Kasi Vishwanathar Temple

Overview

The Kasi Viswanathar is located in Kasi Viswanathar Koil Street, West Mambalam, Chennai. The temple is very near to the T. Nagar bus terminus.

About The Temple

The temple was renovated as some part of the shrine was dilapidated. The renovation work was started in 2003 while the Kumbabhishek was performed recently. The Rajagopuram of the temple lies in the eastern entrance of the temple which is a majestic seven tiered structure. Next to it is the dwajasthambha, and the Nandi Deva The roof of the shrine is well crafted with beautiful paintings and images of God.

The main sanctum houses the Shiva Linga of Lord Shiva who graces here as Kasi Viswanatha facing the east. There is a small Nandi statue in front of the sanctum. To the right of the main sanctum is the sannidhi of Lord Vinayaka. Next to that is Lord Muruga along with his consorts Valli and Devyani. Next on the line is the sannidhi of Mother Visalakshi who looks kind and graceful.

The prahara (precinct) containing these sannidhis is quite spacious and enables the devotees to comfortably get darshan of deities. There is also a Vasantha mandap and a Navagraha mandap within the temple complex. Beautiful figures of Nandi Dev are made in the surrounding walls of the temple.

Legend and Stories

Around 400 years ago, the locality of West Mambalam was merely a small village hamlet with enormous vilwa trees. The place was then called the Mahabilam which over the years colloquially became Mambalam. A Swayambu lingam is believed to have appeared in the area for which the local residents built a temple.Researchers are of the opinion that the temple might have been built by a Nayakka king of Vijayanagar Empire. Lord Shiva is said to have appeared in the dream of a Nayakka king, after he worshipped the deity Vishwanathar at Kasi. The deity had instructed the king to build a temple in south India. Thus the king built the renowned Kasi Viswanatha temple at Tenkasi. According to Sthala Purana the temple at Mambalam, Chennai was also built sometime during the same period by the Nayakka king. Usually the temples built by the Nayakkas carry a fish emblem. This temple at Mambalam too has figures of fishes on the roof. This stands as a proof that the temple was indeed built by a Nayakka king.

Festivals

The Maha Sivarathri and the Arudra dharisanam are the two major festivals celebrated in this temple with much joy and devotion. The auspicious occasion of Pradosham is also celebrated here every month

Pooja Timing

Pooja Timings
Kaala Shanthi Pooja	8.00 a.m.
Sayaratchai Pooja	5.30 p.m.

How To Reach Arulmigu Kasi Viswanathar Temple, West Mambalam

Airport

The nearest located Airport is the Chennai International Airport.

Railways

The nearest Railway Station is the Mambalam station which is 1/2 km from the temple.

Road

The temple is hardly a kilometer away from the T. Nagar bus terminus. The Koyambedu main bus stand us about 7 km from where Bus No : 27C,27M are available to Thiagaraya Nagar (T.Nagar) bus standm

Temple Address

Arulmigu Kasi Viswanathar Temple,
Eswaran Koil Street,
West Mambalam,
Chennai - 600 033.