Sree Visalakshi Sametha Sree Viswanathaswamy Temple — Attraction in Kerala

Kalpathy Kashi Viswanathaswami Temple,

Kashi Viswantha Swamy Temple, Kalpathy, Palakkad, Kerala

Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanathaswamy temple, popularly known as Kasi Viswanathaswamy Temple or locally as kundukovil/kundambalam is a famous Hindu temple located in the Kalpathy village of Palakkad in Kerala, India. It is the site of the annual Kalpathi Ratholsavam which is one of the most famous temple festivals of Kerala.

This ancient temple nestles by the banks of the serene Kalpathy River (Nila Nadhi). Dedicated to Lord Siva and his consort Visalakshi (another name for Parvati),

There is a mention of this temple in the Sewel’s list of the Antiquarian Remains in the Madras Presidency at page 253 of Volume I. It shows that the Temple was consecrated in the Kollam (year) 640 (1464 AD). Volume II of the same book shows that the temple was founded in 1464 AD. Mr. Logan in his Malabar Manual, Volume II, Appendix III, page 126, states that an endowment to the temple was made in the Malayalam year 640 (1464 AD).

Archaeological Department excavations in 1957 discovered a kolezhuthu (stone inscription) and the epigraphic study of this stone slab, (now placed in front of the temple between the flag staff and the Nandi Mandapam, outside the temple, but within the temple courtyard) records some endowments made by one Ittikombi Achan, member of the Royal family of Palakkad in Malayalam Era 600 [1425–26 AD].

The stone inscription also elaborates that in 1425-26 one Lakshmi Ammal, (the Brahmin wife of Venkitanarayana Iyer of Kollengode) while returning from her Kasi (Varanasi) pilgrimage brought a Bana Lingam with her. She desired to install the Lingam on the bank of River Nila at Kapathy and expressed this desire to the then King of Palakkad, Sekari Varma Raja.

The Raja who was devotee of the Lord agreed to this desire of Laksmi Ammal and instructed his most trusted member from Akkathetara, Sriman Ittikombi Achan of Valiakonikal Edom to construct the temple and have the lingam installed.

Accordingly the temple was built and the lingam installed. The king happy with the sincere work of Sriman Ittikombi Achan, appointed him as the Trustee of the temple and entrusted him with the management of the temple affairs.

The good natured King gave as endowment, in writing to the temple, the land along the Nila River extending till Sankhuvarathodu and with devotion; he made the deities of Chokanathapuram Sundaresha Perumal and Kalekulangara Shri Emoori Bhagavathy as witness to this written endowment.

The lands set apart for this temple came to be made inam or revenue-free by him and this was allowed to be continued as revenue free by the subsequent rulers, Tipu Sultan and later by the British Government.

Even today the management of the temple continues to be in the hands of the Original Trustee,a descendent of the erstwhile princely family of Valiakonikal Edom.

The land reforms of the Government of recent times deprived the temple of the income from these lands. The Temple at present is being run by the offerings of the devotees and vazhipadu collections.

It is also said that Lakshmi Ammal had donated 1320 gold coins towards managing the temple affairs.

Pooja is conducted four times a day: 5:45AM Usha Pooja, 9:45 AM Uchikala Pooja, 5:45 PM Deeparadhana, and 7:45 PM Ardhajama Pooja. The Ardhajama pooja is most important. It includes dhara and Abhishekam by milk daily.

(Note: Sriman Ittikombi Achan, is ancestor of mine and belongs to the family of my Late grandfather who belonged to Valliakonikal Edom. The management of the temple is even now carried out by elders from this family.)

Photos by Viswas Menon © Viswas Menon Write up compiled by...

This Ancient temple is situated on the banks of Kalpathi river (part of Bharatapuzha). This temple is built during 15th century and the well preserved ancient stone inscription about the history of the temple is kept infront of the temple.

This temple is worshipped for Lord SHIVA and are considered to be equivalent to KASI Temple (BANARAS). Whoever wished to visit Kasi Temple and failed to do the last rites and periodical rituals for their forefathers can be done here with full belief. Everyone believes the best place for doing the last rites and rituals to their forefathers is Kasi, next is Peroor and then finally Kalpathi. Hence during Chankaranthi (Vaavu) time the temple will be overcrowded for the same.

Other than this during the Cart Festival the temple will be over crowded which is celebrated during November month annually. This festival is also known as Kalpathi Radholsavam (കൽപാത്തി രഥോത്സവം) and Kalpathi Thaeru (കൽപാത്തി തേര് ). The temple will be shining with colorful lights and decorations during the festival season. During this festival time its very hard to visit the temple. Entire location will be blocked, congested due to the crowdness, there will be severe traffic as well. You can't find proper space availability for the parking, which is a big drawback.

This temple is also known in the name of KUNDAMBALAM or KUNDUKOVIL. There are two entrances available for this peaceful temple. The temple is well maintained, clean and tidy. There is facility for പിൻവിളക്ക് and മുൻവിളക്ക് for Lord Shiva.

The temple is surrounded by agrahaaram, which is the colony of Brahmins. This can be considered as the one of the Heritage Village of Kerala.

For doing PithruDharpanam (പിതൃ ദർപ്പണം ) you need to pay ₹30 for the vazhipaadu ticket, then after ₹100 for the one who is doing this ritual. You can get banana leaf and other things required for dharppanam from temple shop for ₹50. Within ₹180 rupees you can do this ritual here. I am mentioning this here because many people thinks its really expensive to do this ritual here. If any Pandit asks for more money, pls do mention this to temple committee. This price information is on the per head basis. This price information may vary in future. This is as of January-2023.

The other price description for the poojas and the Temmple Dharshanam timings are available in the photo attached below.

Improvements required is as follows. Facility for wheelchair devotees such as entrance, parking, etc. The waste output on the River bank where the rituals are done needs to be handled and disposed properly. Construction of steps and safety lines on the river bank should be encouraged.

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Palakkad Kalpathi Vishwanatha Swamy Temple in Kerala State is located in underground. In Malayalam, this is called Koil in the shell. 'Kundu' means crater.

In the 15th century, an old lady named Lakshmiammal lived in Kalpathi Puzhaikarai. Her family belongs to Mayiladuthurai. Like the Mayuranatha Swamy temple at Mayiladuthurai, she also wanted to build a temple in Kalpathi. For that she went to Kasiyathira and brought Panalingam. For building the temple, she gave her property to the government.

King Ittikombi, who ruled the Palakkad region, agreed to the old lady's request and allowed the temple to be built. Swami got the name 'Kashi Vishwanath' as ​​He was brought from Kashi. Later the statue of Goddess Visalakshi was also consecrated. Visalakshi is south facing and has the power to remove fear of death.

It is a black stone temple built low from the ground floor. There are 18 steps leading down to the south and east directions. There are steps leading to the river from inside the temple.

Like Mayiladuthurai, the Aipasi Ther festival is also held here. Kalpathi Lakshmi Narayana, Chathapuram Prasanna Ganapathi also appear in separate chariots along with Vishwanath Chariot in the festival.

Here in Kerala Shiva Temples, only here Nataraja has Kanakasabha. Navagrahas appear as couples. New cloths are offered to Swami to remove the obstacles of marriage and to get a child. Rudrapishekam and Mrityunjaya Japa are performed for longevity. It is special to do tarpanam and chirartham on the banks of river Kalpathi in memory of ancestors. This is why there is a saying 'Half Kashi is Kalpathi'. This place is also known as 'Kerala...