Kumbakonam is a town, 40 kms. from Thanjavur - the District headquarters, The town is bounded by two rivers, the Kaveri River to the north and Arasalar River to the south. Kumbakonam is known as a "temple town" due to the prevalence of a number of temples here and is noted for its Mahamaham festival which attracts people from all over the globe.
Kumbakonam dates back to the Sangam period and was ruled by the Early Cholas, Pallavas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Marathas. The town reached the zenith of its prosperity during the British Raj when it was a prominent centre of European education and Hindu culture, and it acquired the name, the 'Cambridge of South India".
How to get there
Air : Tiruchirappalli has an airport (80 kms.). Air India connects Trichy with Chennai, Sharjah, Kuwait, Colombo, Singapore and Malaysia.
Rail : Railway connects all important cities within the State and other States.
Local transport : City Bus Service to all places of Tourist interest from Kumbakonam Bus Stand.
Road : Good network of road links to all cities and towns.
PLACES OF INTEREST AT KUMBAKONAM
Mahamaham Mahamaham is a Hindu Kumbh Mela Festival celebrated once in 12 years at Kumbakonam, a temple town in Tamil Nadu, India. Hindus consider taking a holy dip at the Mahamaham Tank on the day of Mahamaham as sacred. The previous Mahamaham was celebrated on March 6, 2004, with people from various places taking a holy dip in the Mahamaham Tank. Now, it is held on February 22, 2016.
What Astrologers say
This Festival is celebrated at an interval of around eleven to twelve years. It takes place at a prescribed time determined by an astrological position which occurs when the sun is in the Zodiacal sign of Aquarius (Khumbha), Jupiter transists Leo (Simha) and the Moon is in conjunction with the lunar asterism (Maham nakshatra). Generally all these astronomical combinations take place on a full moon day in the Tamil Month of Masi (Solar Kumbha Month) ie. either in the later half of February or in the first half of March.
What Lord Brahma said
According to a legend, people were washing their sins in the holy rivers of India, namely, the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sarayu, Godavari, Mahanadhi, Narmada, Pavoshnl and Kaveri. These rivers wanted to get rid of their sins and approached Lord Brahma, the Creator. Lord Brahma advised these rivers to converge and take a dip at the Mahamaham during the Mahamaham Festival, it is believed that taking a holy dip in the Mahamaham Tank is equivalent to taking a dip in the waters of rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sarayu, Godavari, Mahanadhi, Narmada, Pavoshnl and kaveri individually, since the tank is a confluence of all these rivers and hence purificatory.
Abodes of Siva
Siva (A Hindu God) is worshipped in all the 12 Temples at Kumbakonam. 10f them surrounding the Tank. Devotees pay obeisance to the God as th participate in the Theerthavari or purificatory bath.
The 12 Temples dedicated to Lord Siva are
The Kasi Viswanathar Temple, The Kumbeswarar Temple, The Nageswarar Temple, The Someswarar Temple, The Koteeswarar Temple, The Kalahasteeswarar Temple, The Temple, The Abimukeswarar Temple, The Adhi Kambatta Viswanathar Temple, The Gowthameswarar Temple, The Amirthakalasanathar Banapuriswärar Temple, The Ekambareswarar Temple.
Abodes of Vishnu
There are five temples in Kumbakonam dedicated to Lord Vishnu (A Hindu God) and whose worship forms an integral part of the purificatory procedure. The Temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu are:
The Sarangapani Temple
The Chakrapani Temple
The Ramaswamy Temple
The Rajagopalaswamy Temple
The Varahaperumal Temple.
The Mahamaham Tank has 20 Wells or Theerthams (Holy Water) which are named after 20 holy rivers flowing across India. People drench themselves with waters from these wells. Waters from each Well are said to eradicate a specific sin and hestow a special blessing.
The 20 Theerthams at the Mahaamaham Tank
Indra Theertham - provides moksham (salvation)
Agni Theertham - rids Brahmahatthi dosham
Yama Theertham - rids fear of death
Nruthi Theertham - rids from fear of evil spirits
Varuna Theertham - provides long life
Vaayu Theertham - rids diseases
Gubera Theertham - provides prosperity
Isaana Theertham - moksham (to reach Lord Siva's feet)
Brahma Theertham - pacifies ancestors
Gangai Theertham - provides Kailasa padhavi
Yamuna Theertham - provides wealth
Godavari Theertham - fulfills wishes
Narmada Theertham - provides physical strength
Saraswathi Theertham - provides Gnaanam (enlightenment)
Cauveri Theertham - provides knowledge
Kumari Theertham - blessings to pets
Payodini Theertham - provides joy
Sarayu Theertham - removes mental strain
Arubathaaru (66) kodi Theertham - removes grief & provides happiness
Deva Theertham / Naaga Theertham - rids of all sins & provides Devendra's post /rids of Kaala Sarpa dosham.
