Kandaswami Temple
Kandaswami Temple is a Hindu temple, located in Georgetown, Chennai district, Tamil Nadu. It is among the notable temples of the Chennai region.
About Kandaswami Temple
Kandaswami Temple (Tamil: கந்த சுவாமி கோவில்) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Murugan, located in the Parry's corner (Old: George Town) neighbourhood of Chennai city, in Tamil Nadu, India. It is also called 'Mutthu Kumāra Swāmi deva sthānam' (Tamil: முத்து குமார சுவாமி ஸ்தானம்) and popularly known as Kandha kottam (Tamil: கந்த கோட்டம்). It is managed by the Tamil Nadu Hindu religious and charitable endowments department of the government of Tamil Nadu. The Kandha kottam temple has associated educational institutions for music and dance classes; primary and high schools; and a college, in various locations.
History
The original temple was constructed by Maari Chettiar in the 1670s. The existing temple was built with stone in the early 1800s. It has seen many renovations and is considered to be one of the finest in the neighbourhood. The area covered by the temple is about eight acres. The temple tank is 'Saravana Poigai' and the Sthala Viruksham (tree) is Magizham tree.
According to the stone inscriptions in the temple, the moolavar vigraham (main idol) of Murugan in this temple was discovered and brought from a tank bund near Thiru porur Shri Kandha Swāmi Temple. It is a famous Murugan temple situated on the Chennai to Mahabalipuram route and that vigraham was installed in this temple during the 1670s.
Architecture and layout
The moolavar vigraha Kandha swami (Murugan), which was brought from 'Thiru porur', is about two feet in height. His consorts Deivanai and Valli are on either side of this presiding deity. The utsava murti is known as Mutthu kumara swami, has consorts Deivanai and Valli. They are in a separate shrine the utsava mandapam. Next to the temple tank Saravana poigai, there is a shrine for Kulakkarai Vināyagar (Ganesha) with Siddhi and Buddhi as his consorts. There is a shrine nearby for Kāshi Vishwanādhar (Shiva) and Kāshi Vishālākshi (Parvati).
At the entrance of this temple, there is a hall called 'Parivedan mandapam'. Sculptured images of Vezha mugatthu Vināyagar (Ganesha) in sitting and standing positions are kept on either side of the mandapam. To the front of the Artha mandapam, there is a 'dwaja sthambam' (Flag Staff). The Mukha mandapam is where the idols of Sarva Siddhi Vināyagar (Ganesha), Meenakshi Sundareswarar (Shiva-Parvati), Idumban, Ramalinga Swamigal (Vallalar), and Pamban Swamigal are found.
Festivals and worship
The Kandha kottam temple has its famous yearly festivals of ādi's Kirutthigai with silver car, Aippasi's Kandha Shashti & Deivānai Thiru kalyānam, Karthigai's Deepam, Thai's Brahmotsavam, Thai Poosam, Panguni's Utthiram and the monthly festivals of Kirutthigai and Kandha Shashti. The temple has weekly 'Arut perun jothi Agaval' song on every Thursday and its daily āru jāma poojai (six times a day worship).
Background adapted from Wikipedia, “Kandaswami Temple, Georgetown”, 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 Georgetown. 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
This temple's own festivals: ādi Kirutthigai, Panguni Utthiram..
- Thai Poosam — January–February
- Skanda Sashti — October–November
- Vaikasi Visakam — May–June
- Panguni Uthiram — March–April
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 | Georgetown |
| 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 Georgetown
More Chennai temples
Frequently asked
Where is Kandaswami Temple?
Kandaswami Temple is in Georgetown, 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 Kandaswami 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 Kandaswami Temple?
The temple is busiest and most atmospheric on its festival days: Thai Poosam, Skanda Sashti, Vaikasi Visakam. For a quiet darshan, come on a weekday morning outside festival season. Check the daily panchangam for Rahu Kalam before setting out.