Achuthamangalam Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Achuthamangalam Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple,

Achuthamangalam,

Thiruvarur District,

TamilNadu- – 610105.

Deity

Sri Kasi Viswanathar

Amman: Visalakshi.

Introduction

• Location: Achuthamangalam Village, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu
• Deity:
  • Presiding Deity: Kasi Viswanathar (Lord Shiva)
  • Mother: Visalakshi
• Significant Features:
  • Theertham: Gupta Ganga
• Age: Believed to be 1,000 years old
• Accessibility:
  • Distances: About 3 km from Srivanchiyam, 20 km from Thiruvarur, and 120 km from Trichy
  • Nearest Railway Station: Nannilam
  • Nearest Airport: Trichy

History

Harichandra’s Stay

• King Harichandra: A symbol of truth and integrity, he lost his kingdom, wife, and son for his commitment to honesty. During his wanderings, he arrived in this region filled with Iluppai trees, where he discovered a Shivalinga.
• Significance of the Shivalinga: Overjoyed, he performed abishek and offered Vilwa leaves in worship. In deep meditation, he sensed the profound grace of this Linga, believing it to be brought from Kasi and bathed in the Holy Ganga.
• Transformation: Realizing that worshipping the Kasi Viswanatha Linga could absolve one of past sins, he embraced this divine experience, marking Achuthamangalam as a sacred site.

Achuthamangalam

• Historical Connection: This site is also significant as it was where the Pandavas stayed during their exile after losing everything in the court of King Dhritarashtra. They maintained their faith and worshipped Lord Shiva at the nearby Darmeswarar Temple.
• Etymology: Originally named Arjuna Mangalam due to Arjuna’s stay, it was later renamed Achutha Mangalam.

Beliefs

• Divine Presence: The temple is regarded as a place of immense spiritual energy, where the faithful can seek solace and forgiveness.
• Historical Events: The narratives of King Harichandra and the Pandavas enhance the temple’s sanctity, drawing devotees seeking truth and righteousness.

Festivals

• Major Celebrations:
  • The temple celebrates all major Shiva-related festivals, with particular enthusiasm for Masi Magam and Mahashivrathri.
• Celebration Atmosphere: These festivals are marked by elaborate rituals, prayers, and community participation, fostering a vibrant spiritual environment.

Century/Period/Age

1000 years old

Nearest Bus Station

Achuthamangalam

Nearest Railway Station

Nannilam Station

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Address

Purasaiwakkam Sri Pathala Ponniyamman Temple – Chennai

Kilpauk Garden Road, Kilpauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600010

Amman

Sri Pathala Ponniyamman

Introduction

Pathala Ponniamman Temple is an Amman temple located in the neighbourhood of Kilpauk in Chennai district of Tamil Nadu in India. This temple is under the control of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.^[1] Since the temple is located near the border of Purasawalkam and Kilpauk, it is also called as ‘Purasawalkam Pathala Ponniamman temple’. This temple’s main deity goddess is the ‘family deity’ of about one lakh families of Chennai and its surrounding areas. Mostly women deities dominate worshipping this temple. ‘Thirukkaappu pooja’ is performed here at this temple daily in between 6:15 a.m. and 6:45 a.m.

Puranic Significance 

Chennappa Nayak belonging to Vijayanagara Empire ruled Madras (nowadays called as ‘Chennai’) 350 years ago. During his reign, the British, who had come here to do businesses, acquired land in the Purasawalkam area (nowadays ‘Kilpauk area’) on lease, for the purpose of agriculture. The area was filled with mango trees and flowering plants. For irrigation, needed plenty of water. So, the British officials ordered to dig a well as a source of water. During digging below a depth of about 30 feet, a big stone of obstacle was found. While removing it from the underground, it was found as a stone image of a deity goddess and also found along with it was an idol of deity goddess, made of ‘Panchloha’ (five metals). People surrounding that area worshipped the two, performed poojas, abhisheks, aradhanas, etc. Later, the stone image was established and consecrated as the main deity goddess with the name ‘Pathala Ponniamman’ and the Panchloha idol as the utsav deity goddess as ‘Utsav Pathala Ponniamman’.

Special Features

Maha Vishnu, Shiva, Parvathi, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Vinayagar, Brahma, Durga, Narthaba Ganapathy, Murugan, Hanuman, Navagrahas, Kaala Bhairava, Naagars, Annanmaar and seven soldiers named as ‘Parivaar deities’ are the other important deities found in this temple.

Century/Period

500 Years Old

Nearest Bus Station

Purasaiwakkam

Nearest Railway Station

Egmore

Nearest Airport

Chennai

Location on Map

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