Friday, May 6, 2016

Kasi Vishwanathar Temple, Thanjavur

Kasi Vishwanathar Temple, Thanjavur
Kasi Vishwanathar Temple is located in the south main Street of Thanjavur Town. This temple is under the administration of Thanjavur Palace Trust. Kasi Vishwanathar temple is south facing temple which has a small Raja gopuram (tower). The temple belongs to the Maratha period. It was built by the Maratha King Pratap Singh in the 18th century CE.
The main shrine enshrines Shiva Linga called Kasi Vishwanathar. There is a separate east facing shrine dedicated to the Goddess Vishalakshi. The outside walls of the main shrine have the niche (Koshta) images of Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga.

There are sub-shrines of Ganesha, Shanmukha with Valli and Devasena, Navagraha and Chandikeshwarar. The idols of Bhairavar, Saneeswara and Hanuman are also found in the temple.
Four Kaalam Poojas are conducted in this temple daily. Aadi Kiruthikai, Kandha Sasti and Thirukalyanam are the festivals celebrated in this temple with much fanfare.

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