Ayanavaram Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Chennai

Address

Ayanavaram, Chennai district,

Tamil Nadu 600023

Moolavar

Kasi Viswanathar

Amman

Kasi Visalakshi

Introduction

The Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Ayanavaram, Chennai, is a significant place of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Puranic Significance

Presiding Deity: The main deity of the temple is known as Kasi Viswanathar, representing Lord Shiva.

Mother Goddess: The temple also houses a shrine dedicated to the Mother Goddess, known as Kasi Visalakshi.

Historical Significance:

The temple was constructed by the Tawker clan of the Gujarati community in Madras (Chennai) during the time of the East India Company, making it historically significant.
It is believed that the temple was built around 300 years ago, with the primary impetus coming from two Gujarati sisters, Ramkor Bai and Ratna Bai, who were wealthy and had brought two Shiva Lingas from their pilgrimage to Varanasi.

Historical Background:

The Tawker clan, of Gujarati origin, moved to South India and established their base in Trichy in the 1700s. Their connection to the historic town of the Rock Fort is evident in the fact that most members of this community used “T” as their initial.

The Sisters and the Shiva Lingas:

The two Gujarati women from the Tawker clan, Ramkor Bai and Ratna Bai, played a pivotal role in the temple’s establishment. They were known to be wealthy and had even lent money to the East India Company for its cloth trade.
These sisters had been on a pilgrimage to Varanasi and brought back two Shiva Lingas with them. One of the Lingas was enshrined at the Motta Utara on Mint Street, while the other was consecrated on the land they owned in Ayanavaram.

Future Plans:

It is believed that the sisters had plans to build a companion shrine for Lord Vishnu as well, potentially following the model of the Chenna Kesava and Chenna Malleeswarar Temple in George Town, Chennai.

The Kasi Viswanathar Temple stands as a testament to the contributions of the Tawker clan and the devotion of Ramkor Bai and Ratna Bai in establishing this sacred place of worship. It continues to be a place of reverence and spirituality for devotees and visitors alike.

Special Features

Architectural Features:

The temple has a modest tower, a courtyard, several sub-shrines, and a sanctum with two shrines within it, one for Kasi Viswanathar and the other for his consort Visalakshi.
The presence of a sacred tank excavated across the road adds to the spiritual ambiance of the temple.

The Sisters and the Shiva Lingas:

The two Gujarati women from the Tawker clan, Ramkor Bai and Ratna Bai, played a pivotal role in the temple’s establishment. They were known to be wealthy and had even lent money to the East India Company for its cloth trade.
These sisters had been on a pilgrimage to Varanasi and brought back two Shiva Lingas with them. One of the Lingas was enshrined at the Motta Utara on Mint Street, while the other was consecrated on the land they owned in Ayanavaram.