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.