Kumbakonam, called the temple
city of South India is situated in Thanjavur District in Tamilnadu. Kumbakonam
is not only known for its temples, but also for the carved panchloha idols,
brasswares, silk and betel leaves. The mahamaham festival is celebrated once in
12 years near the mahamaham tank with outmost enthusiasm. Kumbakonam is a
temple town filled with history, culture and heritage.
Kumbakonam is one of the
commercial centres, nestled along the Cauvery River some 37 Kms northeast of
Thanjavur. Kumbakonam is a good base to visit the superb Chola temples nearby,
or to head east to the coastal towns of the Cauvery Delta. Kumakonam has now
gained importance especially for silk and metal manufacturing activities.
Holy Mahamaham
Mahamaham is a Hindu Kumb Mela
festival celebrated every 12 years in a town called Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu,
India. Hindus consider taking a holy dip at the Mahamaham tank on the day of
Mahamaham as sacred. The last Mahamaham was celebrated on March 6,2004, with
people from various places taking the holy dip in the Mahamaham tank.
More
Kumbeswarar Temple:
This temple is an ancient and
placed its name in Indian history. The presiding Deity of this temple is Lord
KUMBESWARA and the presiding Goddess is Sri MANGALAMBIGAI.
Tradition goes to say that during
the Mahapralaya(Great Floods) after DWABARAYUGA, A KUMBAM(Pot) full of amirtham
and seeds for creation was set afloat by Siva. It was proclaimed by Shiva
Himself that the place where the pot touched the ground and had its rest would
be considered as the holiest places in the world.
Sri Nageswaran Temple :
The temple had been sung by
Appar. Wide corridors with excellent carve works and statues are seen. God :
Nageswaran Goddess : Brihun Nayagi. A Chariot with Nataraj's "Ananda
Thandavam" pose is one of the examples of rich art work.
Brahman Temple :
Pleased by the prayers of Brahma,
Vishnu appeared here as " Vedanarayan " and "Varadharaja".
The temple is in the banks of Arasalaru river.
Sri Kasi Vishwanathar Temple:
This temple has been praised by
Sambandhar in his "Devaram". It is situated in the north eastern side
of Mahamaham tank. God : Kaayarohanar. Goddess : Vishalakshi. The nine rivers
called as Navakannigas are here in the form of statues. The corridors have very
attractive sculptures.
Ramaswamy Temple :
Sculpture works of the Nayakars'
period decorate the pillars of the temple where Lord Rama is in the ( rarely
seen elsewhere ) Pattabhisheka scene with Sita and his three brothers and
Anjaneya at his foot. The paintings which depict Ramayana and the Dasavathara,
seen in the corridors are very attractive.
Sarangapani Temple:
An artistic tower of 147 feet
high is the highlight of this temple. The Lord Vishnu is seen in his Ananda
Sayanam pose under the Aathiseshan in a chariot. Separate shrines are the for
Goddess Komalavalli, Anjaneya and Desikar.
Vaikunta Ekadesi which includes
21 days of festival and the car festival during the month of Chithirai ( Apr. /
May ) are the important festivals.
Someshwar Temple :
God : Someshwar, Chikkesswar
Goddess : Somasundari. Wide corridors and high compound walls isolate you from
the busy bazaar street to divert the mind towards the Lord.
Sri Chakrapani Temple :
This temple is in the southern
side of cauvery where Vishnu appears with the majestic " Sudharsan Chakra
". Fort Like walls are seen around the shrine.
Sri Kambatta Vishwanathar
Temple :
Nayak kings have built this
temple which is also called as " Malathivanam ".
Sri Banupurishwarar Temple :
This temple is in the north
eastern side of the city in a isolated place. God: Shiva called as
Banupurishwarar. Goddess : Somakalambigai. This is the place where Shiva in the
disguise of a Hunter broke the pot with an arrow.
Navagraha Temples ( Sthalams )
Navagraha temples are temples
devoted to Navagraha - the nine (nava) major celestial bodies (Grahas) of Hindu
astronomy. These celestial bodies are named
- Chandran(Moon) - Thingaloor - Kumbakonam
- Guru(Jupiter) - Alangudi - Mannargudi to kumbakonam road
- Raghu - Thirunageshwaram - Near by Mayiladuturai
- Suriyan(Sun) - Suriyanar kovil - Near by Aduthurai
- Sukkran(Venus) - Kanjanoor
- Sevvai(Mars) - Vaitheeswaran koil
- Bhudan(Mercury) - Thiruvenkadu - Near chidambaram
- Kethu - Kelaperumpallam - Near Poombuhar
- Sani(Saturn) - Thirunallaru - Near by Karaikal