Mallikesvarar Temple, Chennai

Mallikesvarar Temple
Mallikesvarar Temple Location within Tamil Nadu
Name
Proper name	Mallikesvarar Temple Temple
Tamil	மல்லிகேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், மல்லிகார்ஜுனர் திருக்கோயில்
Geography
Coordinates	13°5′2″N 80°16′12″E / 13.08389°N 80.27000°ECoordinates: 13°5′2″N 80°16′12″E / 13.08389°N 80.27000°E
Country	India
State/province	Tamil Nadu
District	Chennai
Locale	Chennai
Culture
Primary deity	Mallikesvarar Temple
Architecture
Architectural styles	Dravidian architecture

Mallikesvarar Temple (Tamil: மல்லிகேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்) or Mallikarjunar Temple (Tamil: மல்லிகார்ஜுனர் திருக்கோயில்) is a Hindu temple situated in the city of Chennai, India. It is one of the first Hindu temples to be constructed in the British settlement of Madrasapatnam.

History

The twin temples of Chenna Kesava and Chenna Malleeswara Swami were originally built by Beri Thimappah, the dubash who brokered the deal between Francis Day and the local chieftain for the small strip of beach that was to become the city of Madras. The city's regional name "Chennai" is said to have been derived from these temples.^[1] The Mallikesvarar Temple was constructed by Alanganatha Pillai, assistant chief merchant to the British East India Company, in the 17th century AD.^[2] The temple is first mentioned in a document of 1652 as "Mally Carjuns Old Pagoda".^[2] It is also believed to be the Muthialpet Pagoda depicted in a Madras map of 1710.^[2]

Notes

1. "Chennai High: Where history beckons". The Times of India. Chennai: The Times Group. 27 August 2010. Retrieved 20 Jan 2013.
2. Srinivasachari, C. S. (1939). History of the city of Madras written for the Tercentenary Celebration Committee. Madras: P. Varadachary & Co. p. 25.