Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Palanganatham, Madurai
Kasi
Viswanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Palanganatham
in Madurai City in Madurai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kasi
Viswanathar and Mother is called as Visalakshi. This is one of the Pancha Bootha
Sthalams of Madurai. This is considered to be the Kalahasthi Temple of Madurai.
Legends
Lord Vishnu
gave sister Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar in marriage and Lord Brahmma
conducted the wedding ceremony. Among those who had the luck of witnessing the
function were Maharshis Patanjali and Vyakrapada. They were following the
practice of taking their food only after viewing the dance of lord Shiva in
Chidambaram – Ponnambalam. As they were in Madurai then for the wedding, Lord
Shiva created the Ponnambalam and performed his dance. The Rishis enjoyed the
dance and had their breakfast then.
Then
Patanjali sat under a tree in yoga. Pandya king Sadaya Vikrama Pandian constructed
a temple in the spot with the ardent love of worshipping Kasi Viswanatha. As it
could not be possible to visit Kasi each day for the worship, he constructed
the temple here. He attained salvation happily. The lord is in lying pose in
the temple. According to traditions, Shiva Lingas in tall and big size are
known as standing, the middle size as sitting and the small ones are known as
lying.
History
Palanganatham has prehistoric reference in
Silapathikaram, Kovalan who was wrongly penalized to death for theft visited
this village before his death. There is a place called “Kovalan Pottal” near
TVS Nagar which is supposed to be the place where he was put to death.
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Kasi Viswanathar. Lord Shiva is in the form of air in
Kalahasthi, so in the Palanganatham
temple as the flame of the lamp in goddess sanctorum is ever shaking. The rays
of sun fall on the lord here during the period from April 5 to May 5 between
6.35 and 7.15 a.m. and again from September 5 to October 5 from 6.40 to 7.15
a.m.
Mother
is called as Visalakshi. Goddess Visalakshi is in a standing position on the
stage (Avudayar) of the Linga and is known as Muppeeda Nayaki. Those
worshipping Kasi Viswanatha and Visalakshi are bound to enjoy a happy marital
life.
Lord
Shiva here is facing south as Dakshinamurthy with Japamala in the right hand,
palm leaf in the left hand, Ganga in the head, the snake in the upper right
hand and fire in the upper left hand while the seven Rishis (Saptha Rishis)
standing before him. He is clad in tiger skin.
Though
we find either Vishnu Durga or Shiva Durga in temples, it is Kanakadurga in
this temple. People perform Poojas to Kanakadurga with yellow flowers during
the Rahukala time on Tuesdays and Fridays (3.00 to 4.30 p.m) on Tuesdays and
10.30 to 12.00 a.m. on Fridays) for relief from debt burdens. They are blessed
with wealth, believe he devotees.
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple
remains open from 05.30 a.m. to 08.30 a.m. and 06.00 p.m. to 08.30 p.m.
Festivals
Maha Sivarathiri
is the festival celebrated here with much fanfare.
Prayers
Lord
Shiva is in the form of air in Kalahasthi, so in the Palanganatham temple as the flame of the lamp in goddess sanctorum
is ever shaking. Also, Patanjali is the ruler for Rahu and Ketu. Those
afflicted by the disadvantageous aspects of Rahu and Ketu are advised to
worship Patanjali. Couple separated from each other gets united if they worship
him with jasmine garlands. Devotees perform abishek, archanas and offer vastras
to Lord and Mother. Devotees also offer things to Patanjali equal to their
weight, called Tulabaram. Those aspiring to perform yoga and meditation may sit
under the Vilwa tree here facing north and they are sure to have enlightenment.
They develop memory power, progress in education and aspire for wisdom. Yoga
classes are conducted here each Sunday.
Contact
Kasi
Viswanathar Temple,
Palanganatham, Madurai –
625 003
Phone: +91 452 237 1909
Mobile: +91 97895 98380 / 90438 46451
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 700 meters from Palanganatham Bus Stop, 750 meters
from Jeyam Theater Bus Stop, 850 meters from Vasantha Nagar Bus Stop, 4 Kms
from Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 3 Kms from Koodal Azhagar Temple, 3 Kms
from Periyar Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 4 Kms
from Madurai Railway Junction, 5 Kms from Thiruparankundram and 13 Kms from
Madurai International Airport. Town buses are available from Periyar Bus Stand
and from Mattuthavani Bus Stand.
Location
