Georgetown Sri Kandaswami (Kandha kottam) Temple- Chennai

Address

Georgetown Sri Kandaswami (Kandha kottam) Temple- No: 38, 52, Nyniappa St, Rattan Bazaar, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003 Phone: 044 2535 2190

Diety

Sri Kandaswami Amman: Sri Deivanai, Sri Valli

Introduction

The Kandaswami Temple, located in the Parry’s Corner (Old: George Town) neighborhood of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan.

The temple is commonly referred to as Kandha Kottam, and its full name is ‘Mutthu Kumāra Swāmi Deva Sthānam.’
It is managed by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, a government body responsible for overseeing religious institutions in the state.

Puranic Significance

Historical Significance:

The original temple was constructed in the 1670s by Maari Chettiar.
The existing stone temple was built in the early 1800s.
The main idol of Lord Murugan in this temple has an interesting history. It was discovered and brought from a tank bund near the Thiru Porur Shri Kandha Swāmi Temple, which is located on the Chennai to Mahabalipuram route. The installation of this idol took place in the 1670s.

Association with Saint Rāmalinga Swāmigal (Vallalār):

The temple is connected with the life of the saint Rāmalinga Swāmigal, also known as Vallalār.
Rāmalinga Swāmigal was born in Chennai in 1823 and later moved with his mother to the area near Kandha Kottam temple, where he lived with his brother Sabhapati and his wife.
Rāmalinga Swāmigal’s spiritual journey began during visits to the temple when he had profound experiences, including a vision of Lord Muruga.
He developed a strong inclination towards spirituality and dedicated his life to it, eventually becoming a renowned spiritual figure.

Special Features

Temple Features:

The temple complex encompasses about eight acres of land.
The temple tank, known as ‘Saravana Poigai,’ is a significant feature.
The Sthala Viruksham (sacred tree) of the temple is the Magizham tree.

Temple Deities:

The primary deity in the temple is Lord Murugan, known as Shri Kandha Swāmi. He is accompanied by consorts Deivānai and Valli.
The uthsava moorthi (procession idol) of Lord Murugan is called Shri Mutthu Kumāra Swāmi, and it also has Deivānai and Valli accompanying.
The temple complex includes a shrine for Shri Kulakkarai Vināyagar and another for Shri Kāshi Vishwanādhar and Shri Kāshi Vishālākshi.
Images of various deities, including Vināyagar, Meenākshi Sundareswarar, Idumban, Rāmalinga Swāmigal (Vallalār), and Pāmban Swāmigal, are present in the Mukha mandapam.

Festivals

The temple celebrates various yearly festivals such as Kirutthigai, Aippasi’s Kandha Shashti, Karthigai Deepam, Thai’s Brahmotsavam, Thai Poosam, Panguni’s Utthiram, and more.
Weekly events include the ‘Arut Perun Jothi Agaval’ song on Thursdays, and there is daily āru jāma poojai (six times a day worship).
The temple holds monthly festivals of Kirutthigai and Kandha Shashti.