Keela Chintamani Kasi Viswanathar Temple - Trichy

Address

Keela Chintamani Kasi Viswanathar Temple – Trichy

Anna Salai, East Chinthamani,

Trichy district,

Tamil Nadu 620002

Moolavar

Kasi Viswanathar

Amman

Visalakshi.

Introduction

Kasi Viswanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Keela Chintamani locality in Trichy City in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kasi Viswanathar and Mother is called as Visalakshi. The Temple is situated in Big Bazar Street in Trichy City. The Temple is located at about 2.5 Kms from Trichy Fort Railway Station and 10 Kms from Trichy Airport.

Puranic Significance

It is a known story that Vibheeshana, brother of Ravana failed in his attempts to persuade Ravana to hand over Sita to Lord Rama. Committed to Dharma in his life, Vibheeshana left Ravana and joined Lord Rama in his war against Ravana. The monkey army behind Rama could not stand the onslaught of Indrajit, son of Ravana who demonstrated high degree of war skills and fell fainted. Many thought that the situation could be managed only if the Athma Linga in Kasi brought to the battlefield. Vibheeshana went to Kasi and was returning with the Athma Linga. On his way, he placed the Linga on earth to worship Lord Vinayaka in the Uchi Pillayar temple in Trichy. He could not lift the Linga from the Earth then, built a temple on the banks of Cauvery and returned. This is the story behind this Temple. As the temple is on the banks of Cauvery, during floods, temple had been washed away. Thus, history of the temple was lost completely. Even now, the side wall of the temple is built inside the river, during floods; water will be dashing against the temple wall. The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old.

Beliefs

People pray here for removal of obstacles in marriage alliances, for child boon and a distinction in education. Devotees execute their prayer commitment by performing abishek to the Lord and Mother with new clothing.

Special Features

Presiding Deity is called as Kasi Viswanathar and Mother is called as Visalakshi. The reputation of Kasi Viswanathar temple on the banks of Cauvery is in its having five Shivalingas making it a Panchalinga temple and a separate shrine for the holy Ganga. The temple is known as Panchalinga temple as it has five Lingas – Kasi Viswanathar-Visalakshi; Vaidyanathar-Thaiyalnayaki; Ekambareswarar-Kanchi Kamakshi; Meenakshi-Sundareswarar and Jambukeswarar-Akilandeswari. Probably, this is the only temple with five Lords and Five Mother. The side wall of the temple is built inside the river; water is dashing against the temple wall. The sanctum sanctorum housing the Lord Kasi Viswanathar and Mother Visalakshi measures just 5 x 3 feet only. The priests have to enter the sanctum sanctorum with difficulty. Devotees have to bend to L shape to have the Lord’s darshan. The philosophy is that however great and tall is men in society; they have but to bend before God. Tall people cannot worship the Lord in the temple. There is a special shrine for the Holy Ganga. Shrines for Navagrahas (9 planets), Lord Mahavishnu, Mother Durga are recently added.

Festivals

Chitra Poornima in April-May, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Navarathri during September- October, Deepavali in October-November, Thai Poosam in January-February and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated grandly with special pujas.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/09/kasi-viswanathar-temple-keela-chintamani-trichy.html