Things To Do Kumbakonam

Tamil Nadu India

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Places To Visit In Kumbakonam

Adi Kumbeshwara Temple

Believed to have been constructed in the 7th century A.D by the Cholas, Adi Kumbeshwara Temple is one of the grandest and the oldest Shiva temple in the town. The temple has a magnificent architecture with the trademark style of the Cholas. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses a unique Shiva lingam.

Located in the town of Darasuram near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, Airavatesvara Temple is a revered Hindu temple and a UNESCO world heritage site. Part of the popular trio known as the Great Living Chola Temple along with Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Airavatesvara Temple was built by the Chola King Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century CE. Presided by the Hindu God Lord Shiva, the temple is amongst the eighteen medieval era Hindu temples in the Kumbakonam area. The shrine displays the Vaishnavism and Shaktism legs of Hinduism, and the traditional Nayanars- the Bhakti saints of Shaivism. Constructed in the chariot structure and built in stone, the temple has smaller shrines dedicated to several Vedic and Puranic deities including Indra, Agni, Varuna, Vayu, Brahma, Surya, Vishnu, Saptamtrikas, Durga, Saraswati, Sri devi (Lakshmi), Ganga, Yamuna, Subrahmanya, Ganesha, Kama, Rati and others. Lord Shiva’s spouse has a smaller shrine towards the northern side of the temple premises known as Periya Nayaki Amman. Lately, some of the temple is in a crumpled state with the gopurams entirely in ruins. However, the main shrine and the associated sanctums still stand sturdy. The temple attracts pilgrims and devotees in thousands annually especially during the month of Magha for several special poojas. Read More

Located 6 kms from Kumbakonam, in the village of Ayyavadi, the famous Pratyangira Devi Temple is enshrined by Goddess Pratyangira - an incarnation of Goddess Kali. Believed to be at least a 1000 years old, the shrine is related to the times of the Mahabharata. The idol of the presiding deity Pratyangira is flanked by those of Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. Situated at a distance of 500 metres from the Uppiliappan Temple, the shrine is highly revered by the Hindus and is a popular pilgrimage spot. Goddess Kali is installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and is known as Pratyangira Devi. The Devi has a face of a lion and is seated on a huge chariot, has eight hands and four lions occupy her sidespace. It is believed that worshipping at Pratayangira Devi temple can ward off evil spirits, and can solve the unsolvable problems in the lives of the devotees. A special yagna is conducted every new moon day from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and red chillies are offered to the goddess. A sacred Banyan tree is also present in the premises. Read More

The Banapuriswarar Temple in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. The Mahamaham festival that occurs every 12 years, and is celebrated in 12 temples in this region, is celebrated here. It is believed that it was here that Shiva aimed at the pot of 'Amrita' or Divine Nectar with his bow and arrow. Upon breaking the pot, the nectar is said to have spread over a span of 10 miles touching the five famous shrines of Shiva around the region - now called the Pancha Krosa Sthalas. Read More

Located in the Thanjavur district of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, Brahma Temple is a Hindu Temple mainly dedicated to Lord Vishnu colloquially known as Vedanarayanaperumal. His consort- Goddess Lakshmi enshrines the chamber next to the presiding deity, and she is known as Vedavalli. Lord Brahma occupies the shrine adjacent to the sanctum sanctorum on the right. The temple is popularly known as Brahma Temple as this is one of the only two temples dedicated to Brahma in the world. The temple presents Lord Brahma in a four face figure- the front face and the adjoining two faces are open to display; however, the back face is of a female, that can only be seen in the mirror which is veiled and can be viewed only after requesting the priest to uncover the mirror. Lord Brahma is flanked with the idols of Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) and Gayatri (personified form of Gayatri mantra). At the left side of the sanctum is the shrine of Lord Narasimha flanked by Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Brahma Sankalp Pooja is the most important pooja performed at the temple. Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswati are especially worshipped by parents for success and prosperity before their kids begin their education. The temple is a revered pilgrimage spot and is thronged by devotees and tourists alike. Read More

