List of Hindu temples in Kumbakonam

Mahamaham tank

, the most famous temple tank in the town

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v t e

Kumbakonam (

of Thanjavur district.

.

12 Shiva temples are connected with

. Of these twelve, first ten temples temples are located in Kumbakonam town itself.

Likewise five Vishnu temples are connected with Mahamaham. They are

Saivite Temples in Kumbakonam

Kasi Viswanathar Temple

Main article:

Kasi viswanathar temple, kumbakonam

Kasi viswanathar temple, kumbakonam

Kashi Vishwanathar Temple is situated very close to the Mahamaham tank and another one temple is placed in Solaiyappan street. Here the main deity is Kashi Vishwanathar/Vishalakshi. 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, Tungabhadra, Krishna and Sarayu. Another important part is the sthala 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.

Adi Kumbeswara Temple

Main article:

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

Adi Kumbheshwarar temple is the major one among the

Shaivite

temples and located in the centre of Kumbhakonam at Big Bazaar Street. Shri Adi Kumbheshwara is the presiding deity of Kumbhakonam and Mantrapeetheshwari Mangalambika is the lord's Consort. The temple complex is huge and has beautiful artwork. This temple covers an area of 30,181 sq ft (2,803.9 m²). with a length and breadth of 750 feet (230 m), and 252 feet (77 m) respectively. This temple comprises three Praharas and three Gopurams in the eastern, northern and western directions. It is believed that Govinda Dikshitan, the Chieftain of Achyuta Nayakar of Thanjavur, renovated this oldest temple during the 16th century. The East Gopuram consists of 9 stories with a height of 128 ft (39 m). Mangala Teertham, Marriage hall and small temples for Muruga, Ganapati and Mangalambika are other major constituents of this temple.

Someswar Temple

Main article:

Someswar Temple, Kumbakonam

Someswar Temple, kumbakonam

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

Arumugam

and Thenar Mozhi Ammal are the other deities located in this temple complex.

Nageswaran Temple

Main article:

Nageswaran temple, kumbakonam

Nageswaraswamy Temple, 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 and southern directions.

This vast temple known is for its shrine to Rahu, one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagraha. A legend has it that the mythological serpents Adiseshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Legend also has it that King Nala worshipped Shiva here as in Thirunallar.

Ekambeswarar Temple

Ekambeshwarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Kumbhakonam. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The presiding deity is known as Ekambeshwarar also known by other names Ekamranathaswamy or simply Ekamresha. It is one of the famous Pancha-linga kshetra ( pilgrimages consisting of five Shaivite places )

Abimukeswarar Temple

Abimukeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

Abhimukheshwarar Temple is situated in the eastern bank of the Mahamaham tank, Kumbhakonam. It is a Shiva temple. The presiding deity of the temple, in the form of Shivalinga, is known as Abhimukheshwarar. His consort is known as Amirthavalli or Amritavalli.

Gauthameswarar Temple

Gauthameswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

Gautameshwarar Temple is situated in the western bank of the Mahamaham tank, Kumbhakonam It is a Shiva temple. The presiding deity of the temple, in the form of Shivalinga, is known as Gautameshwarar. His consort is known as Saundaryanayaki.^[3]

Kambatta Viswanathar Temple

Kambatta Viswanathar Temple, Kumbakonam

Kambatta Viswanathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Kumbakonam at the south west of Kumbeswarar Temple. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The presiding deity is known as Kambatta Viswanathar.

Banapuriswarar Temple

Banapuriswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the town of Kumbakonam. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The presiding deity is known as Banupuriswarar.

Kalahasteeswarar Temple

Kalahasteeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

Kalahasteeshwarar Temple is a Shiva temple located at Kumbhakonam. The presiding deity is known as Kalahasteeshwaraswamy . His consort is known as Gnanambikai. The temple was renovated during the period of Serfoji or Sharabhoji ( śarabhōji ) .

Kottaiyur Kodeeswarar temple

Kottaiyur Kodeeswarar ( ot koteeshwarar ) Temple (

, the 275 temples revered in the canon.

Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Sakkottai

Main article:

Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Sakkottai

Amirthakadeswarar Temple (

.

Vaishnavite Temples in Kumbakonam

Sarangapani Temple

Of the many temples in Kumbakonam, the most striking is the Sarangapani Temple, a

during the 15th century.

Chakrapani Temple

Main article:

Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam

Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam

Chakrapani Temple is situated about 1.5 km North of Ramaswamy Temple. Here the main deity is Chakraraja. The Sudarshana 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 (Vishnu).^[4]

Ramaswamy Temple

Ramaswamy Temple

The Ramaswamy Temple which depicts the paintings of

monolith. The Temple is filled with intricate carvings in its pillars.This temple is known as " Thennaga Ayodheyai " which means Ayodhys of south.

Rajagopalaswamy Temple

The Rajagopalaswamy temple is situated at Big Street in Kumbakonam. The presiding deity is known as Rajagopalaswamy. His consort is known as Sengamalavalli.

