Temple Zone - Kumbakonam

KUMBAKONAM TEMPLES DETAILS

Kumbakonam is the nice visiting place , consists so many temples include Mahamaham Temple, Sarangapani Temple , Navagrahas Temple. According to the 2001 census, the taluk of Kumbakonam had a population of 404,393 with 201,858 males and 202,535 females. There were 1003 women for every 1000 men. The taluk had a literacy rate of 79.33. The total number of households was 91470.Kumbakonam ( கும்பகோணம) is a town and a special grade municipality in the Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Kumbakonam is in the Tanjore district, Tamil Nadu State. It is a Railway station on the main line of the Southern Railway. There are many temples in Kumbakonam. Kumbheshwar is the oldest among all Siva temples. It is located on the spot where the divine pot, broken by Siva’s arrow, touched the ground. The deity is, therefore, called Kumbheshwara or Lord of the pot. The temple is intimately associated with the famous Maha-makham legend and festival. The Sumeshwar temple and the Nageswara temple are other important temples dedicated to Lord Siva. The Sarangapani temple, the Ramaswami temple and the Chakrapani temple are the Vaishnava temples.

The Mahamakham festival which comes once in twelve years like the Kumbha Melas of Prayag and Hardwar is the most celebrated one. Lakhs of pilgrims from all parts of India visit Kumbhakonam to take bath in the holy tank. The last festival took place in 1945. The nine sacred rivers of India, viz., The Ganesh, the Jumna, the Godavari, the Saraswati, the Narmada, the Indus, the Kaveri, the Sarayu and the Payoshni appear on the Maha-makham day in this tank. He who takes a bath in this tank on that day realizes the benefits or merits of a combined pilgrimage to all those nine holy rivers. The following is the legend connected with Maha Makham festival. Brahma prayed to Lord Siva to grant a boon to the suffering humanity. Siva broke with an arrow the pot which was full of divine nectar and was floating on the waters after the deluge when it reached Kumbakonam. The contents fell at Kumbakonum. Hence, the significant name—Kumbakonam from Kumbha (pot). Lord Siva said that the nine rivers would appear in the holy tank and help the people to cleanse their sins.

Ramaswamy Temple

The Ramaswamy Temple which depicts the paintings of Ramayana is another important Vaishanavite temple in Kumbakonam. The greatness of Ramaswamy Temple is said to be the only temple where Lord Rama, Goddess Sita are in the same platform and Lord Hanuman is playing the veena instead of reading the Ramayana. The entire deity is said to be made from Saligrama monolith. The Temple is filled with intricate carvings in its pillars.

Sakrapani temple 

Chakrapani Temple is situated about 1.5 km North of Ramaswamy Temple. Here the main deity is Chakraraja. The Sudharshana Chakra is also here. The temple is also an exquisite exponent of the early temple architecture. The important and peculiar point about this temple is that Vilva (Bilwa) archana which is normally performed in Shiva temples is also performed here for the Perumal (Lord Vishnu).Temple's Official Website is : http://www.srichakrapanitemple.com/

Kasi vishwanathar Temple

Kasi Viswanathar Temple is situated very close to the Mahamaham tank. Here the main deity is Kasi Viswanathar/Visalakshi. The important and peculiar point about this temple is the navakanniyar, which are the 9 holy rivers. It is believed that the mahamaham function is closely associated with the 9 presiding deities namely Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswati, Kaveri, Godavari, Tungabhatra, Krishna and Sarayu. Another important part is the stala lingam present in the southern part of the temple. It was worshipped by Ravana and is believed to grow with ages. The temple can be accessed by alighting at the Head post office bus stop.

This is called as mahamaham temple.This also suituated in important area of kumbakonam.
Nageswaran Temple, is dedicated to Shiva in the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king. Also known as "Koothandavar Kovil", it is located near the Kumbakonam old bus stand. Aditya Chola constructed this temple during the 12th century. It stands as a great marvel of Chola architecture, building technology and astronomy. The design and orientation are structured in such a way that it allows sunlight inside the temple only during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May), therefore, it bears another name called Surya Kottam or Keel Kottam. The Karuvarai (Sanctum Sanctorum) of Nageswaran temple is similar to that of Sarangapani temple, as it is made in the form of a Chariot. The temple consists of three gopurams in the eastern western & southern directions.

Sarangapani Temple

Someshwarar Temple

This famous pancharanga kshetram is in the midst of the busy market place. Before the Sri Rangam Temple gopuram/Tower was built, this temple used to hold the place for the tallest Temple Tower in South Asia.

The Sarangapani Temple in Kumbakonam is located near the Uchipilliar Kovil Junction on Sarangapani East Street. Believed to be one of the three most sacred shrines of Lord Vishnu the Sarangapani Temple dates back to ancient times. It was renovated in the 16th century by the Nayaka kingdom.

Temples at Thirunageswaram

Someswar Temple is situated in the southern portion of Sri Sarangapani temple. This temple faces east with a 5-tier Gopuram at the entrance. It also has an entrance in the south. The architectural style and element of this temple resembles the Dravidian Architecture of 13th century of the Chola period. Arumugam and Thenar Mozhi Ammal are the other deities located in this temple complex.

