Thursday, August 23, 2018

Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Thiruparankundram, Madurai

Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Thiruparankundram, Madurai
Kasi Viswanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruparankundram at outskirts of Madurai City in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu. This temple is situated at 1050 feet height above the sea level on the top of Thiruparankundram Hill. Presiding Diety is called as Kasi Viswanathar and Mother is called as Visalakshi.



Legends
Once up on a time a booth called Karki Muni got a boon from Lord Shiva to live without death, after killing 1000 Sages. Karki muni managed to keep 999 sages in the cave of a relief. When Nakkeerar came that side and was doing pooja to Shiva under a banyan tree. The Karki Muni diverted his attention through a banyan leaf on the shore of the Saravana Poikai. – one half as bird and other half as fish. Since the attention was diverted, his pooja to lord Shiva was not completed. So Nakkeerar was also put in the cave.



Before killing all, Nakkeerar sung the hymns of Tirumurugattrupadai. Lord Murugan appeared and saved all sages. To get rid of the sin, caused due to this incident Nakkeerar want to take bath in Ganges. Lord Muruga created a pond on the (Panchatcharam parai) hill through his Vel and the Ganges water flowed in it. In remembrance of this incident local villagers worship the Vel, on Puratasi, Friday every year.



The Temple
This temple is situated at 1050 feet height above the sea level on the top of Thiruparankundram Hill. The steps to reach the temple from the downhill were neatly paved. Presiding Diety is called as Kasi Viswanathar and Mother is called as Visalakshi. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are facing West and South respectively. It is believed that one of the 18 Siddhar Sri Macha muni lives in the form of Jeeva Jyothi. The outer space of the Temple is considered as But at the temple a white fish is called as Sri Macha Muni in the pond.



Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 08.30 in the mornings to 05.30 in the evenings.
Prayers
Devotees in large numbers circumambulate the Thiruparankundram hill on full moon day to get the blessings of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that they will attain Moksha by worshipping this lord.
Connectivity
From the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple entrance, if you go about 200 feet in west direction, you can see the steps to this hill Shiva Temple. The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Thiruparankundram Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Thiruparankundram Railway Station, 9 Kms from Madurai, 7 Kms from Madurai Periyar Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Madurai Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 7 Kms from Madurai Railway Junction, 8 Kms from Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 7 Kms from Madurai Koodal Azhagar Temple, 13 Kms from Thirumangalam and 9 Kms from Madurai Airport.
There is a bus stand with bus services connecting Thiruparankundram with other parts of Madurai and adjacent villages. Buses are available from Madurai Periyar Bus Stand. All the buses moving from Periyar Bus Stand to Thirumangalam go through Thiruparankundram. Frequent bus services are available from in and around Madurai. Route Nos. 5, 14, 22, 48, 49 and 52 from Periyar bus stand & Mattuthavani Bus stand covers Tiruparankundram. Also, Mofussil buses heading towards Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli crosses here which seldom stops.
Thiruparankundram railway station is 6 Kms from Madurai Junction. Tiruparankundram Railway Station is in between Madurai and Thirumangalam railway stations, on the Chennai – Kanyakumari railway track. All passenger Trains running between Madurai and Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kollam stops at Tiruparankundram. Also, Tuticorin – Mysore Express stops here. Nearest Airport is Madurai Airport.