Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam is a town in the
Thanjavur district of
Tamil Nadu state in southern
India. Kumbakonam is sometimes called
temple town because of the large number of temples within the town and the nearby areas. The festival of
Mahamaham is celebrated every 12 years at the
Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam. The town is known for its temples, intricately carved panchaloha idols, exquisite brass wares especially lamps, silk and betel leaves.
According to legend, Kumbakonam is the location where the
kumbha (pot) in which Brahma placed the seed of creation during the great deluge came to rest. Kumbakonam is thus said to be the location from which life in the current cycle of creation first came forth. Town also has another tamil nick name
Kudanthai.
It is said that the town was once the capital of the
Cholas in the
7th century.
Kumbakonam is located 273
km south of
Chennai, 90 km east of
Tiruchirappalli, and about 40 km north-east of
Thanjavur. The town is bounded by two rivers, the
Kaveri River on the north and
Arasalar River on the south. There is a gentle slope from north of the town to south. One can smell the evergreen paddy fields when you travel in and around the town.
Kumbakonam is a part of
Thanjavur district. Kumbakonam is at present a Municipality, and the headquarters of Kumbakonam
Taluk.
Kumbakonam is primarily a market city for surrounding agricultural villages. The town is surrounded by small villages of great historical importance. The agricultural region around the town is famous for its
betelnuts and
betel leaves. In the pre-independence era, it was a market town where people from all over the
Cauvery delta region came and sold their goods. The town is also native to many goldsmiths and ornament makers.
Of the many temples in Kumbakonam, the most striking is the Lord Sarangapani Temple, a
Vaishnavite temple. This twelve storied 147
feet high temple was built by the
Nayak Kings during
15th century. The Ramaswamy Temple which depicts the paintings of
Ramayanam 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 which is truly astounding. The Temple is filled with intricate carvings in all its pillars and the
Bharatanatyam dancers come here to see the
Mudras.
Chakrapani Temple
Chakrapani Temple is also 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).
A view of the Mandapam in Chakrapani Temple.
Kumbeswara Temple
Kumbeswara Temple is an important
Saivite temple situated at the central part of the town. This is the temple of the presiding Deity of Kumbakonam. Shri Adhi Kumbeswara is the GOD and Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika is the lord's Consort. The temple complex is quite huge and beautiful in its artwork. The important festival of the town is the Mahamaham festival. This takes place once every 12 years during the Tamil Month of Masi (February/March), with
lakhs of pilgrin from various parts of India visiting Kumbakonam and taking a holy bath in the sacred Mahamaham tank which is situated in the heart of the town.
Nageswaran Temple
Nageswaran Temple, is dedicated to
Shiva in the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king. Also known as "Koothandavar Kovil", is located near the Kumbakonam old bus stand.
Adithya Cholan of the Chola dynasty constructed this temple during 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 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 two Gopurams in the eastern and western directions.
Sarangapani Temple
This famous vaishav temple is in the midst of the busy market place. Before
Sri Rangam Temple
gopuram/Tower was built, this temple used to hold the place for the tallest Temple Tower in South Asia. The Chariot festival which happens every year is one of the big festivals in the town.
Someswar Temple
Someswar Temple is situated in the southern portion of Sri Sarangapani temple. This temple faces north with a small
Gopuram at the eastern portion near the entrance. 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.
The temples at Thirunageswaram
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 to mention about NagaNathaSwami 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. This is also the only place wherein one can view
Rahu bhagawan with his consorts. Sri Thirupureeswarar temple at Pateeswaram, 5 km south-east of Kumbakonam, was constructed during the 16th century by Govinda Dikshithar, a Minister of
Nayak King Acchathappa. Another famous temple is the
Swamimalai temple which is one of the six abodes of Lord
Muruga. Swamimalai is situated 8 km west of Kumbakonam. Many
Nayanmars have sung in praise of this temple.
Airavatesvara Temple
The temple at Dharasuram, 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 DeivaNayaki Ambal temple.
Nearby Navagraha Temples
The area surrounding Kumbakonam is home to a set of
Navagraha temples dating from the
Chola period.
Other places of worship
In
1853, a
Protestant Church was erected in the town.
Shri
Ragavendra Swami lived here during his younger days. Town is still home for one of his Mutt.
|
Young Veda students returning from classes. |
The Government Arts College at Kumbakonam, known as the "
Cambridge of
South India", is one of the oldest colleges in the Tamil Nadu State. This College's Porter Hall was built in the memory of a former principal of the college in 1885.
Arasu Engineering College can be found on Chennai Main Road.
In 2004, tragedy struck Kumbakonam when a school caught fire killing 92. [
1].
* Mathematician
Srinivasa Ramanujan* Actor and Politician
M.G. Ramachandran did schooling here
* Father of Green Revolution
M.S. Swaminathan was born on Aug 7, 1925
*
List of several prominent Temples in and around Kumbakonam, with pictures*
Temples in Kumbakonam*http://www.thanjavur.tn.nic.in/tour.htm#14
