The
visit to the “Remains of Chengalpattu Fort” was a part of the “Shiva and Vishnu
temples of Chengalpattu Visit” on 27th July 2025. During ancient
times, this place was called Sengazhunirpattu, which has become Chengalpattu
now. The central part of the fort is inaccessible due to various reasons like vegetation growth, occupation of Tamil Nadu Police and vehicles seized by them,
Public Works Department offices, Chengalpattu Special Home for Children,
Juvenile Justice Court, and Juvenile Jail, etc.
Brief
History of Chengalpattu Fort…
Chengalpattu
was a part of Kancheepuram District till 2019. Chengalpattu District was
formed after 2019, with Chengalpattu as the capital city.
After
Pallavas and Chozhas, Chengalpattu came under the Vijayanagara Empire from
1336 CE to 1675 CE. The town of Chengalpattu was formerly the capital of the
kings of the Vijayanagar Empire after they were defeated by the Deccan sultanate in
the battle of Talikota in 1565 CE. The fortress at Chengalpattu, built by the
Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century (As per Kothanda Ramar’s Temple
inscription, the fort was built by Thimmaraju), was of much strategic importance
owing to the swamp surrounding it and the Kolavai Lake situated beside it.
Chengalpattu was taken over by the French in 1751 CE and was retaken in 1752 CE
by the British Governor Robert Clive. After that incident, the fortress proved
to be of great strategic advantage to the British. During the wars of the
British with Hyder Ali of Mysore, the fortress stood out to some extent against the
latter’s assault. After the British shifted their activities to St. George Fort,
the damaged fortress lost its importance, was neglected, and became ruins. The
fortress area was occupied by the nearby residents, the Central Government for
their Railway projects, the State Government for establishing their offices, the Police
station, the Courts, the Jail, the Highways, the bridges, etc.
Ref:
Tamil Nadu Government website
Sri
Kothanda Ramar Temple’s Inscription
Chengalaput
/ T. Jefferys Sculp. 1771
Author Jefferys, Thomas (1719?-1771). Graveur
PC - website
A big neem tree on the bastion
THE
TEMPLES INSIDE THE FORT REMAIN
There
are some temples constructed at the South side entrance of the Fort, between the Fort wall
and the agazhi/ moat. Some of the temples are Sri Uma Maheswarar (Not in the form
of Shiva Linga), Kantha Kottam Murugan Temple (with Arupadai Veedu Murugan
Temple, Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar, and Visalakshi) (Phone number of the
Kantha Kottam Temple priest is +919442772787), Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple,
Sri Kadumbadi Amman temple (Chinna Muthu Mariamman Temple), Sri
Muthukumaraswamy Temple, Needhi Vinayagar Temple, and Kottai Vayil Anjeneyar Temple
Srinivasa Perumal Temple
Murugan Temple
UMA
MAHESWARAR TEMPLE
The
Uma Maheswarar temple was constructed on a bastion above the stone wall.
Balipeedam and a Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum
sanctorum, Uma Maheswara is in the form of an image and not in the form of a regular Shiva
Lingam. A salakara vimanam is in the sanctum sanctorum.
KOTTAI
VAYIL VEERA ANJANEYAR TEMPLE
The
temple faces south. A stucco image of Anjaneyar is on the top of the east side
entrance. Stucco bas reliefs of Anjaneyar, Raghavendar, Sri Ramar, Sita,
Lakshmanan & Anjaneyar, and Lakshmi Hayagreevar are on the opposite wall
(Fort wall) of the sanctum sanctorum.
All
the temples are constructed abutting the Fort Ahazhi/ moat walls and the Southern entrance
of the fort.
HOW
TO REACH
The
Fort remains are about 0.5 km from the Railway Station, 31 km from Tambaram
Railway Station, and 57 km from Chennai Central Railway Station.
The
nearest Railway Station/ Junction is Chengalpattu
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLES: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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