My Temple Visit in Karthigai Month – 1.12.2025
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Jambunathan Iyer
Dec 1, 2025, 11:54:14 PM (10 days ago) Dec 1
to Chittanandam V R, Rama (Iyer 123 Group), ARR, Yeddanapudi Markandeyulu, venkat giri, Rajaram Krishnamurthy, YM - markandeya101091, gopala krishnan, N. Sekar
My Temple Visit in Karthigai Month – 1.12.2025
On this sacred third Somavaram of Karthigai month, I had the blessed opportunity to visit the ancient Sri Kasi Vishwanathar Temple at West Mambalam.
This temple, named after the great Kasi Vishwanath of Varanasi, traces its origins to a Bilva grove nearly 300 years ago. The self-manifested Shiva Lingam discovered here became the heart of devotion, and the temple rose with grandeur, crowned by majestic gopurams and sanctums for Lord Shiva, Goddess Visalakshi, and the 63 Nayanmars.
Sri Kasi Vishwanathar Temple – West Mambalam
The Kasi Vishwanathar Temple in West Mambalam, Chennai, is one of the most revered Shiva temples in the city. According to local tradition, this area was once called Maha Vilvam or Maha Bila Kshetram, from which the name “Mambalam” is said to have originated. The temple began as a small shrine in the 17th century and gradually grew into the majestic structure we see today.
Architecture and Sanctum
• The main eastern entrance on Kuppaiah Street has a seven-tiered Rajagopuram, while the southern entrance on Kasi Vishwanathar Street has a three-tiered gopuram.
• The spacious mandapam in front of the sanctum, though modern, carries the spirit of Vijayanagar-style granite pillars.
• A special pillar depicts Ardhanarishwarar, Garuda, Hanuman (Sanjeevi Rayar), Yoga Narasimha, Pratyankara Devi, Sarabheswara, Sankara Narayana, and Nandishwarar.
• A small stone Nandi faces the sanctum, where the sacred Shiva Lingam is worshipped as Sri Kasi Vishwanathar.
• The devakoshtas (niches) house Nritta Ganapati, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga.
• Nearby, a row of sixty-three Nayanmars inspires devotees with their devotion.
The prakaram (outer enclosure) contains shrines for Vinayaka, Subramanya with consorts, Nataraja, Chandikeswara, Bhairava, Navagraha, and Goddess Visalakshi—the divine consort of Kasi Vishwanathar—whose sanctum faces south.
Festivals and Traditions
The temple celebrates many festivals with grandeur:
• Panguni Brahmotsavam – ten-day annual festival
• Chittirai Pournami – procession for Goddess Visalakshi
• Vaikasi Visakam – procession for Lord Muruga
• Ani Uttiram – special abhishekam for Nataraja
• Aippasi Annabhishekam – ritual offering of cooked rice to Lord Shiva
• Margazhi Thiruvadirai – celebrated with devotion across all Shiva temples
Significance of 1008 Śaṅgābhishekam
On this day, the temple witnessed the rare and powerful 1008 Śaṅgābhishekam. Sanctified water poured from 1008 conches bathed Lord Shiva, filling the air with the divine resonance of Om.
This ritual is believed to:
• Remove obstacles and sins
• Grant health, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment
• Bestow abundant blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
• Fulfil heartfelt prayers, especially on Karthigai Somavaram
Witnessing this sacred abhishekam is considered equal to receiving the grace of Kasi itself. Truly, a fortune beyond words.
On this sacred third Somavaram of Karthigai month, I had the blessed opportunity to visit the ancient Sri Kasi Vishwanathar Temple at West Mambalam.
This temple, named after the great Kasi Vishwanath of Varanasi, traces its origins to a Bilva grove nearly 300 years ago. The self-manifested Shiva Lingam discovered here became the heart of devotion, and the temple rose with grandeur, crowned by majestic gopurams and sanctums for Lord Shiva, Goddess Visalakshi, and the 63 Nayanmars.
Sri Kasi Vishwanathar Temple – West Mambalam
The Kasi Vishwanathar Temple in West Mambalam, Chennai, is one of the most revered Shiva temples in the city. According to local tradition, this area was once called Maha Vilvam or Maha Bila Kshetram, from which the name “Mambalam” is said to have originated. The temple began as a small shrine in the 17th century and gradually grew into the majestic structure we see today.
Architecture and Sanctum
• The main eastern entrance on Kuppaiah Street has a seven-tiered Rajagopuram, while the southern entrance on Kasi Vishwanathar Street has a three-tiered gopuram.
• The spacious mandapam in front of the sanctum, though modern, carries the spirit of Vijayanagar-style granite pillars.
• A special pillar depicts Ardhanarishwarar, Garuda, Hanuman (Sanjeevi Rayar), Yoga Narasimha, Pratyankara Devi, Sarabheswara, Sankara Narayana, and Nandishwarar.
• A small stone Nandi faces the sanctum, where the sacred Shiva Lingam is worshipped as Sri Kasi Vishwanathar.
• The devakoshtas (niches) house Nritta Ganapati, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga.
• Nearby, a row of sixty-three Nayanmars inspires devotees with their devotion.
The prakaram (outer enclosure) contains shrines for Vinayaka, Subramanya with consorts, Nataraja, Chandikeswara, Bhairava, Navagraha, and Goddess Visalakshi—the divine consort of Kasi Vishwanathar—whose sanctum faces south.
Festivals and Traditions
The temple celebrates many festivals with grandeur:
• Panguni Brahmotsavam – ten-day annual festival
• Chittirai Pournami – procession for Goddess Visalakshi
• Vaikasi Visakam – procession for Lord Muruga
• Ani Uttiram – special abhishekam for Nataraja
• Aippasi Annabhishekam – ritual offering of cooked rice to Lord Shiva
• Margazhi Thiruvadirai – celebrated with devotion across all Shiva temples
Significance of 1008 Śaṅgābhishekam
On this day, the temple witnessed the rare and powerful 1008 Śaṅgābhishekam. Sanctified water poured from 1008 conches bathed Lord Shiva, filling the air with the divine resonance of Om.
This ritual is believed to:
• Remove obstacles and sins
• Grant health, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment
• Bestow abundant blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
• Fulfil heartfelt prayers, especially on Karthigai Somavaram
Witnessing this sacred abhishekam is considered equal to receiving the grace of Kasi itself. Truly, a fortune beyond words.
N Jambunathan , Chennai
" What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things "
" What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things "
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