Kasi Vishwanath Temple Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu

07/12/2022 Indrani Ghose

My unexpected trip plan to Kollam had me halting at Tenkasi for a day. While exploring the possibilities for interesting things to do in Tenkasi, the Kasi Viswanathar Temple figured as the must visit temple in Tenkasi. After all, it was because of this temple the place got the name Tenkasi.

Before I describe my visit to Kasi Vishwanath Temple in Tenkasi let me explain where Kasi is and why is Kasi famous?

Today what we know as Kasi is the city of Varanasi on the banks of Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, north India. The land of Kashi has always been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

In the Mahabharata the city is referred to as Kāśī (काशी: Kashi) which in Sanskrit means “to shine”, making Varanasi known as “City of Light”, the “luminous city as an eminent seat of learning”. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. The Vishwanath Mandir in Varanasi attracts thousands of devotees from all over India every year for ages.

Gopuram of Kasi Vishwanath Temple Tenkasi

History of Kasi Vishwanath Temple Tenkasi

A similar famous Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva was missing in south India. People from the south would undertake the pilgrimage to the north just to pray in this temple. Around 14^th century, a king called Parakrama Pandyan of Pandya dynasty, prepared to set off on such a pilgrimage to Kashi. He ruled in the region around the place that we call Tenkasi today.

However, the night before the king, a staunch devotee of God Shiva, was to set out on the long journey, Bhagwan Shiva appeared in his dreams. God asked him to construct a temple in Tenkasi. He asked the king to follow an ant’s procession that would lead to discovery of lingam that is to be worshiped in the temple. Pandyan followed the instructions he received in his dreams, followed the army of ants he sighted the next day till their ant hill. Here, he stumbled on the lingam, a Suyambulinga (self manifested linga) on the banks of Chitraru River.

Pillared Hall

Sculpture in pillared hall

A temple was made for the lingam. This is the Kasi Vishwanathar Kovil of Tenkasi. It is believed an underground tunnel connects this temple to Kasi in the north. Over time the place became popular as Tenkasi – the Kasi of South (ten in Tamil means south). This is the Story of the Origin of Tenkasi Sivan Kovil.

Inscriptions in Temple

Stone inscriptions found inside the temple state that Tenkasi was established by the King Parakrama Pandyan in 1445. Tenkasi was a part of Madurai region during the 16th century.

On the west and south walls of the mandapa in front of the central shrine in Vishwanadaswamy Temple at Tenkasi is record of the Pandya King, Vira Pandya Deva dated 1462 AD registering the gift of houses and shares in the village of Vira Pandya Chaturvedimangalam to 24 Brahmanas for reciting the Vedas, reading Panchanga (Indian lunar calendar) and Puranas.

In 1559, under the Nayaks, Madurai became independent from Vijayanagar Empire and the temple started receiving gifts from the rulers of the dynasty.

Architecture of Kasi Vishwanath Temple Tenkasi

The temple is constructed in Dravidian architectural style with a magnificent 180 ft. tall, seven-tiered Gopuram (entrance tower), a joy to explore. The temple had a flat tower till 1967. The present 180-foot temple tower was completed in 1990.

Pause for a while at the entrance to feel gentle breeze flowing across. This is an architectural marvel of the temple. Stepping into the temple premises one is greeted with the sight of vast open areas and shrines dotting the land.

Crossing that you will enter a pillared hall with sculptures; the sight of columns of Virabhadra holding sword and horn will stop you on your tracks. Photography is permitted here. Proceed to dhwaja stambh (flagstaff) hall which has a Nandi statue made of black granite covered with white cloth.

Inside the sanctum, the swyambhu lingam is decorated beautifully with flowers. Since photography isn’t allowed I stared wide eyed trying to devour visually every detail possible. With folded hands I stood there praying for a while, thankfully there was no rush at 6.30 in the morning. The place gets crowded during rituals and festival days.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva worshipped as Kasi Viswanathar and his consort Goddess Parvathi as Ulagamman. Other names are Arulmigu Tenkasi Sivan Temple, Ulagamman Kasi Vishwanatha Kovil.

Other Gods and Goddesses worshiped here are:

Idols of Vinayaka (Ganesh) and Subramanya(Murugan) located on either side of the hall leading to the sanctum. The shrine of Sivakami is located parallel to the sanctum facing East.

There are smaller shrines of Dakshinamurthy, Arumugar, Durga, Navagrahas and Nataraja in the precinct around the shrines of Kasi Viswanatha and Visalakshi.

Today the temple is maintained by Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of Government of Tamil Nadu.

Interesting Facts about the Temple

The three sacred features of the temple are: the idol itself, The idol here is Swyambhumurthi – the self manifested one, the holy aura of the place and the holy water of the temple.

A Champaca (shenbagam) tree adds to the holy aura of the place.

Goddess Durga faces south in almost all temples, in Kasi Vishwanathar temple She faces west direction.

The deity, Kasi Vishwanath, is visible to devotees even from a distance of one km.

There is a statue of Prakrama Pandyan inside the sanctorum.

Revered sages Narada, Agastya, Mrikandu had offered their prayers to God Kasinath here. It is also believed that Vaali and Nandi too had worshiped God Shiva here.

Shrine in Kasi Vishwanathar kovil tenkasi

Rituals and Festivals in the Temple

For spiritually inclined visitors to the temple here is a list of rituals and festivals

Dedicated to God Shiva, hence the temple follows Shaivite tradition.

Rituals

Temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a day:

Kalasanthi at 8.30 AM
Uchikalam at 11.30 AM
Sayarakshai at 5.30 PM
Aravanai Pooja between 8PM and 9 PM.

There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. There are various festivals celebrated in the temple.

Festivals in Kasi Vishwanath Temple Tenkasi

The Masi Magam festival during the Tamil month of Masi (February – March) is the most prominent festival celebrated in the temple.
Tirukalyanam festival during Aipassi (October – November)
Moola festival during Aavani (August – September)
Navarathri, Karthikai festival, Thiruvathirai, Thaipoosam, Sivarathri, Panguni Uthiram are the other festivals celebrated in the temple.

Open Timings – 6 AM to 11 AM and 4 PM to 8 PM. On new moon days and festival days the temple is open the whole day.

Tickets – No tickets are required to enter the temple. However if you wish you can pay at a specific counter there to offer special prayers and offerings. After which you will get the prasadam (bhog). Vastra (sarees) are offered to the Goddess here as abhishek (thanksgiving).

Dress code – No bare shoulders and above the knee clothes for women. Footwear is not allowed inside. There is a specific place where you can place your footwear for safekeeping.

Where to stay in Tenkasi

For luxury and high budget options do check out The Kuttalam Heritage. Saaral Resort is good option for mid budget stay options. There are many budget options hotels too. Finding a place to stay in Tenkasi is easy, but try and do advance bookings if you plan to visit during festivals.

Is Tenkasi a safe place for tourists

Even though my stay in Tenkasi was just for day I can safe I felt quite safe in Tenkasi. But then it is always good to be cautious and not trust strangers in foreign land. Always keep your near and dear ones informed of your movements.