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Lord Shiva and Mother Kali had a dancing contest.  Lord Shiva performed His furious Ugra Thandava and raised His legs upward at a stage and asked Kali if She could perform this. 

Due to her feminine traits, Kali could not do this.  Though defeated, She became furious.  Lord Brahma appeared there and praised Kali as Veda Nayaki, with Her four faces representing the four Vedas, and begged Her to calm down.  

Kali responded to Brahma’s prayer and granted darshan to Him as Brahma Chamundeeswari.  An idol is made in this form separately and installed in the temple.

A debate arose between Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi as to who was more powerful between them.  Shiva claimed he was.  But Shakti was too voracious in her defense on the debate to establish Her claim.  

Angered by this, Lord Shiva cursed Her to become an Ugra Kali.  Realizing Her haste and violent argument, Shakti begged Shiva for a remedy.  The Lord Said, “Devas and men will be subjected to the atrocities of demons shortly.  You, as Ugra Kali, will destroy the demons and protect Devas and men.  Then, You come to Thillai  and perform penance on me.  I shall be there to grant Ananda dance darshan to Sages Patanjali and Vyakrapada.  You will join me there as Sivakami” .

Those visiting Chidambaram temple complete the pilgrimage to the place with the worship of Thillai Kali.

Mother Thillai Kali graces the devotees with four faces from a separate shrine. Thillai Kali appears furious and is facing east. 

Lord Dakshinamurthy is in a female form praised as Kadambavana Dakshina Rupini. Probably, this is the only temple where Lord Dakshinamurthi appears in a female form.

Mother Maha Saraswathi blesses the devotees as Veena Vidyambica. 

Mother Brahma Chamundeeswari is also praised as Thillai Amman.  She is facing west in a standing posture. 

Temple address: Sri Thillai Kali Temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore  district.