Ulagamman Kasi Viswanathar Kovil Tenkasi — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

At a distance of 1.5 km from Tenkasi Bus Station, 5 km from Courtallam, and 55 km from Tirunelveli, Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple is a sacred Hindu shrine located in the town of Tenkasi. It is one of the popular Tenkasi places to visit, and among the significant pilgrimage sites near Madurai.

Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple is dedicated to Kasi Viswanathar a form of Lord Shiva in a self-incarnated form (swayambu). Tenkasi town derived its name from this temple and known as Kasi of South. It is believed that worshipping the Lord in this temple is equal to worshipping the Lord in Kasi. The nearby river Chittar is considered equivalent to Ganga.

The temple was built by Parakrama Pandyan in Dravidian style. The construction of Rajagopuram was completed in the year 1505. The gopura caught fire in 1824 and was in a bad condition till 1966. Then the renovation began and was completed in the year 1990. The Rajagopuram is 180 feet tall and is the second largest in Tamil Nadu. A pathway is also provided up to tower in the 9th tier to have an aerial look of Tenkasi. This temple is also known as Ulagamman Temple, and is one of the must-visit places during Tenkasi tour.

This temple has three shrines - Siva, Amman, and Murugan. The consort of Kasi Viswanathar is known as Ullagamman in this temple. This temple boasts beautiful sculptures and also has musical stone pillars that produce different sounds when tapped with fingers. There are twin statues of Veerabhadra, Nataraja, Rathi-Manmatha, idols of Thirumal and Kali Devi are wonderfully carved.

The 10 day Masi Magam in February/March, Navarathri in September/October, Tirukalyanam in October/November, boat festival in August/September are the festivals grandly celebrated...

No wonder this temple is referred to as the Kasi of South India—it truly embodies the essence of spirituality and grandeur!

The temple complex is nothing short of majestic, with its breathtaking gopuram that captures your attention from the moment you arrive.

While it is currently undergoing renovations, I sincerely hope the temple trustees preserve the original sanctity of its golden past, as that history is what makes this place so special.

Upon entering, you are greeted by human-sized sculptures that are simply beautiful, showcasing intricate details and exceptional workmanship.

These stunning creations set the tone for the artistry and devotion that permeate the entire temple.

One of the most enchanting aspects of the temple is the gentle, soothing winds that flow through the complex, instantly putting you in a calmer, more spiritual mood.

It’s as if the very air encourages reflection and connection with the divine.

The innermost sanctorum was the highlight of my visit. It was the only place in the entire temple where my soul felt truly at peace, allowing me to meditate for a long time in deep tranquility.

There’s something magical about that space—it draws you in and envelops you in serenity.

The open-air garden adds another layer of charm to the temple.

It’s a relaxing spot, perfect for family and friends to gather and enjoy each other’s company amidst the beauty of the surroundings.

In one sentence: this temple is definitely...

One of the ancient architecture marvel situated in South India. This temple is Constructed in the Tamilnadu style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been built by Pandyan ruler Parakrama Pandyan during the 13th century, with later additions from Madurai Nayaks. Shiva is worshipped as Kasi Viswanathar and his consort Parvathi as Ulagamman. Temple will be opened from 6 to 12 am & 4 to 8 pm (time is subject to change with respect to festival or local performance if any on an occasional days) this temple is considered as equivalent in worshipping of lord in Kasi (Varanasi), in this temple Parvati Devi is facing west which is unlike from other temples, even Kasi viswanathar is visible from one km if one wants to check. Main attraction is temple's main gopuram (monumental tower) air flow construction techniques, one can or must feel the same in person when entering inside the gopuram. Sculptures are beautifully crafted by ancient artists. It is must watch monument in a life time to experience the brilliance of ancient artists Highly...