Chakrapani Temple is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (locally known as Chakrapani) located in the Kumbakonam city of Tamil Nadu. One of the most prominent temples in the area, the shrine has a magnificent idol of Lord Vishnu with his chakra (discus) to bring down the pride of Surya- the Sun God, who subsequently became his devotee. Boasting of striking architectural finesse, the temple also houses a statue of King Sarfoji II who is also worshipping Lord Vishnu. The temple has peculiar similarities to Shiva temples. Just like Lord Shiva, the chief idol of Lord Vishnu has a third eye. Another similarity is the performance of Vilva Aarti which is a generally performed in Shiva temples. Wheat Porridge is the special offering given to the deity and the idol is worshipped with Bilwa leaves. The temple is abuzz with tourists and devotees alike all through the year. Read More

Located in Nallur (also called Thirunallur) on the outskirts of Kumbakonam city, Kalyanasundaresar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The lingam of Lord Shiva enshrines the temple and is known as Kalyanasundaresar and his consort Goddess Parvathy is portrayed as Girisundari. Like the other Saivite temples in the area, this is also revered in the Tamil canonical work- Tevaram. The history of the temple is associated with sages Agastaya and Amaraneethi Nayanar, both of who were Tamil Saiva saints. The temple is believed to possess supernatural powers and as per common belief the shivling in the temple changes colour five times in a day. Boasting of three precincts and two elaborate gopurams (entrance towers), the main shrines are constructed on an artificial hilltop whereas the shrine of Goddess Kali is located in the basement on the last precinct. Kalyanasundaresar Temple is believed to have been built during the Chola Period in the 9th century; however, many modifications and alterations were made to the original structure during the reign of Vijayanagar Dynasty, Sungma kings, Suluva and Tuluva empires. The temple follows the six daily ritual pattern beginning at 5:30 AM in the morning and continuing till late at night. Read More

Located in the village of Kanjanur, 18 kms from the city of Kumbakonam, Kanjanur Sukran Temple (also known as Agneeswarar Temple) is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Sukra (celestial deity- Venus). However, the presiding deity of the shrine is Lord Shiva in the form of Agniswarar. The temple has been established with the common belief that Lord Shiva is all- pervading and that Venus (Sukra deity) is located within the stomach of Lord Shiva. Built during the times of medieval Cholas, the temple boasts of striking architectural finesse with a five tiered gopuram and two precincts. The construction of the shrine is believed to have been completed during the Vijayanagar Period and ever since, it is known by different names including Palaasavanam, Brahmapuri, Agnistalam and Neelakudi. Besides Lord Shiva enshrining the temple, there is also housed a spacious shrine for Goddess Parvathy in addition to several deities- Maanakkanjaarar, Nayanmaar and Kalikkaamar. The village of Kanjanur is popular for being one of the nine Navagraha sthalas in the Cauvery Delhi region dedicated to Venus and called Sukra. Unlike the other temples of its kind, Kajanur Sukran depicts a Shiva Linga to depict the Agniswarar. The shrine also boasts of stone images of Nataraja and Sivakami. The temple is a revered pilgrimage site and is thronged by devotees and tourists all through the year. Read More

Kashi Viswanath Temple is an important temple and is linked with the origins of the Mahamaham Festival. The temple another beautiful representation of Chola architecture is known to house the deities of all the river goddesses in Hindu mythology.

Located in the town of Thirubuvanam, 9 kms from Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, Kampaheswarar Temple (also known as Sarabeswarar Temple) is an age-old Shaivite temple flocked by devotees from all across the world all through the year. The temple is enshrined by Lord Shiva, worshipped in the form of a Shiva Linga. It is believed that Lord Shiva once relieved a king of quaking (kampa) as he was haunted by an evil spirit (Brahmarakshas) of a Brahmin who he killed accidentally. Ever since, Lord Shiva came to be known as Kampaheswarar and was worshipped in the same form at the temple. The Shiva linga is installed in the garbhagriha of the sanctum sanctorum on an elevated platform. Besides the chief deity, the temple also houses an enormous shrine for Sarbeswarar who is a half lion and half eagle. As per legend, the deity saved the celestial deities from the wrath of Vishnu in the form of Narasimha after he killed Hiranyakasibu. Built in the traditional Dravidian style architecture, the temple also boasts of beautiful sculptures of Sridevi and Bhudevi- consorts of Lord Vishnu. The shrine is popular among pilgrims and it is a common a belief that praying here can solve hurdles in marriages and help with child boon. Read More