Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Keela Chintamani, Trichy
Kasi Viswanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated
to Lord Shiva located at Keela Chintamani locality in Trichy City in Trichy
District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kasi Viswanathar and Mother
is called as Visalakshi.
Legends
It is a known story that Vibheeshana, brother of
Ravana failed in his attempts to persuade Ravana to hand over Sita to Lord
Rama. Committed to Dharma in his life, Vibheeshana left Ravana and joined Lord Rama
in his war against Ravana. The monkey army behind Rama could not stand the
onslaught of Indrajit, son of Ravana who demonstrated high degree of war skills
and fell fainted. Many thought that the situation could be managed only if the Athma
Linga in Kasi brought to the battlefield. Vibheeshana went to Kasi and was returning
with the Athma Linga.
On his way, he placed the Linga on earth to worship
Lord Vinayaka in the Uchi Pillayar temple in Trichy. He could not lift the
Linga from the Earth then, built a temple on the banks of Cauvery and returned.
This is the story behind this Temple. As the temple is on the banks of Cauvery,
during floods, temple had been washed away. Thus, history of the temple was
lost completely. Even now, the side wall of the temple is built inside the
river, during floods, water will be dashing against the temple wall.
The
Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Kasi Viswanathar and
Mother is called as Visalakshi. The reputation of Kasi Viswanathar temple on
the banks of Cauvery is in its having five Shivalingas making it a Panchalinga
temple and a separate shrine for the holy Ganga. The temple is known as
Panchalinga temple as it has five Lingas – Kasi Viswanathar-Visalakshi;
Vaidyanathar-Thaiyalnayaki; Ekambareswarar-Kanchi Kamakshi;
Meenakshi-Sundareswarar and Jambukeswarar-Akilandeswari. Probably, this is the
only temple with five Lords and Five Mother. The side wall of the temple is
built inside the river, water is dashing against the temple wall.
The sanctum sanctorum housing the Lord Kasi
Viswanathar and Mother Visalakshi measures just 5 x 3 feet only. The priests
have to enter the sanctum sanctorum with difficulty. Devotees have to bend to L
shape to have the Lord’s darshan. The philosophy is that however great and tall
are men in society, they have but to bend before God. Tall people cannot
worship the Lord in the temple. There is a special shrine for the Holy Ganga.
Shrines for Navagrahas (9 planets), Lord Mahavishnu, Mother Durga are recently
added.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple remains open from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m.
and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Chitra Poornima in April-May, Vaikasi Visakam in
May-June, Navarathri during September-October, Deepavali in October-November,
Thai Poosam in January-February and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the
festivals celebrated grandly with special pujas.
Prayers
People pray here for removal of obstacles in
marriage alliances, for child boon and a distinction in education. Devotees
execute their prayer commitment by performing abishek to the Lord and Mother
with new clothing.
Connectivity
The
Temple is situated in Big Bazar Street in Trichy City. The Temple is located at
about 300 meters from Anna Statue Bus Stop, 750 meters from Trichy Chatiram Bus
Station, 6 Kms from Trichy Railway Station, 2.5 Kms from Trichy Fort Railway Station,
2 Kms from Trichy Town Railway Station, 6 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 3
Kms from Srirangam and 10 Kms from Trichy Airport.
Location
