Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Umayalpuram, Thanjavur
Kasi Viswanathar Temple is a Hindu
temple located at Umayalpuram in the Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. There are some famous temples nearby - Swamimalai,
Tiruvaiyaru, Tiruvaikavur Vilavaneswarar, Vadkurangaduthurai
Azhagusadaimudinathar and Divyadesa fame Vaishnavite temples – Kabisthalam,
Pullabudangudi. The devotee has the advantage of visiting many
temples in a single trip to Umayalpuram.
Legends
According to Hindu Mythology, during his visit to
Kailash, Creator Brahmma ignored Muruga and proceeded further. Lord Muruga
checked him and asked who he was. Brahamma said proudly that he was
the Creator of the worlds. Muruga asked Brahmma to explain the meaning of
Pranava Mantra which he could not. Muruga dismissed him from his
position. Even Lord Shiva could not explain the
meaning. Muruga became the teacher (Guru) to Father Shiva and taught
the meaning of Pranava Mantra in Swamimalai. When Lord Shiva went
along with Muruga, He asked Goddess Uma to stay back. As Uma stayed
here back, the place is known as Umayalpuram.
The other history goes thus. A Gandharva
woman Vijaya by name came to this place created a holy spring and performed
penance to have the darshan of the lord. Lord Shiva granted her boon and stayed
here as prayed by her. The Lord was named
Kasiviswanathar. This history is narrated in Umapura Mahathmiyam
of Brahmanda Purana.
The Temple
Sri Mahameru (perpendicular type of Sri Chakra) is
installed in the shrine of Mother Goddess. Women, Kamala by name, surrendered
at the feet of the Goddess, performed archana with kumkum seeking remedy for
her husband suffering from a serious illness. Goddess graced the
women and cured her husband. Hence, Goddess was named Kunkumasundari.
Vallaba Ganapathy graces from a separate
shrine. The temple is situated on the northern bank of
Cauvery. There are shrines for Vinayaka, Muruga and Bhairava in the
corridor (prakara). Vilwa is the holy tree of the temple. The
holy spring created by a Gandharva woman is at the border of the place.
Shrines
The presiding deity is Shiva and the goddess is Kumkuma
Sundari. There are shrines to Ganesha, Murugan and Bhairava.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 5.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. and 4.30
p.m. to 8.30 pm
Festivals
Wedding festival is celebrated grandly in the month of
Vaikasi (May-June) when Sri Lakshminarayana Perumal performs the wedding of
Lord Shiva and Mother Ambika.
Prayers
Women pray for the health and welfare of their husbands,
removal of obstacles in marriage alliances by performing archana to the Goddess
with kumkum. The bangle ceremony known as Valaikappu is celebrated
for pregnant women praying for safe delivery of the child. Devotees offer
abishek and clothing (Vastras) to the Goddess.
Contact
Sri Kasiviswanathar temple,
Umayalpuram, Thanjavur district
Phone: +91- 435- 244
1095
Connectivity
Umayalpuram is 10 km from Kumbakonam on the Tiruvaiyaru
road. Bus facilities are available.
Nearest Railway Station is located at Kumbakonam &
Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
