Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Palanganatham, Madurai

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