Kottupalayam Kashi Viswanathar Shiva Temple, Mayiladuthurai

Address

Kottupalayam, Tharangambadi circle,

Mayiladuthurai District,

Tamil Nadu 609313

Moolavar

Kashi Viswanathar

Amman

Kashi Vishalaksi

Introduction

Kottupalayam Kashi Viswanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Kottupalayam village, Tharangambadi circle, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. Kottupalayam is a small village; they are Thillaiyadi, Devanur, Poraiyar, Kottupalayam, Olugaimangalam. Lingas of the same model were installed in all these five cities. These are called Panjalingams. Here the presiding deity is called as Viswanathar and Mother is called as Vishalakshi. It is believed that these temples are equivalent to Kasi and whoever worships these five temples in one day will get the benefits of Kasi.

Puranic Significance

The Temple is believed to be 800 years old. This east facing temple has been flooded in recent years. The facade has an entrance gate with a golden canopy. Then there is the tall flagpole and Nandi Mandapam.

The Lord Kashi Vishwanath is towards the East and Vishalakshi is towards the South side of the sanctum. A long hall connects both the sanctuaries. Among the Karurai Kothams are Tenmugan, Lingodbhava and Brahma durgai. In the west there are separate temples for Vinayagar, Perumal, Murugan, Ayyappan, Saraswati and Mahalakshmi. Sundasardani has a shrine, Navagrahas and Bhairav Sun shrines are in the north-east of the temple.