Festival timings

Open continuously till 11:30 PM during Navaratri festival days

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

07:00 AM

Midday aarti

12:00 PM

Evening aarti

06:00 PM

Night aarti

08:45 PM

Special aarti days

Every Friday, Tuesday, Purnima, Navaratri days, Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti

Ritual schedule

Nitya Chatukkala Puja, Sri Chakra Navavarana Puja, Kumkumarchana, Suhasini Puja, Chandi Homam, Silver Chariot procession

Pooja timings

06:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:45 PM

Abhishek timings

07:00 AM - 08:30 AM (Special Abhishekam to Sri Chakra and Ambal on Fridays)

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

Yes

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Traditional Viswakarma community of Madras and local merchant guilds; patronized by Maratha rulers

Architect / builder

Master traditional Tamil Viswakarma sthapathis

Construction materials

Solid dressed granite stone base, brick-lime Rajagopuram, gold-plated kalashas, silver chariot

Historical events

On 3 October 1677 CE, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj visited this temple secretly and offered worship to Mother Kalikambal before his southern campaign; poet Subramanya Bharati wrote his patriotic verses while praying here

Renovations

Punarprathishta performed with a grand new 10-foot tall Rajagopuram and silver chariot under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department and hereditary Viswakarma trustees

Archaeological importance

Crucial socio-religious monument documenting the birth of modern Chennai and the visit of Shivaji Maharaj

Legends

The Goddess was originally fierce (Ugra Kali); Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya visited and established the Ardha-Meru Sri Chakra to transform her into the serene mother of boons (Kamakshi)

Inscriptions

Stone and metal records in Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi detailing the visit of Shivaji Maharaj and community endowments

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

1640 CE foundations with modern 20th-century expansions

Structure

Dense urban walled temple complex with towering Rajagopuram, pillared navaranga, separate Kamadeswarar shrine, Sri Chakra sanctum, and chariot mandapam

Floors

1

Gopuram

Soaring five-tiered entrance Rajagopuram embellished with stucco sculptures of Shakta devatas and Durga legends

Mandapa

Pillared Navaranga supported by carved granite pillars depicting Shakta motifs, yalis, and dancing deities

Sculptural features

Serene seated stone murti of Goddess Kalikambal; consecrated Ardha-Meru Sri Chakra; stone Kamadeswarar Lingam; historical painting of Chhatrapati Shivaji worship

Artistic elements

Intricate ceiling rosettes, embossed silver sanctum frames, gold-plated prabhavali, and silver chariot

Construction technique

Interlocking monolithic granite block masonry adapted for a bustling commercial street setting

Unique features

The holy Sri Chakra consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya, the historical Shivaji memorial, and the world-famed Kinathadi (well-side) Murugan shrine

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Ashwayuja Navaratri, Chithirai Pournami, Aadi month (July/August)

Special celebration days

Every Friday, Tuesday, Purnima

Cultural events

Devotional bhajans, Carnatic classical concerts, and Bharatanatyam during Navaratri

Annual events

Grand Kalikambal Brahmotsavam and Silver Chariot procession through the historic streets of George Town

Peak crowd season

August to October (Aadi and Navaratri season) and every Friday

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

100+ Vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Vibhuti/Kumkum.