Kasi Viswanath Temple - Chennai

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Kasi Viswanath Temple is a well-known Shiva temple in Chennai, located in West Mambalam. The layout follows the familiar rhythm of a South Indian shrine: an east-facing rajagopuram, the dhwaja stambham (flag staff), and the bali peetham aligned along the central axis.

In the main sanctum, Kasi Viswanathar is worshipped as a small Shiva linga, with Nandi seated in front, facing the deity in quiet devotion. The goddess, Visalakshi, has a separate south-facing shrine, giving her a distinct space within the complex.

The outer wall of the main sanctum carries the standard koshta deities in niche panels—Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga. As you walk through the prakara, the temple opens up into multiple shrines and icons, making the circumambulation itself a slow, engaging experience.

Among the important icons you will notice are:

  • Ganesha

  • The 63 Nayanmars

  • The Nalvar (the four principal Shaiva saints)

  • Revered devotees and spiritual figures such as Vallalar, Sekkizhar, Pattinathar, and Ramalinga Adigal

The temple also includes several sub-shrines, including:

  • Ganesha

  • Murugan with Valli and Devasena

  • Bhairava

  • Navagrahas

  • A small Ganesha under a tree, a simple and intimate presence that devotees often pause at

One detail that stands out is a pillar with a set of striking and relatively uncommon images, Narasimha, Vishnu, Adhikara Nandi, Sharbeshwara, and Pratyangira Devi seated on a lion. For anyone who enjoys temple iconography, this pillar alone is worth a closer look.

Happy travelling.






Location: West Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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