Kachchaleswarar Temple, Hindu temple in George Town, Chennai, India
Description
The Kachchaleswarar Temple is a Hindu temple in George Town, Chennai, with a five-tiered Shiva Lingam structure adorned with tortoise, serpent, lion throne, yugasanam, and lotus representations. The complex displays rich ornamental carving that translates religious symbols into stone form.
History
The temple was built in 1725 by Kalavai Chetty, a British East India Company interpreter, marking a turning point in the area's history. Its construction sparked the first major conflict between different caste communities in Madras.
Culture
The temple honors Lord Shiva as Kachchaleswarar and connects this worship with Vishnu's tortoise incarnation, reflected in both the name and the building's design elements. This blend of two divine forms appears throughout the temple's details and structure.
Practical
The temple holds four daily rituals starting at 6:00 AM and ending at 8:30 PM, with different ceremonies scheduled throughout the day. Visitors should wear appropriate clothing and be prepared for the religious practices observed on site.
Did you know?
A small shrine within the temple houses a five-faced statue of Herambha Vinayagar seated on a lion and flanked by two female deities. Devotees visit this shrine seeking blessings related to marriage and family harmony.
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