Varahaperumal Temple

Varahaperumal Temple, Kumbakonam

The Varahaperumal Temple is situated at Kumbakonam. The presiding deity is known as Varahaperumal. His consort is known as Boomidevi.

Specialty

Twelve Shiva temples are connected with Mahamaham festival which happens once in 12 years in Kumbakonam.^[2] They are:

• Kasi Viswanathar Temple,
• Kumbeswarar Temple
  ,
• Someswarar Temple
  ,
• Nageswara Temple
  ,
• Kaalahasteeswarar Temple
  ,
• Gowthameswarar Temple
  ,
• Koteeswarar Temple,
• Banapuriswarar Temple,
• Abimukeswarar Temple
  ,
• Kambatta Visvanathar Temple
  ,
• Ekambareswarar Temple and
• Amirthakalasanathar Temple

Five Vishnu temples are connected with Mahamaham festival which happens once in 12 years in Kumbakonam.^[2] They are:

• Sarangapani Temple,
• Chakrapani Temple
  ,
• Ramaswamy Temple,
• Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and
• Varahaperumal Temple
  .

Other temples in Kumbakonam

Sri Vijayeendra Tirtha Moola Brindavanam

We can find the moola brindavanam of Sri Vijayeendra Tirtha (Raghavendra Swamy guru's guru) here. It is in Solaiyappan Street. The great Vijayeendra Tirtha's Aradhana falls on Jyeshta Trayodashi. He was one of the greatest scholar what India has produced. He was a staunch Vishnu bhakta and a great philosopher. He was an exponent of 64 vidyas.

Sri SitaRama Bhavani Sankarar Temple

This temple is situated at Solaiyappan street on the banks of the Cauvery river (Nangam Thirunal Padithurai). This private temple is supposed to be more than 200 years old built by Achalpuram Shri.Lakshmana shrowthigal's (great scholar of Krishna Yajur Veda)son Indore Shri.Subba Rao Lakshmana Dravid. In this temple deities are Sri Rama, Shiva (Sankara) in the form of Bhana lingam and Parvathi (Bhavani) are in separate sannithis. Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, and Hanuman are made of white marbles. This ramar (called Solaiappan Agraharam Ramaswamy) is one of the twelve deities in the Akshya trithi celebrations in Kumbakonam. This temple was managed by Late. Smt. Rajalakshmi(Ramarkoil Rajalakshmi Ammal, daughter of late Shri.Subba Rao (II) Son of Shri.Ramachandra Rao Dravid) till 2013. The temple is currently managed by all the children and grandchildren of Late Shri. Subba Rao (II) Dravid alias Subramanya Iyer & Late Saraswathi Ammal family. Several Hindu religious saints use to come here to do chaturmasya. Paramahamsa Siva Prakasa Anandagiri Swamigal stayed in this temple did his tapas and puja for quite a number of times and got information at the entrance of the temple to travel to Thiruviyaru to attain mukthi. Similarly, he did and attained mukthi at Thiruviyaru. Hanuman in this temple has a knife, gatha, bow & arrow at the back and japamala in his hand doing Ramajapam. Rama with jadamudi and knife(valkaram)at hip and marauri (dress) and kothdhandam in his hand.

Sri Rama Bhajanai Sabha

Sri Rama Bhajanai 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.

Temples around Kumbakonam

Thirunageswaram Temple

) (the Venkatesh Perumal of Tirupathi), the other the Thirunageswarar or Naganathaswami temple for Shaivaites. An important rite of this temple is that of . At this time, milk that is poured on the statue is supposed to turn blue when it passes over the body, and back to white after it reaches the floor. This is watched by many daily during the raahu kaalam. This is also the only place wherein one can view Rahu bhagawan with his consorts.

Pateeswaram temple

Patteswaram, Kumbakonam

Sri Thenupureeswarar temple at Patteeswaram, 5 km south-east of Kumbakonam, was constructed during the 16th century by Govinda Dikshithar, a Minister of Nayak King Achuthappa.

Airavatesvara Temple

The temple at

(1146–63), is a superb example of 12th-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. In 2004 the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavated and restored the temple.

Navagraha Temples

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

Swamimalai temple

The 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 (Arupadai Veedu) of Murugan. This is the place where the Murugan in childhood taught the meaning of mandra "OM" to his father Shiva. Murugan's Fourth home.

Thiruvalanjuzhi 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 to Shiva by doing pradhaksana from right hand side to left hand side. (Usually it will be left to right). The name for lShiva in this temple is "Sadai mudi nathar".

Tribhuvanan or Thirubhuvanam Sarabeswarar Temple

Sri Kampa-hareshwarar is the main deity, Sharabheshwarer, a form of Shiva is the presiding deity of the temple. Particularly, worshipping the deity at 4.30-6.00 pm on Sundays is special. as only on Sundays , time between 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm is known as rahu-kaalam.

Thirucherai Temples

and Sara Parameswarar temple are popular here.

 

References