Airavatesvara Temple

Thirunageswaram is located 8 km east of Kumbakonam. There are two major temples at Thirunageswaram. One the famous Vaishnavaite temple of Oppliyappan (Oppliyappan Sannadhi), the other the ThiruNageswarar or NagaNathaswami (Naga in Tamil/Sanskrit means Snake and Natha means God) temple for Shaivaites. An important feature of this temple is that of Rahu bhagawan sannathi where milk abhishekham is performed daily during Rahukaalam. At this time, the milk that is poured on the statue turns blue when it passes over the body and once again to white after it reaches the floor. This wonder is watched by many daily during the raahu kaalam. 
 The temple at Darasuram, 4 km west of Kumbakonam is Airvatesvara (Airavat is the holy white elephant) Temple, constructed by Rajaraja Chola II (1146-63), is a superb example of 12 Century Chola architecture. Many statues were removed to the art gallery in the Thanjavur Palace, but have since been returned. The remarkable structures depict, among other things, Shiva as Kankala-murti - the mendicant. Stories from epics and Hindu mythology are depicted. Adjoining the Airavatesvara temple is the Deiva Nayaki Ambal temple.

Navagraha Temple

The area surrounding Kumbakonam is home to a set of Navagraha temples dating from the Chola period.

1. SURYA(THE SUN) - SURIYANAR KOIL

( 3 Kms. from Aduthurai which is on the Kumbakonam- Mayiladuthurai Road)

2. CHANDRA(THE MOON) - THINGALOOR

(1.5 Kms. from Thirupayhanam which is on the Kumbakonam-Thiruvayyaru Road)

3. ANGARAKA(SEVVAI)( THE MARS) - VAITHEESWARAN KOIL

(4 Kms. from Mayiladuthurai on the Chidambaram Road).

4. BUDAN(THE MERCURY) - TRIVENKADU

(10 Kms. SouthEast of Sirkali).

5. GURU (THE VYAZHAN)(JUPITER) - ALANGUDI

(About 15 Kms. from Kumbakonam on the way to NeedaMangalam).

6. SUKRAN(VELLI)(THE VENUS) - KANJANOOR

( An interior village on the Mayiladuthurai - Kathiramangalam Road).

7. SANI(THE SATURN) - THIRUNALLAR

( on the way to Peralam- Karaikkal. 5 Kms. from karaikkal .

8. RAGHU - THIRUNAGESWARAM

(About 7 Kms. from Kumbakonam-Karaikkal Road).

9. KETHU - KEEZHAPERUMPALLAM

(Near PoomPuhar. on Mayiladuthurai- Poompuhar road).

Swamimalai Murugan Temple

The Lord Murugan temple is located in Swami Malai, which is around 10 km from kumbakonam. It is located on the main road connecting Kumbakonam and Thanjavur. It is one among the six famous temples of Lord Muruga. This is the place where the Lord murugan in childhood taught the meaning of mandra "OM" to his father Lord Siva. Lord Murugas Fourth home. Swamimalai Murugan Temple is a famous temple For Lord Subramanya. This is the Upadesha Sthala.

This is near Kumbakonam.

There is a famous temple

For Lord Subramanya.

This is the Upadesha Sthala.

Lord Subramanya became

The Guru of Lord Siva.

He initiated Omkara,

Or the sacred Pranava,

In Siva’s ears.

O Holder of ‘Vel’ of power

O Vellayudha! Velmuruha

Thy Vel and Hari’s discus are one.

Thy Vel is the granter of boons.

Salutations unto Thee

And Thy mighty Vel.

Om Saravanabhavaya Namah

Thiruvalansuzhi Vinayakar Temple

This siva temple is famous for vinayakar sculpture which has been carved from white foam while churning the milky sea. So the name of the god in Tamil is "Vellai pillayar" meaning that "White vinayakar". This temple is located in small village "Thiruvalansuzi" which is 4 km from Kumbakonam and 2 km from Swamimalai. The name "Thiruvalansuzi" has come because the Cauvery river prayed the lord Siva by doing pradhaksana from right hand side to left hand side. (Usually it will be left to right). The name for lord Siva in this temple is "Sadai mudi nathar".
Sri Rama Bhajani Sabha

founded and nurtured by Venuganam Sri Sarabha Sastri about 125 years ago.It is in Solaiappan Street.Every year sabha celebrates Sri Rama Navami Utasavam and Sri Radha Kalyana Mahotsavam and committed to its various cultural and religious needs of the Hindu society with the grace of Lord Rama.

Thirubuvanam

Thirubuvanam is a small panchayat near the town of Kumbakonam. It has a Lord Sarabeswara (Shiva ) temple and Perumal temple located in the centre of the panchayat. This small town is famous for silk saris like Kanchipuram silk. The famous "Thico Silks" is located here. Silk weaving is the main business of this town.

Tiruvadaimarudoor Temple

Tiruvadaimarudoor is in the district of Tanjore. It is a few miles east of Kumbakonam. It is known by the name Madyarjunam also.The river Kaveri flows through this town. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Siva. The deity is known by the name Maha Linga.We have told all above Temples are Kumbakonam Temples. Kumbakonam is also called Temple City.

O Lord Siva !

I bow to Thee.

Thou art the One to be known

Thou art the most ancient Being.

O Lover of Thy devotees,

Redeemer of Pushpadanta,

Saviour of Manickavachakar,

O Teacher of the universe,

Save me, guide me,

Mahadeva, Mahalinga

Madyarjunesa mam pahi.