Experiencing divinity, unplanned
Great things can happen when you don’t plan anything at all. Special places of interest that we don’t even know exist inviting us out of the blue can happen and it did! And that too something totally divine. On a casual trip down south totally unplanned brought me to this holy little town known as “Thiru Kasi” later colloquially called as “Thirukanji” the abode of the presiding deity Kasi Viswanathar and Shri Visalakshi. This is a very ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvathi. This marvellous temple is located on the northern bank of the Varaha River also considered very ancient.
Divine aarathi at the holy Varaha river considered identical to the Varanasi aarathi at the Ganges.
Legend has it this ancient temple is equivalent to the great Kasi Viswanatha temple and generally believed to have been worshipped by Lord Surya (the sun god) and the Lord Brahma(the creator). Being there when the aarathi was performed at the Varaha river shore was a surreal experience.
This temple can be easily accessed from the city of Pondicherry (pudhucheri) which is about 10 kilometres. One can also reach this temple from Villupuram which is about 35 kilometres. This place is well connected from both the locations.
I have tried my best to capture and share my experience in the video! Don’t miss it if your travels take you to this part of the country! Be there on Saturdays to experience the aarathi at the holy river side!