Constructed on the lines of the Kali temple in Kolkata, a temple in West Mambalam neighbourhood is the Madras Kali Bari temple. Apart from worship, people from the community visit the temple for other reason. The temple offers medical assistance to the poor periodically.
Kalibari Temple conducts a free eye camp on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. The camp is on from 9 am to 12 noon. They test patients for cataract and check if they require a surgery and if they are eligible for it. They also organise for taking the patients to Agarwal Hospital in Cathedral Road and perform the surgery the next day. The surgery and accommodation is free. Not only cataract, they also check the power of the eye and advise for glasses. The service is aimed at the poor getting their eyes checked and lead a healthy life.
Every week, on Tuesday and Saturday, at 5 p.m., Dr. Rangan visits the temple to check patients for blood sugar and pressure. The medicines are distributed for free to these patients. If he is unable to visit on any day, the temple organises to take the patients to his clinic nearby and gensure they get checked.
The temple management also conducts tailoring classes. The first batch starts from July to December and the second batch from January to June. Tailoring is taught by Ms. Sukanya. They collect Rs. 300 as registration fee. They provide tailoring machines to work on. The students have to bring their own scissors, cloth and other essentials.
Dance classes are also conducted in the temple for the art-inclined.
For further details contact, The Madras Kali Bari Temple, 32, Umapathy St Extension, West Mambalam.