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Kaliamman Koil Street, Chennai: History, Location, How to reach, why Street Famous, Interesting Facts, FAQ
Kaliamman Koil Street in Virugambakkam is a temple-lined local road. It connects Arcot Road with the residential pockets behind it. Residents say it is a link road for KK Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Porur and Vadapalani, and one of the worst-hit stretches for traffic. It also has everyday shops, including provision stores and rice merchants.
Kaliamman Koil Street: Detailed Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Kaliamman Koil Street (also spelled Kaliyamman / Kali Amman Koil Street) |
| Area | Virugambakkam, Chennai (PIN 600092) |
| Main junction | Near the junction with Arcot Road |
| Temples on the street | Maha Kali Amman, Sundara Varadaraja Perumal, Shiva-Shakti Vinayagar, Santoshi Mata |
| Role | Link road to KK Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Porur, Vadapalani |
| Traffic | Residents report 5,000+ vehicles a day |
| Shops | Provision stores such as Annamalai Store (#20) and Pandian Agencies (#8) |
| Food street? | No evidence it is one |
| Planned works | Road widening petition; flyover plans nearby (see Location) |
| Not to be confused with | Another Kaliamman Koil Street near Koyambedu bus stand; Mundakakanniamman Koil Street, Mylapore |
History
- Sundara Varadaraja Perumal temple: It is believed to have been built around 800 years ago, during the Chola period.
- Kaliamman temple: In December 2022, the Greater Chennai Corporation issued a demolition notice for the Kaliamman temple. The land was recorded as “encroachment” in official records. In January 2023, the Tamil Nadu government and Chennai Metro Rail told the Madras High Court that neither the Kaliamman temple nor the Sundara Varadaraja Perumal temple would be demolished. The metro line would be realigned.
Location
The street is in Virugambakkam, west-central Chennai. Residents asked the Corporation to widen it, saying the work would ease traffic on Jawaharlal Nehru Road and Arcot Road. The Corporation agreed to redesign the planned Arcot Road to Kalaignar Karunanidhi Nagar 80-feet-road flyover, extending it by 1.3 km past Reddy Street, covering the Vembuli Amman temple and church junctions. The infrastructure piece I found is undated and the widening isn’t confirmed as done.
How to reach
- By road: Arcot Road is the main access. It’s a short drive from Vadapalani, KK Nagar and Koyambedu.
- Metro: A Chennai Metro line is being built through this area, per the 2023 temple report. I couldn’t confirm a nearby operating station, so check CMRL’s map before travelling.
- Bus: I found no route details for this street, so use Chennai’s bus route finder for Virugambakkam stops.
Why it’s known
Locally, it’s known for its cluster of temples and as a traffic-heavy link road, not as a tourist street. The temples sit close together near the Arcot Road junction. The 2022–23 demolition controversy also made it visible in local news.
Interesting facts
- It hosts four temples on one road, of different traditions (Amman, Perumal, Vinayagar and Santoshi Mata).
- One of its temples is believed to date to the Chola era.
- Its temples were saved from demolition after a Madras High Court assurance.
- Its Corporation records tagged temple land as “encroachment,” which temple activist Gouthaman says puts many such temples at risk.
FAQ
Is this a food street?
There’s no evidence of that. It’s a residential and temple street.
Which temples are on it?
Maha Kali Amman, Sundara Varadaraja Perumal, Shiva-Shakti Vinayagar and Santoshi Mata, all near the Arcot Road junction.
Was the Kaliamman temple demolished?
No. The government and CMRL assured the High Court in January 2023 that it would stay, with the metro realigned.
Is the street being widened?
Residents have petitioned for it, and the Corporation has discussed related flyover plans. I couldn’t confirm completion.
Is parking easy?
I found no information. Traffic is heavy, so avoid peak hours.
