Kasi Viswanathar Temple,
Cholapuram, Thanjavur
Kasi Viswanathar Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Cholapuram near Kumbakonam
Town in Thanjavur District in Tamil
Nadu. This is an ancient Chola Temple dating back to medieval
Cholas.
The
Temple
The Temple is in complete ruins.
The Temple is built with granites except the brick Vimana. Presiding Deity is
called as Kasi Viswanathar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
The sanctum sanctorum consists of Mukha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum.
Only sanctum and Artha Mandapam survives. Mukha Mandapam is in ruins. There are
Koshta Idols on the Koshta around the sanctum walls.
There is an idol of Lord Murugan
seated on Elephant can be found on the Koshta of Vimanam. He is called as Gaja
Vahanar / Gajaruthar. Elephant is also considered as one of the Vahana of Lord
Murugan. His Elephant is called as Pini Mugam. He is having four hands. Two
hands holding Vajrayudha & Cock in his two hands and Other two hands
showing Varada and Hasta Mudra. This
Type of depiction of Murugan can be found only in olden Temples.
There are two idols of big
Bhooda Ganas blowing conch can be found at the entrance of the sanctum. Idol of
Vinayaga and many other broken idols can be found in the temple premises. There
are sculptures of Lion, Bhoodagana, a King and a Bhoodagana blowing conch can
be found on the sanctum wall. There is an ancient big Chandikeswarar Idol in
the temple premises.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 6
Kms from Thirupananthal, 8 Kms from Thiruvisanallur, 10 Kms from Thirubhuvanam,
10 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur, 11 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur Railway Station,
13 Kms from Kumbakonam, 14 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 14 Kms from
Kumbakonam Railway Station, 50 Kms from Thanjavur and 104 Kms from Trichy Airport.
The Temple is situated on Kumbakonam to Chennai Road. The Temple is well
connected to Kumbakonam by buses.