After a dip in the Mahamaham Tank, devotees usually take a dip at the Potraamarai Kulam & the Cauvery river to complete the ritual. 16 Mandapas (Gopuram Towers) surround the corners and sides of the Tank. These towers are considered to be forms of Lord Siva.
Names of the Gopuram Towers
Brammatheertheshwarar
Gangatheshwarar
Mukundeshwarar
Mukthatheertheshwarar
Dhaneshwarar
Shethrabaleshwarar
Virushabeshwarar
Baaneshwarar
Koneshwarar
Bhakthikeshwarar
Bhairaveshwarar
Agasthyeshwarar
Vyaneshwarar
Umaibakeshwarar
Nairutheeshwarar
Brammeshwarar
PLACES TO VISIT NEAR KUMBAKONAM
Big Temple
The Brahadeeswarar Temple, called the Big Temple, is dedicated to Lord Siva It was built by the great Chola King Raja Raja 1 (985 -1012 A.D) and is an outstanding example of Chola architecture. Recognizing its unique architectural excellence, UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Monument.
The 64.8 meters tall vimanam (tower over the sanctum sanctorum) stands testimony to the engineering skills of the Cholas. In keeping with the size of the Temple, it has a gigantic "Mahalingam" in the shrine, measuring 4 meters in height. A monolithic Nandhi chiseled out of a single rock, measures 5.94 meters in length, 2.51 metres in breadth and 3.66 meters in height and is the second largest Nandhi in India. The Nandhi or the sacred bull is the vehicle of Lord Siva.
What makes the construction so unique is the variation in the Gopuram and the Vimanam. At the Big Temple, the vimanam soars high while the gopuram is smaller. The 64.8 m tall, 14 tier pyramid shaped vimanam raised from a square base is topped by a huge monolithic cupola carved from an 81.3 tonne block of granite.
Beautiful Chola fresco paintings adorn the inner walls of the Temple and is a veritable treat to the eyes.
The Thanjavur Palace
Just 1 km away from the Brahadeeswarar Temple is a magnificent palace, surrounded by huge fort walls. Dating back to the 14th century A.D., it was built partly by the Nayaks and partly by the Marathas. The Maratha royal family continue to reside here. It is a fascinating building with huge corridors. spacious halls, decorated rooms, tall observation towers, beautiful stucco works, wonderful fresco painted walls and ceilings, an underground tunnel and intricate carvings. The royal family's sacred "Chandramauleshwarar T'empie is located within the palace walls.
The Art Gallery
The art gallery has a fabulous collection of bronze icons, stone sculptures and pieces of art. The Collection is unique for its representation of Hindu gods and goddesses, myths and legends. The exhibits are priceless for their historical association.
Royal Museum & Serfoji Memorial Hall
From a large impression of the king himself on an elevation, a fabulous collection of (mostly) bronze statues, besides ancient coins dating from the second century, Thanjavur style paintings, and that of Carnatic music trinity-Thyagaraja, Shyama Shastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar and the famed 60,000 volumes of palm leaf and paper in the fumed library- this venue is an absolute delight from the word go.
Saraswathi Mahal Library
Thanjavur Serfoji's Mahal The Maharaja Saraswathi Library is one among the few libraries in the world with texts of the medieval period. It is a house treasure of knowledge carefully fostered and nurtured by successive dynasties of Nayaks and Marathas of Thanjavur. It contains a rare and the valuable collection of manuscripts in multiple languages, books, physiognomy charts, astrology scrolls, atlases and paintings on all aspects of Art, Culture and Literature, The Encyclopedia Britannica, in its survey of the Libraries of the world, describes it as "the most remarkable Library." The Saraswathi Mahal Library became a Public Library in 1918.
Maratha Darbar Hall
With its huge piļlars, beautiful stucco paintings and fresco-painted ceiling, this hall is truly eye-catching.
