Naduchatram Kashi Viswanathar Temple, Virudhunagar

Address

Naduchatram,

Virudhunagar District,

Tamil Nadu 626201

Moolavar

Naduchatram Kashi Viswanathar Temple, Virudhunagar

Amman

Sri Annapoorani

Introduction

Naduchatram Kashi Viswanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Naduchatram village, Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu. This Kashi Viswanathar-Sri Annapurani temple in this town is celebrated and famous as ‘India’s second temple’. This temple was built by the Pandya kings about 1,300 years ago. Currently, this temple is under the supervision of the Hindu Charities Department. This place is about 22 km away on the road leading from Chatur to Sankaran Kovil.

Puranic Significance

The place where the temple is now was a forest. It is through this forest area that pilgrims from Kanyakumari travel to Kashi to get the blessing of lord Shiva. There is a beautiful water body near the temple. The Pandian kings of this region have designed this temple as in Kashi for the purpose of visiting Kashi. It is customary for those who go to Kasi to stay at this temple and visit Lord Shiva here.

The Pandya kings handed over the management of the temple to the zamindars of Ettayapuram, who were then small land lords. After their time, seven thousand farms became responsible for maintenance. They have protected this temple for several generations. After that, this temple was handed over to Chevalpati Jameen. Finally, it is said that Harichandra Naidu, the elder of this town, was looking after the restoration work of this temple. Currently this temple is under the supervision of Hindu Charities Department.

Beliefs

It is believed that those who worship at this temple will be cured of all diseases and blessed with peace & prosperity.

Special Features

Annapoorani Ambikai is visible towards the south, the vicinity of this Temple. A fish symbol is engraved on the pillars here to prove that it was built by the Pandya kings. The main tree of this temple is the vilva tree.

Another special feature of this temple is that Nandeeswarar, who is opposite to Shiva, has his head tilted with one eye looking at Shiva and the other eye looking at Annapoorani. Also, in the corner of this temple, Pillaiyar is placed in the Vayu corner, and the deity Murugan is placed. Also, there is Bhairav in the left corner. The base of the flagpole on this ground has a design like a lotus flower.

The deities of Perumal, Hanuman and Nagammal are carved on the stone pillars surrounding the temple. Here is Gurubhagava to the left, Sun to the right and Moon to the left, directly opposite to Shiva.

Another highlight of this Temple is that Annapurani Ambigai, Kalabhairava, Chandikeswarar, Nataraja and Kuberasanisvarabhagavan are all facing south.

Festivals

Chitra Poornima in April-May; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Aadi Pooram in July-August; Vinayaka Chathurthi in August-September; Navarathri in September-October; Maha Shivrathri in February-March and Sani Peyarchi-Saturn planet transition days are the festivals celebrated in the temple.