Chidambaram Thillai Kali Amman Temple- Cuddalore

Address

Chidambaram Thillai Kali Amman Temple- Chidambaram, Cuddalore District- 608002 Tamil Nadu.

Diety

Amman: Thillai Kali Amman

Introduction

The Thillai Kali Temple, located on the outskirts of Chidambaram in the Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu, is a significant place of worship dedicated to Goddess Kali.

History and Origin:

The temple was built by Chola King Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 and 1278. It is believed to be more than 1000 years old.
The temple has a historical and mythological connection to Goddess Kali. Legend has it that Goddess Kali moved to this location after losing to Lord Shiva in a celestial dance contest.

Evolution of Worship:

The worship of Kali or Durga, known as Shaktism, came to Tamil Nadu from the Gauda region (present-day Bengal) before the 7th century CE. Tantric rituals were initially followed in Kali temples.
During the reign of the Chola dynasty, there was a transition from Shaktism to Saivism. The Cholas embraced Saivism as their religion, leading to a shift from Tantric traditions to Agamic rituals.
Symbolizing the victory of Saivism over Shaktism, Lord Shiva was portrayed as the King of Dance (Nataraja), defeating Kali in a dance competition.

Construction and Deities:

The present temple is believed to have been constructed in the 13th century CE by Kadava Kopperunchingan, a local chieftain.
The temple features two main shrines: one dedicated to Goddess Brahma Chamundeeswari, depicted in her benign form with four faces, and the other to Goddess Thillai Kali, shown in her ferocious form.
Other important deities in the temple include Goddess Saraswathi in the form of Veena Vidyambigai and Dakshinamurthy, who has a female form known as Kadambavana Dhakshina Rupini.

Religious Significance:

The goddess Thillai Kali is associated with the Magam star, and those born under this star often pray to her with abishek (ritual bathing) and archanas (offerings) to seek the fulfillment of their wishes.
Devotees typically perform abishek with oil and offer white vastras (cloths) and archanas with Kumkum (vermilion).

Temple Structure:

The temple’s sanctum sanctorum is a simple pathabandha structure with distinct architectural elements such as Jagathi, Vrutha Kumuda, Yazhivari, Prastaram Gopuram, and kalasam.
The temple has a single-tier gopura-type vimana (tower) with five kalasams, and a larger three-tier rajagopuram with seven kalasams.

Annual Festival:

The most famous festival in the Thillai Kali Temple is the “Vaikasi Thiruvizha,” which lasts for 13 days during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (mid-May to mid-June).
The festival includes various rituals and processions, including daily ablutions to the deity with gingelly oil, sandalwood powder, and vermilion. The deity is taken in a procession each evening in different vehicles (Vahanas).
The festival concludes with various events, including the “Theerthavaari Utsavam,” “Kaapu kalaidal,” “Manjal Neerattu,” “Muthupallakku Utsavam,” and “Theppa Utsavam,” ending with the “Thiru Oonjal Vizha.”

The Thillai Kali Temple holds cultural and religious significance, and the annual Vaikasi Thiruvizha is a major attraction, bringing devotees together to celebrate the goddess and her divine grace.