The Twin Temple of Kalatheeswarar and Varadaraja – The Chetti Kovil of Mission Street

Located on Mission Street, this grand temple, with its towering five-tiered Raja Gopuram, is locally known as Chetti Kovil. Built in the second half of the 19th century by the Chettiar community (Arya Vyasa Sangam), this temple is unique as it enshrines both Shiva and Vishnu within the same complex.

Kalatheeswarar, the presiding deity, is worshipped in the form of a Shiva Linga, enshrined in an east-facing sanctum. In the Ardha Mandapa, a Nandi faces him, while the outer corridor features a flagstaff, bali peetha, and Nandi Mandapa, all aligned towards the sanctum. The Antarala (the space between the sanctum and the Ardha Mandapa) houses a metal image of the Goddess along with Ganesha. 

The Goddess of the temple, Gnanambikai, resides in a south-facing shrine within the Maha Mandapa, with a separate Nandi placed in front of her shrine. Ganesha is placed at the entrance of her shrine.

The Koshta murtis (niche deities) of Kalatheeswarar include Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma, and Durga. Chandikeswara is found in his usual position, while the Navagrahas are unusually placed near Durga.

The temple prakara is adorned with multiple sub-shrines dedicated to Nalvar, Ganesha with the 63 Nayanmars, the metal icons of Somaskanda and Pancha Murtis, as well as shrines for Ganesha, Subramanya with Valli and Devasena, and the metal icons of Ganesha with Siddhi and Buddhi. Near the flagstaff, additional shrines house Ganesha and Subramanya. A separate shrine is dedicated to Palani Andavan.

A shrine for Nataraja and Sivakami is also present. Additionally, the temple has a shrine for Kasi Vishwanatha and Vishalakshi, where the Koshta murtis—Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma, and Durga—are found. 

Directly behind the Kalatheeswarar shrine, there are two small shrines dedicated to Vishnu and Ganesha.

The temple complex also houses a separate sanctum for Varadaraja, who is enshrined in a standing posture, accompanied by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Garuda, a bali peetha, and a flagstaff stand facing his sanctum. In his prakara, Maha Lakshmi is enshrined in a separate shrine. Interestingly, in the spot typically reserved for Chandikeswara in Shiva temples, this temple features Viswaksena. Anjaneya is also worshipped within the premises.

The Alankara Mandapa houses several icons, and across the temple, multiple Vimanas in different architectural styles are adorned with brightly painted stucco images, adding to the visual grandeur of this unique twin temple.

Happy Travelling!