Kasi Viswanathar Temple

Overview

The Kasi Viswanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Kasi Viswanathar and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Visalakshi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, theTevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

About the Temple

In this temple, Mother Durga is facing Lord Chandikeswara. The temple has shrines for Saptha Madhas, Lord Bhairava, Sun, Moon, Mother Jeshta Devi, Lingodhbava, Sri Anjaneya, Mother Mahishasura Mardini and Lord Dakshinamurthi. There are instances of girls not attaining puberty though growing in age. Some do not have the happiness of having a child. Delays occur in concluding marriage proposals. Thus problems of girls are many. There is a separate temple on the bank of Maha Magam Tank offering a solution to such problems. Devotees come to Lord Lord Kasi Viswanathar and Mother Visalakshmi temple, pray to Nava Kannikas for the remedy Women undertake a fasting for 16 Fridays and perform pujas to Navakannikas for girls not attaining puberty even after a reasonable age. Delays in marriage proposals come to an end after this puja. Married couples are blessed with a child. The Kshetra Linga installed under a neem tree in the temple is all merciful and powerful. Usually Lord Vinayaka or Ambica idols are under the neem tree as a tradition. It is different in this temple.Lord came to this place from Kasi – now Varanasi – to help the Nava Kannikas to cleanse them of sins, hence is praised as Kasi Viswanatha and Mother as Visalakshi.

About The deity

The prime deities here are Lord KasiViswanathan and Mother Visalakshi. The name comes from the story which says that Lord Shiva came here from Kasi, Varanasi to help the Navakanikas get rid of their sins. Thus this temple came to be known as the KasiViswanathan Temple.

Legend and Stories

Lord Sri Rama, against his praiseworthy soft characters, had to acquire the traits of Rudra – anger – to wage a war against Ravana to rescue Mother Sita. He approached Sage Agasthya to become a war man. The Sage advised Lord to stay in Kumbakonam for a while and worship Lord Kasi Viswanatha to acquire the angry war character. Rama, following the advice of the sage, succeeded in His wish. As Lord Rama acquired the Aarokanam – acquiring the trait of His need then, this place is also known as Karonam.

Nava Kannikas – Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswathi, Narmada Tungabadra, Krishna, Sarayu and Cauvery were at a loss to know how to shed the sins left on them by people who had the holy dip in the above rivers. They approached Lord Shiva for the solution. Lord advised them to go to Kumbakonam on the Maha Magam day and bathe in the holy tank to cleanse themselves of the sins set on them. The Kannikas had the darshan of Lord Kasi Viswanatha and begged Him to stay here itself for the sake of the common people which Lord obliged. The place has huge statues of these Nava Kannikas.

Festivals

A 10 day festival following the Masi Magam in February-March with float festival on the 10th day is celebrated in the temple.

Significance

People pray here when girls in their families do not attain puberty on time. They also pray for the removal of obstacles in marriage proposals and for cleansing from sins. Realizing their wish, devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.

Nearby Place To Visit

Andalakkum Aiyan
Padikasu Nathar
Gajendra Varadhan
Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal
Appakudathan
Adhivaraha Peruma

Accessibility

The temple stands majestically with a tall Rajagopuram on the north bank of the Mahamagam Holy Tank in Kumbakonam town. Kumbakonam has the nearest railways, and the closest airport is in Trichy.

Temple Address

Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple,
Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district.