Shri Kashi Vishwanathar Temple at Thulakattam in Mayiladuthurai

This is one of the seven sapthasthan temples located at Mayiladuthurai. The temple is situated on the northern bank of Kaveri. This is a west facing temple. Instead of a rajagopuram we come across an arch at the entrance. There is a stucco image of Rishabharudhar in the arch. 

Mulavar: Shri Kashi Vishwanathar 

Devi: Shri Vishalakshi

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva

Kshetra Purana: 

Once the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati approached Sage Kanva at Kashi. They wanted to purify themselves from the sins left behind by the people who bath in them. He advised them to go to Tula Kattam at Mayiladuthurai in the month of Aippassi (Tula) and have Tula snanam. They came to this place, had a holy dip. They got purified and they got back their duty. They worshiped Shri Kashi Vishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi Devi at this place.

About temple:

The Shiva linga is housed in a shrine facing the west. The sanctum is in a form of a linga. Koshta murtis are Shri Ganesha, Shri Dakshinamurty, Shri Lingothbhava, Shri Brahma and Shri Durga Devi. Shri Chandikeshwar shrine is located in the usual position. Shri Ambika Devi is placed in a separate south facing shrine. The shrines of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi are connected by a mandap. Idol of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi is in the kostha of Shri Ambika Devi’s shrine. Next to Shri Ambika Devi’s shrine we come across Shri Nataraj depicted in the form of Yantra. In the temple prakara we come across the shrines of Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, and Shri Nardhana Ganapati. Shri Rahu is depicted with a lion’s face and is mounted on a lion. In the northwest side of parikrama we find a kshetra vruksha. We find the idols of Shri Naga under the tree.

In the mantra marga siddha (a sect of Shaivism) Shri Shiva is considered as supreme. He is depicted with a five faces and 10 hands. This form is considered as one of the twenty five Maheshwar murtis of Shri Shiva. He is believed to be always accompanied by rudra ganas, Siddhas, Sages and divine beings. According to belief, the sages worshiping Shri Sadashiva worshiped Shri Shiva at this place. There is a Shiva Linga in the temple which is being maintained by Adi Shaiva community. 

Those who worshiped here: 

1. Sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. 2. Sage Kanva worshiped Shri Shiva at this place. He was bestowed with Yogic powers and Sangyayoga by Shri Shiva.

Festivals:

Chitrai (Apr-May): Saptasthana festival of Mayiladuthurai.

Aippasi (Aug-Sept): Tula snanam as explained earlier in this blog, Skandasashthi, Annabhishek

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri

Maasi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvadurai, Arudra darshan

Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Mondays

Also Sankashti, Pradosha puja and pujas on New moon and Full moon days are performed.

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs