Description
This shrine which is located in the city of Tenkasi, which can be found in the district of Tirunelvelli, which is cited in the state of Tamil Nadu, is said to be approximately five hundred to a thousand years old. Lord Shiva is worshipped in this temple. People believe that the divine saints- Agastya, Narada, Indira, Nandi and Vali had offered prayers to the Lord in this shrine.
History
Approximately seven hundred years before, a king by the name of Parakrama Pandya was going to Kashi for a pilgrimage as he wanted to pray to Lord Vishwanatha. God came to him in his dream and told him to build a shrine there itself, instead of wasting time by going on a pilgrimage. He told the king to tag along a row of ants and to erect a shrine where the row ended. The line of ants finished on the river banks of Chitaru, where one was able to find a dense forest of Shenbaga trees. He came across a swayambulinga, which was located close to the ant hill and he erected the shrine there, as God had told him to.
Importance/Significance
Uptil 1967, the tower of the shine was seen to be completely flat. The year 1990, witnessed the construction of a tower that was a staggering 180 feet tall, which was erected in a very artistic way. The shrine looks really beautiful after the construction of that tower! There is a balcony which is erected in such a way, that a devotee can encircle the whole tower. The most important idol that is housed in the shrine is that of Lord Kashi Vishwanatha, accompanied by Mother Ulgamam. The unique features of the shrine are the holy water, which is the theertham, the holiness and the idol. The tree by the name of Shenbagam and the theertham of Kashi are said to be unique to the shrine. The figurines of the temple are rather beautiful, making them popular all over the world. The twin figurines, that of Thandavamurthis, Veerabadras, Rathi and his wife- Manmatta, Two Tamilian mothers are as renowned as the single figurines of Kali Devi and Lord Vishnu.
Facts/Mythology
The idol of Lord Shiva, which can be found in this shrine, is a self manifested one. The main idol of Lord Kashi Vishwanatha that is found in this shrine can be seen by followers even when they are a kilometre away from the shrine. The shrine is rather large and all the facilities that are required by the devotees are provided to them, here. In other shrines, Goddess Durga is said to face the southern direction, but in this shrine, she faces towards the west.
Festivals/Events/Gatherings
A number of festivals are celebrated in this shrine, they are: Ten Maasi Magam that is celebrated during the months of February to March, Navratri is celebrated on a grand scale during the months of September to October, during the months of January to February, Badra Deepa is celebrated on a new moon day.
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