Sangeetha Mahal
The Palace is home to the Sangeetha Mahal - an acoustically perfect music hall. It is a striking example of the engineering skills of ancient builders.
Guru Sthalam
Thittai is a small village located 11 kms from Thanjavur. The main attraction of this temple is Guru Bhagavan (Dhakshanamoorthy). Local people call this temple as Thittai Guru temple. In this temple Dhakshanamoorthy is in the form of Raja Guru and is considered as the 'Gurusthalam' (Abode of Jupiter). The shrine attracts a large number of devotees when Jupiter transists between zodiac signs. Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, is said to have reborn here, on the banks of Amrita Pushkarini with the temple precints before being reunited with Shiva.
Schwartz Church
The 18th-century Christ Church or Schwartz Church, a legacy of Tanjore colonial past, stands to the east of the Shivaganga Tank. This Church was founded by the Danish missionary, Reverend Frederik Christian Schwartz, in 1779. When he died in 1798, the enlightened Maratha ruler, Serfoji II, donated a striking marble tablet, made by John Flaxman and this has been placed at the western end of the Church. It depicts the dying missionary blessing his royal patron, surrounded by ministers and pupils from the School that he established.
Rajarajan Mani Mandapam
It is in the southern part of Thanjavur. It was built during the 8th World Tamil Conference in 1995. This Manimandapam has a museum in the ground floor.
Sivaganga Tank This water tank lies beyond the North west compound of Brahadeeswarar Temple. It is surrounded by large walls and is known for it's sweet water. Rajagopala Beerangi (Cannon) This is a huge cannon placed at the eastern gate of the Fort. The place is called "Beerangi Medu'. The Cannon is amazing in size and the quality speaks of the metallurgical knowledge of the people of those times. The Beerangi is the biggest in India. Tholkappiyar Sadukkam This Sadukkam (Square) was built during the 8th World Tamil Conference. One can have a panoramic view of Thanjavur town from the tower. Tamil University Established here in 1981, the Tamil University is engaged in research and advanced studies in Tamil. It is devoted to the cause of promoting Tamil Literature and Language. It enables advanced studies in Tamil like Literature, Grammar, Linguistics, Religion and Philosophy, Manuscriptology, History, Epigraphy, Sociology, Folklore, Anthropology, Arts, Sculpture, Music, Drama, Legal Studies, Administration, Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Medical Science, Encyclopedia and Adult Education. Poondi Matha Basilica The Poondi village is about 35 kms. from Thanjavur and the nearest Railway Station is Budalur. It is a Roman Catholic Pilgrim Centre like Velankanni Accommodation is provided to the pilgrims by the Church Authorities.
Thirukarugavur
The Arulmigu Mullaivananathar and the Karpagarakshambigai temples are situated in the riverbed of River Vettaru, a branch of the Cauvery, at a distance of 20 kms northeast of Thanjavur and at a distance of 20 kms southwest from Kumbakonam.
Thirukarugavur is an ancient and has been extensively quoted by the Great Shaivite saints Thirugnana Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar, who wrote about the deities here-Eswara Mullaivananathar and the Goddess Gharbharakshambigai.
Patteeswaram
Sri Durgai Amman Temple is situated at Patteeswaram, a village near Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu, India. This Durga when worshipped by the Cholas and was considered very powerful.
Manora
Rajah Serfoji built this 8-storey vietory tower in 1814 to commemorate the victory of the British over Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo. A stone inscription announcing the same "a friend and ally of the British to commemorate triumphs of British Arms and downfall of Bonaparte," can be found here, Situated on the shore of Bay of Bengal in Sarabendrajanpathinam village about 20 km. south of Pattukottai Town, in Tanjore Dist. Manora is a grand and gregarious old town with lovely architecture and ambience. This ancient Fort Monument derives its name from the word Minar which means tower.
This 140 feet tall minar is a hexagon shaped 10 storeyed Fort and resembles a pagoda with its arched windows, a circular staircase and eaves separating one storey from the other.
Papanasam
Papanasam (30 kms) from Thanjavur is home to The Palaivana Natha Swamy Temple constructed by the Chola King and Sivalayam, the only temple with 108 Sivalingams (Symbol of Lord Siva). You can also find the Granary (storehouse of paddy) which measure 86 feet in width and has a height of 36 feet with a capacity of 3,000 kalam (a measure). Constructed by the Nayaks between 1600-1634, it is maintained by the State Archaeological Department.
