Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple / ஸ்ரீ காசிவிஸ்வநாதர் கோயில், புஞ்சை தளவாய்பாளையம் / Punjaithalavaipalayam / Thalavaipalayam / Punjai Thalavaipalayam, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple at Punjaithalavaipalayam was part of a Heritage visit to the temples, heritage sites, and Hero stones from Vijayamangalam to Avinashi, on 07^th August 2021. This is one of the lesser-known temples of Tiruppur District. The place was named Thalavapalayam, during the Vijayanagara Nayaks period. The word “Thalavai”, means a person who is in the rank of “Minister” or “official” or a Leader /captain/ in-charge for the local army, of Vijayanagara Nayaks period. They are also later called “Palayakarars”. Hence this place was called “Thalavai Palayam”.

     

Moolavar  : Sri Kasi Viswanathar

Consort    : Sri Visalakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple faces east with a Deepasthambham. Balipeedam and Nandi are after the entrance.  There is no murtis in the niches / Koshtas. Dakshinamurthy and Durgai are installed outside the niches during recent years.

In prakaram Pancha Bhuta Lings, Vinayagar, Bhairavar, Suriyan, Ramanujar (may belongs to Vishnu Temple) and Chandikeswarar. Ambal is in a separate temple facing east like Moolavar with a separate entrance and Deepasthambham. Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar is in between Moolavar and Ambal sannidhi. Hence this temple is claimed as a Somaskandar form. 

A Maha Vishnu temple is also under construction. This temple is on the left side of the Shiva temple with a Separate DeepaSthambham. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, and Ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a   Padabandha adisthana. From Adhisthana to Prastaram, built with stone and the superstructure 2 tier Vesara Vimana is over the Sanctum Sanctorum

Bhuta Ganas with different facial expressions are above the koshtas / niches. Kumbha Pancharas are on the outside antarala wall between niches. The Ardha mandapam ceiling has the bas reliefs of snakes with the Sun and moon to represent the solar and Lunar Eclipse. There are many fish reliefs carved on the wall stones.

Ambal temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. A single-tier nagara  Vivama is on the sanctum sanctorum. Nandi and Navagrahas are in ardha mandapam.  Ambal temple has a separate entrance with a Deepa Sthambam.

Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Sri Visalakshi Temple, and Maha Vishnu temples Deepasthambams are in the same line.

 

Kumbh panjara ( Left )

Pancha Lingas sannidhi

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple was constructed by Kongu Chozhas/Pandyas during the 13^th to 14^th century with later contributions from Vijayanagara/Nayaks during the 15^th to 16^th Century. 

LEGENDS

It is believed that this temple is of Somaskandar form and Stucco image of Lord Shiva with Parvati’s marriage on the Vimana, devotees pray to Lord Shiva for child boon, to remove obstacles in the marriage, to reunite separated couples, etc,.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala Pooja, special poojas are conducted on Amavasya days, Vinayagar Chaturthi ( Avani ), Guru Peyarchi ( Puratasi ), Annabhishekam (Aippasi ), Thirumangalya Pooja & Hanuman Jayanthi ( Margazhi ), Thaipoosam, Maha Shivaratri, Moolavar Special abhisheka in the month Chithirai & Vaikasi, Aani Pooram, and Thiruvilakku Pooja in the month Aadi.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Sundaresa Gurukkal’s mobile number is +91 9943088779 and Mohan Gurukkal’s mobile number is +91 9952098425 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place Punjai Thalavapalayam is 8 KM from Uthukuli, 21 KM from Tiruppur, 38 KM from Erode, and 440 KM from Chennai.

The Nearest Railway station is Uthukuli and the biggest Railway Station is Tiruppur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Perumal Temple under construction

Ramanujar

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---