Kachchaleswarar Temple
Kachchaleswarar Temple is a Hindu temple, located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is among the notable temples of the Chennai region.
About Kachchaleswarar Temple
Kachchaleswarar Temple, also known as the Great Kachali Pagoda, is a Hindu temple located in Armenian Street, in the neighbourhood of Parry's corner (Old: George Town) in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India. Constructed on land belonging to dubash Kalavai Chetty in 1725, the temple belonged to the left-hand castes and was the site of the first major conflict between left and right-handed castes in the then Madras city.
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. Chetty was a devotee of Lord Shiva at the namesake temple at Kanchipuram, who used to visit it regularly. When torrential rains prevented him from commuting between Kanchipuram and Chennai, he and his wife Sundariammal decided to build a new temple to the same deity at Chennai and constructed the temple and consecrated within a period of three years by 1728.
The temple happened to be the cause of one of "Black Town's" first caste disputes as it belonged to the Left-Hand Caste. With the government's intervention, a new approach to the temple was built without encroaching on Right-Hand Caste property.
Architecture and layout
The main deity of the temple is Lord Kachchaleswarar (Shiva) and his consort goddess Soundharambika (Parvathi). A five-faced Ganesh and Subramanya abut the main sanctum. The main idol is a 5-tier Shiva Ling, a structure known as the panchasanam, adored with tortoise, serpent, simhasanam (lion-throne), yugasanam, kamalam (lotus) and vimalam. A Shiva–Parvathi idol is present behind the main Shiva Ling. The inner corridor has several idols including the Shivite saints such as Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar, and Manikkavacakar; Kachchappa Shivacchariyar; and Haradhatta; among others.
Background adapted from Wikipedia, “Kachchaleswarar Temple”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Edited for length; verify details locally.
Plan your visit
How to reach
The temple is inside Chennai, in Chennai. Autos, app cabs and the city's buses reach it easily; leave extra time in evening traffic. Chennai airport (MAA) is about 17 km away. Open directions in Google Maps →
Timings: like most Tamil Nadu temples, expect an early-morning opening around 6 am, a midday closure from roughly noon to 4 pm, and evening darshan until about 8–9 pm. Festival days change everything, so confirm locally.
Today at a glance
Chennai time (IST), from our own panchangam. Nalla Neram is the good window; avoid Rahu Kalam and Yamagandam for starting a journey or a ritual.
Festival days to plan around
- Maha Shivaratri — February–March
- Pradosham — twice a month, evening
- Arudra Darshan — December–January
- Karthigai Deepam — November–December
Exact dates move with the lunar calendar every year; the festival calendar lists them to 2031, and the daily panchangam shows the tithi and nakshatra for any date.
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Quick facts
| Deity | — |
| Town | Chennai |
| District | Chennai district |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Sacred lists | Chennai Temples |
Visiting
Most temples in Tamil Nadu open early morning and again in the evening, closing through the midday hours — plan darshan before noon or after 4pm and confirm timings locally, since festival days change everything. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), leave footwear at the stands provided, and note that some sanctums admit Hindus only while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone. Photography rules vary; ask before shooting inside.
Timing a visit? Check today’s panchangam for auspicious windows and festival days, and use our free itinerary builder to slot temples, food and rest into your day.
Temples near Chennai
More Chennai temples
Frequently asked
Where is Kachchaleswarar Temple?
Kachchaleswarar Temple is in Chennai, within Chennai city. It is reachable by auto, app cab or city bus; Chennai airport is about 17 km away.
What are the timings at Kachchaleswarar Temple?
Most Tamil Nadu temples open around 6 am, close from about noon to 4 pm, and reopen until 8–9 pm. Festival days follow a different schedule, so confirm locally before you travel.
What should I wear?
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Footwear is left outside at the stands provided. Some inner sanctums admit Hindus only, while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone.
When is the best time to visit Kachchaleswarar Temple?
The temple is busiest and most atmospheric on its festival days: Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham, Arudra Darshan. For a quiet darshan, come on a weekday morning outside festival season. Check the daily panchangam for Rahu Kalam before setting out.