Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Kumbakonam – The Temple
The Temple is facing towards north with five tiered Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram is on the western side and is about 72 feet high. There is a beautiful arch with the sculptures depicting Lord Shiva accompanying the Nava Kannigais to the Mahamaha tank, before the Rajagopuram. The Temple is situated on northern banks of Mahamaha Tank. The Temple covers an area of about 2 acres and has two prakarams.
Nandi, Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be found immediately after the entrance. Kodimara Vinayagar can be found in the Dhwaja Sthambam. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Kasi Viswanathar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Murthy.
Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Durga and Brahma are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar can be found in his usual location. The significant feature in the temple is that Mother Durga is facing Lord Chandikeswarar. Mother is called as Visalakshi. Mother Shrine is situated to the right side of Sanctum. Navagraha Shrine is situated on the left side in Mukha Mandapam.
Shrines of Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai and Gaja Lakshmi can be found in the right side of Maha Mandapam. Shrines of Somaskanda, Ganapathy and Utsava Idols of Nava Kannigais can be found in the left side of Maha Mandapam. Nava Kannigais shrine houses the idols of Nava Kannigais namely Ganges, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswathi, Cauvery, Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra and Sarayu. The Shrine is situated in the Maha Mandapam.
Palliayarai (Sleeping Chamber) and Nataraja Shrine can be found immediately after the Nava Kannigai Shrine. The Lingam worshipped by Lord Rama is located in the north eastern side of outer prakaram of the temple. It is called as Kshetra Linga. It is installed under a Neem tree. The lingam is believed to grow with time.
Usually Lord Vinayaka or Ambika idols are under the neem tree as a tradition. It is different in this temple. Shrines of Saptha Mathas, Bhairava, Sun, Moon, Saneeswarar, Jyeshta Devi, and Anjaneya can be found in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this Temple is Mahamaha Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam tree.