Keel Ambur Sri Visalakshi-Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Thirunelveli

Address

Keel Ambur Sri Visalakshi-Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Thirunelveli

Anbu Nagar, Keel Ambur (Snehapuri),

Ambasamudram,

Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu – 627418

Phone: +91 9894648170

Moolavar

Kasi Viswanathar

Amman

Sri Visalakshi                        

Introduction

• Location: The Kasi Viswanathar Temple is located in Anbu Nagar, Keel Ambur (Snehapuri) near Ambasamudram in Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.
• Presiding Deity: Kasi Viswanathar (Lord Shiva)
• Mother Deity: Visalakshi
• Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vilwa Tree
• Transportation: Bus facilities are available. The temple is about 37 km from Tenkasi.

Puranic Significance:

• The temple’s origin is tied to the story of a couple, Kasi Viswanathan and Visalakshi, who had a son named Madanarajan. Their family faced financial decline after a prosperous life.
• Rajangam and Pandi Thurai, two of their eight sons, began working as woodcutters near Trishul Hill. One day, while resting under a banyan tree near Athiyuthu, a lightning strike hit the tree, revealing a Shivalinga and Ambica (goddess) from its roots.
• These divine manifestations granted the brothers a prosperous future. Upon moving the Shivalinga, they discovered seven bowls filled with gold coins.
• The brothers took the Shivalinga and the bowls of gold to their home, and later divided the gold among themselves. With the riches from the ninth bowl, they built a temple dedicated to Lord Kasi Viswanathar and Mother Visalakshi.

Beliefs:

• Devotees visit the temple to seek blessings from Lord Kasi Viswanathar and Mother Visalakshi. They offer prayers, Abishekam (ritual bathing), and Vastras (clothing) to the deities.

Special Features:

• Presiding Deity: Kasi Viswanathar (Lord Shiva)
• Mother Deity: Visalakshi
• Sthala Vriksham: Vilwa Tree
• Temple Architecture:
  • The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva faces east, and that of Mother Visalakshi faces south.
  • As is customary in Shiva temples, Nandi (the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva) is situated in front of the sanctum.
  • The temple has an Abishekam Well, used for the holy bathing rituals.
• Sun Rays: The rays of the sun fall on the Presiding Deity (Lord Kasi Viswanathar), Lord Ganapathy in the Kanni Moola corner, and Lord Muruga during the Utharayana Punya Kala (between 5:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. in the Tamil month of Thai, January-February).
• The temple is believed to be 1500 years old.
• Theerthavari: A significant ritual celebrated on Thaipoosam day, when Lord Shiva and Mother Visalakshi grant darshan to devotees on the banks of the Kadana River, followed by a grand procession.

Festivals:

• Monthly Pradoshams: Observed every month.
• Navarathri: Celebrated in September-October.
• Thai Poosam: Celebrated in January-February.

Century/Period

1500 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Keel Ambur

Nearest Railway Station

Ambasamudram

Nearest Airport

Madurai

Location on Map

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