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Kumbakonam : An Introduction |
| Kumbakonam is one of the oldest towns in Tamilnadu and is famous for its Mahamaham festival. In the 7th Century it was the Capital of Chola Kings. Kumbakonam, the famous temple town of South India, is picturesquely located amidst the two rivers, Cauvery & Arasalar.Kumbakonam is the temple city of South India situated in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The city is famous for the Mahamaham festival that is celebrated once in 12 years in the Mahamaham tank located in the heart of it. The town has also been well - known for its prestigious educational institutions which have turned out eminent stalwarts in diverse spheres. The town is famous for brass vessels.
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Places of Interest in Kumbakonam |
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Adi Kumbeswarar Temple:Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at the center of the Tamil Nadu town of Kumbakonam, India. The Hindu festival of Mahamaham is associated with this temple. The huge temple is built over an area of 30,181 sq ft (2,803.9 m2) is reported to be more than 1300 years old.The temple is revered by the Tevaram hymns of 7th century Saiva nayanars - Tamil saint poets and is also classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam (temple revered by the nayanars). |
| 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. |
| Kasi Viswanathar Temple :Kasi Viswanathar Temple is situated very close to the Mahamaham tank and another one temple is placed in Solaiyappan street. 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. |
| Sarangapani Temple :Of the many temples in Kumbakonam, the most striking is the Lord Sarangapani Temple, a Vaishnavite 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. This twelve storied 147 feet (45 m) high temple was built by the Nayak Kings during 15th century. |
| Someswar Temple :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. |
| Pateeswaram temple :Sri Thenupureeswarar temple at Pateeswaram, 5 km south-east of Kumbakonam, was constructed during the 16th century by Govinda Dikshithar, a Minister of Nayak King Acchathappa. |
| Airavatesvara Temple :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 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. |
| Swamimalai 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 (Arupadai Veedu) 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. |
| Sri Ramaswamy Temple :Sri Ramaswamy Temple Kumbakonam which is also popularly known as Dhakshina Ayoththi. Here moolavar Sri Sita Sametha Sri Ramar in Pattabhisheka ThirukOlam in sanctum along with Sri Lakshmanar, Sri BharathAzhwan, Sri SathrukNan, and Sri Hanuman with Veenai in one hand and holding Srimad Ramayanam in another hand. The above is unique and wonderful darshan. The navarathiri Festival is here with special darshan and poojas are performed daily. |
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