Kasi Viswanathar Temple is a famous temple located at Konnur High Road, Ayanavaram, Chennai – 600 023, and this wonderful temple was built by the Gujaratis, who belonged to the famous Tawker clan and this temple was constructed during the time of British rule, and this temple is situated just a few metres far away from the Ayanavaram Bus Terminus. Here Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kasi Viswanathar and Ma Parvati is worshipped as Kasi Visalakshi, and the divine appearance of Ma Kasi Visalakshi would attract us very much, since by seeing her deity, we would feel the divine presence of the original Divine mother, Ma Shakti Devi itself!
Apart from the main shrine, few other shrines are located at this temple like Shrines for Kalabhairava, Anajaneyar, Navagraha, Chandra, Surya, Durga, Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma and Mahavishnu. This temple is medium sized, and similar to other Shiva Temples, festivals like Shivaratri, Navaratri, Arudra Darshanam and Pradosham are celebrated in a nice manner. I have visited this temple for several times, since I have been born and brought up in Ayanavaram.
This temple contains great significance similar to the Kasi Viswanathar Temple at Kasi. In his separate Shrine, Lord Kalabhairava safeguards the devotees, and he also acts like the guardian deity for the Ayanavaram people. Those who are unable to visit the Kasi Temple located at the holy Varanasi City, can visit and worship this Kasi Viswanathar Temple at Ayanavaram, and this temple is also considered to be the Southern Kasi Temple. Spiritual discourses also would be held at this temple occasionally, and it is believed that those who visit this temple continuously for twelve consecutive Mondays would get their wishes fulfilled through the grace of the Divine couple.
There is also a famous temple tank located just opposite to the temple in the Konnur High Road Main Road, and in that sacred place, Amavasya Pitru Tharpanam Rituals would be properly done by the Vedic priests at the request of the devotees.
Ayanavaram area is easily accessible from Egmore and Central Railway Station, and lot of bus facilities are also available. Whoever wants to visit Chennai either for personal or business purposes must have to visit this marvellous temple of Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati.
“OM MA KASI VISALAKSHI SAMEDHA KASI VISWANATHAYA NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR