Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Sivakasi
Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Sivakasi, a town in Virudhunagar district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Constructed in the South Indian style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been built by Pandyan ruler Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian during the 16th century, with later additions from Madurai Nayaks. Shiva is worshipped as Kasi Viswanathar and his consort Parvathi as Visalakshi. The temple was the scene of temple entry movement in 1899, followed by Sivakasi riots when 22 people were killed.
| Kasi Viswanathar Temple | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Virudhunagar |
| Deity | Kasi Viswanathar (Shiva) Visalakshi (Parvathi) |
| Location | |
| Location | Sivakasi |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Sivakasi, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu | |
| Geographic coordinates | 9°27′01″N 77°47′44″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | South Indian architecture |
A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple is open from 6 am - 12 pm and 4 - 8:30 pm on all days except during new moon days when it is open the full day. Four daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Brahmostavam festival during the Tamil month of Vaiakasi (May - June) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.