Swamimalai
Swamimalai is 32 kms from Thanjavur. It is one of the six abodes or Arupadaiveedu dedicated to Lord Subramanya.
Darasuram
Built by Raja Raja Chola II, The Airavateswara or Darasuram Temple is an excellent example of 12th century Chola architecture and is an UNESCO World Heritage Monument.
The frontal columns of the temple have unique miniature sculptures and is sheer poetry in stone. During the 14th century the large stone statues surrounding the temple were replaced with brick and mortar statues similar to those found at the Big Temple in Thanjavur.
Uppiliyappan Koil
Uppiliyappan Koil is 6 kms from Kumbakonam and 46 kms from Thanjavur. Lord Venkatesa Perumal like the Tirupathi Balaji, is also called Oppil UpPper.
Thiruvidai Maruthur
Thiruvidai Maruthur is about 8 kms from Kumbakonam and 48 kms from Thanjavur. The River Cauvery passes through this village which is also called Madhyarjunam. The presiding deity at the Temple here is Mahalingeswarar and Goddess Perunamulaiyammai.
NAVAGRAHA TEMPLES
There is a cluster of Navagraha (nine planets) Temples near Kumbakonam. Each temple is located in a different village. Each of these temples is considered an abode of one of the Navagrahams. However, the majority of these are dedicated to Shiva.
Tirunageshwaram
This Temple has a shrine dedicated to Raahu, one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagrahams. Legend has it that the mythological serpents Aadiseshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Lord Shiva here. Legend also has it that King Nala worshipped Shiva here as in Tirunallar.
Tirunallar
This is the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Sani (Planet Saturn). When the planet Saturn transits between zodiac signs, literally millions throng this shrine. The legendary King Nala is said to have been relieved of his afflictions which were due to the malefic influence of Saturn, after worshipping here. Of the numerous tanks (theertams), the Nala Theertam is the most important one. By bathing here, it is believed that one is washed away of all kinds of misfortune and affliction.
Keezhaperumpallam
This is an ancient Saivite temple where legend has it Kethu, that the planetary node of the nine celestial bodies worshipped Lord Shiva. Rahu and Kethu other associated legend of the churning of the milky ocean by Lord Shiva. There is a shrine dedicated to Kethu in this Temple.
Vaitheeswaran Koil
In Vaitheeswaran Koil, there is a special shrine dedicated to Ankarakan or Chevvaai (mars). The belief is that offering prayers to Ankarakan will bestow valour, victory and strength. Upon entering the Temple, devotees first go to the Siddhamrita Tank. The water is said to have curative properties for various skin ailments. There is also a widespread belief that a visit here would remove obstacles which delay marriage.
Suryanar Koil
Situated from 21 kilometres Swamimalai is the Suryanar built Kulothunga Chola 1 in the year 1100 AD. This Temple is dedicated to Sun God Koil King by Surya- known as the giver of health, success and prosperity. Every year, the Harvest Festival is celebrated here as thanks giving ritual.
Alangudi
Called the 'Gurustalam' (Abode of Jupiter) Lord Dakshinamurthy is held in great reverence here, The shrine attracts number of devotees when a large Jupiter transists between the zodiac signs. Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, is believed to have been reborn on the banks of Amrita Pushkarini within the temple precincts before being reunited Shiva.
Thingaloor
Though there is ambiguity about when this Temple was built, historians agree that, it must have been in existence since before the beginning of the Bhakti period (before the seventh century AD). Dedicated to the Moon Sanskrit and Thingal in Tamil), a visit to this Temple is said to grant a comfortable and long life. In astrology, Chandra is the planet that removes stress and sorrow.
Kanchanur
This Sivasthalam is associated with Sukran (Venus) and is maintained by the Madurai Adhinam. Located at Tiruvaavaduthurai, the Shrine here is also referred to as Palaasavanam, Agnisthalam. Lord Brahma (the creator) is said to have been blessed with a vision of Siva's marriage with Parvati here. Men visit this Temple to pray for the well-being of their wife.
Tiruvenkadu
There is reference to this temple in the Valmiki Ramayana. Therefore it is said that the oldest part of the temple is more than 3000 years old. Dedicated to Budhan (Mercury), this temple in Tiruvenkadu makes up the last of the Navagraha Temples. Budhan is said to bestow wisdom and intellect.
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