Palaganatham Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Madurai

Address

Palaganatham Kasi Viswanathar Temple,

Palaganatham,

Madurai District – 625003.

Moolavar

Kasi Viswanathar

Amman

Visalakshi

Introduction

The Kasi Viswanathar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Palanganatham, Madurai City, within the Madurai District of Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is known as Kasi Viswanathar, while the divine mother is called Visalakshi. This temple is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams of Madurai and is revered as the Kalahasthi Temple of Madurai.

Puranic Significance 

Lord Vishnu gave his sister, Goddess Meenakshi, in marriage to Lord Sundareswarar, with Lord Brahma officiating the sacred ceremony. Among the fortunate sages who witnessed this divine wedding were Maharishis Patanjali and Vyakrapada. These sages followed a strict practice of having their meals only after witnessing Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance at Chidambaram’s Ponnambalam. Since they were in Madurai for the wedding, Lord Shiva manifested the Ponnambalam there and performed his celestial dance. Overwhelmed with devotion, the sages watched the divine performance and then had their meal.

Following this, Sage Patanjali sat in deep meditation under a tree. Inspired by his devotion, Pandya King Sadaya Vikrama Pandian, who had a deep longing to worship Kasi Viswanatha daily, built a temple at this site, as visiting Kasi every day was not feasible. He attained salvation through his devotion.

The presiding deity in this temple is in a reclining posture. According to tradition, Shiva Lingas are categorized based on their size and posture—tall and large Lingas are considered standing, medium-sized ones are seated, and smaller ones are in a reclining position.

Beliefs

In Kalahasthi, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of air, and a similar divine presence is observed at the Palanganatham temple, where the flame of the lamp in the sanctum of the Goddess continuously flickers.

Sage Patanjali, revered as the ruler of Rahu and Ketu, is worshipped here for relief from the adverse effects of these planetary influences. Devotees facing challenges due to Rahu and Ketu are advised to seek his blessings. It is believed that couples who have been separated can reunite by offering jasmine garlands to Patanjali with devotion.

Devotees perform abhishekam, archana, and offer vastras (clothes) to Lord Kasi Viswanathar and Goddess Visalakshi as acts of devotion. Additionally, a special ritual known as Tulabaram is performed, where devotees offer items equal to their body weight to Patanjali as an expression of gratitude and devotion.

Those aspiring to practice yoga and meditation are encouraged to sit under the sacred Vilwa tree facing north. It is believed that meditating here leads to spiritual enlightenment, enhances memory power, fosters academic success, and cultivates wisdom. To support spiritual seekers, yoga classes are conducted at the temple every Sunday.

Special Features

The presiding deity of this temple is Kasi Viswanathar. Similar to how Lord Shiva manifests as the element of air in Kalahasthi, his presence here is symbolized by the ever-flickering flame of the lamp in the sanctum of the Goddess. A remarkable phenomenon occurs at this temple, where the rays of the sun fall directly on the deity twice a year—from April 5 to May 5 between 6:35 and 7:15 a.m., and from September 5 to October 5 between 6:40 and 7:15 a.m.

Lord Shiva here faces south in the form of Dakshinamurthy, holding a Japamala in his right hand, a palm leaf in his left, the Ganga in his matted hair, a snake in his upper right hand, and fire in his upper left hand. Before him stand the seven great sages, the Saptha Rishis, while he is adorned in a tiger skin.

Unlike most temples where either Vishnu Durga or Shiva Durga is worshipped, this temple uniquely houses Kanakadurga. Devotees perform special poojas for Kanakadurga using yellow flowers during Rahu Kalam to seek relief from financial burdens. The rituals are observed on Tuesdays from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., as it is believed that she blesses devotees with prosperity.

The divine mother of the temple, Goddess Visalakshi, stands gracefully on the Avudayar (base) of the Shiva Lingam and is revered as Muppeeda Nayaki. It is believed that those who worship Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi together will be blessed with a harmonious and fulfilling marital life.

Festivals

Maha Sivarathiri

Century/Period

800 Years Old

Nearest Bus Station

Palaganatham

Nearest Railway Station

Madurai

Nearest Airport

Madurai

Location on Map

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