Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Achuthamangalam, Thiruvarur
Kasi
Viswanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Achuthamangalam
Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kasi
Viswanathar and Mother is called as Visalakshi. Theertham is Gupta Ganga.
Legends
Harichandra stay in this place:
As we
learn from our scriptures, every one righteous in nature and practiced honesty,
probity and integrity in their lives, paid a high price for these values. King
Harichandra was one. He refused to speak falsehood and stood firm on his
commitment to speak only truth – Sathya. He lost his kingdom, wife and son and
began wandering. He landed in this place dense with Iluppai trees
then. He stayed here for a while. He found a Shivalinga in the
place. His joy knew no bounds. He performed abishek to Lord and offered
Vilwa leaves archanas.
When in
deep meditation, he felt that this Shivalinga was of great grace and powers. His
inner mind told Harichandra that the Linga ought to have been brought from Kasi
bathed in the Holy Ganga. He knew that any one worshipping Kasi Viswanatha
Linga would be relieved of the sins of past birth and summed up his courage to
reap the results of his honest life. He felt auspicious vibrations in the
place. This is that famous place – Achutha Mangalam.
Achutha Mangalam:
This is
the holy soil where the Pandavas stayed for a while after losing all their
wealth, kingdom and dignity in the court of king Dridharashtra. They had
to lead a life of exile. Not losing their faith in Almighty, they
worshipped Lord Shiva – in the Darmeswarar temple – near this temple. As
Arjuna stayed here for some time, the place was named Arjuna Mangalam and
changed as Achutha Mangalam as now known.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Besides
monthly pradoshas, the temple celebrates Maha Shivarathri very devotionally in
February-March.
Prayers
People
pray to Lord and Mother for relief from the consequences of sins of the past
birth, to be righteous in this birth and to realize the wishes they have in
their mind. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer Vastras
Connectivity
Achuthamangalam
is located at about 3 Kms from Srivanchiyam, 3 Kms from Nannilam, 19 Kms from Nachiyar
Koil, 30 Kms from Kumbakonam, 20 Kms from Thiruvarur and 120 Kms from Trichy.
Nearest Railway Station is located at Nannilam and Nearest Airport is located
at Trichy.
