Wednesday 25 September 2019

Thillai Kali Amman Temple / Thillai Kali Temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

14th & 15th September 2019.
The visit to this temple was a part of Temples Visit in and around Sirkazhi on 14th and 15th September 2019. After the Darshan of Sri Raghavendra, at the Raghavendra’s birth place temple, Bhuvanagiri on the way Sirkazhi,  visited this temple at Chidambaram. This temple is about 2 KM from Nataraja Temple.


Deity        : Sri Thillai Kali Amman

Some of the important features of this temple are…
The temple is facing west with a mandapam and Kali’s stucco image os on the parapet wall of the mandapam. Soolam with balipeedam is in the mandapam. Vinayagar is on the left and  Karthikeyan ( Arumugam ) is on the right are in front of the Rajagopuram. A 3 tier Rajagopuram is at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum complex. 

Kali Amman is in the sanctum is with four faces. In Koshtam Brahma Sworubini, Naga Vaishnava Sworubini, Kadamba Vana Dakshina Sworubini, Sri Veena Vidya Ambigai. In Prakaram sannadhi for Urchava Ammans, Veerabhadra, Nagars, Bhairavar and Chandikeswarar.

In the mandapa on the left sannadhi for Veeraperumal ( A hero Stone Arikandam ), Navakanda statues and Kali with ferocious face ( Nisumbasoothini ). Fully covered with saree / vasthra and kungum are sprinkled over the vasthiram. The Veera Perumal is a Hero Stone Arikandam or Navakandam. During Chozha and Pallava period, it was practice of soldiers, offers their head to Kali, to get victory in the war or for the well being of the King. A Hero stone will be erected in memory of the heros in front of Kali.

ARCHITECTURE 
The temple consists of sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple prati bhandha adhistana with Jagathy, Vrutha Kumudam and Yazhivari. The Prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and Viyyala vari. In the prastaram, adhama padmam in the valabi and yazhivari on the in Bhumi desam. A single tier gopura type vimana with 5 kalasams is on the sanctum sanctorum. The main 3 tier rajagopuram is with 7 Kalasas.

 Amman Vimana back side

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The presence of Kali as Nisumbasoothani with hero stones indicates that the temple might have existed during Pallava  or Chozha period as brick temples. As per the  12 inscriptions ( between 1229 – 1278 CE ) available, this temple was reconstructed  as stone temple by  Kadava King Kopperunchinga- I ( 1216-1242 CE )  ( called themselves as the descendants of Pallavas or Latter Pallavas ). 

The inscriptions ( South Indian Inscriptions V-8, 706 to 717 ) speaks about reconstruction of this temple, donation of land, pooja articles like Turmeric, Kungumam, Oil and naivedyam offered to Kali. As per the inscriptions Kali was called as Pidari. The Inscription SI V-8,   717, speaks the donation of land measuring 50 kuzhi with periphery limits of the land.

The temple is under the control of Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department. Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1987 and 2007.

LEGENDS
The sthala purana story of Thiruvalangadu temple is applied to this temple also. As per the sthala purana, The argument of who is superior, between Lord Shiva and Parvati was resolved through a dance. It was agreed that whoever defeated should go to, outside limit of Chidambaram. Knowing well Lord Shiva performed the “Oorthuva Tandav”, which Parvati couldn’t perform due to modesty and shyness. So Parvati as kali went to the north side of the city Limit with anger. Kali was pacified by Brahma through chanting of Veda and praising her. Since Brahma pacified Kali, this Thillai Kali has 4 heads.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 Hrs with 4 kala poojas.

CONTACT DETAIL:
The temple may be contacted on land line 04144 - 230251 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:
The temple is about 1 KM from Chidambaram Natarajar Temple and 55 KM from District head quarters.
Lot of buses are available from various parts of Tamil Nadu.
Nearest Railway station is Chidambaram.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Amman Vimana - view from south

 Bhairavar Sannadhi

 Thillai Kali Amman - with ferocious look
 Veera Perumal - A Navakanda ( Arikanda ) Hero Stone 
 Navakanda Hero stones
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

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