Kasi Viswanathar Temple,
Adhanakkottai – History
This temple is believed to be
built by Chola Emperor Kulothunga Chola III. Lord Shiva of this temple was
called as Kulottungesvara after the Chola Emperor Kulothunga Chola III. It is
said that the battle between Hyder Ali and Thondaimans was fought here. Hyder
Ali overran the Tamil country during 1780-81 CE. Hyder Ali entered the
territory of Thondaimans after capturing Thanjavur.
It is said that a Brahmin
person named Gandhara from this village kept the invaders at bay due to a
cunning strategy devised by him. He spoke to the commander of the Hyder Ali
forces and invited him & his army for a grand feast. The commander readily
accepted for the feast as his army was already exhausted due to the wars. Thondaiman
army surrounded the Hyder Ali forces during the feast. Sensing the grave
situation, the commander of the Hyder Ali forces ordered his forces to retreat.
The Hyder Ali forces returned
after a few days, but this time Thondaiman forces were well prepared and
resisted the invasion. During the battle, a man hidden in the hollow trunk of a
tree shot the commander of the Hyder Ali forces effectively killing him. Thus,
Hyder Ali was defeated in this battlefield. The Thondaiman ruler was joyous
from the outcome of the war and gifted this village to the Brahmins as
Brahmadeyam.
