TEMPLES INKUMBAKONAM AATHI KUMBESWARAR TEMPLE /“ Y Aathi Kumbeswarar Temple is the major one among the saivite temples and located in the centre of Kumbakonam at Big Bazaar street. Shri Aathi Kumbeswara is the presiding deity of Kumbakonam and Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika is the lord's consort. Aathi is primodal origin implies ancient or the first and the foremost. The Kumbeswarar is in Shivalinga form which is a formless form called aaru (formless) + uru (form) = aaruuru. The shape of the linga is of very special significance it is of conical shaped lingam. This is a unique linga in the world. The Paramas derives the meaning of the shape and the name. The city name Kumbakonam itself is derived from the name of God Kumba and the slight angle of the linga and hence the name. (© Scanned with OKEN ScannerTEMPLES IN KUMBAKONAM a7 temples on the Southern banks of the hone ne ie ple amidst many temples in na itis al he 64 'Saktibheta Sthala’ al) ae seat Se sober apot containing nectar (arta) a ord Shiva came in the disguise of a hunter th an arrow, thereby making the nectar to jaw trough ts nostril named Kudamooku (Kuda - pot; mooku Jo alor tip). The objects such as mango leaf sacred grass ‘erp, hoop (ur), Bell ree leaf (viva), coconut and the ‘Seered tread poonodl) which adoring the pot fel nto different places due to whi wind. Tey appeared as Sivalingas ander bn they became Siva temples. As per puranas the genesis of tfehappened by the Thirwilaiaadal of God Shiva here, and from here athe living beings’ originated. Mangala Theertham, marriage hall and small temple for Muruga, Ganapathi and Mangalambigai are other major constituents of this temple. This temple outer prahara has an important shrine called as Kumba Muni Siddhar. Aathi Kumbeswarar Temple is located in Thanjavur main road of Kumbakonam city. It is 2 km from Kumbakonam Bus Terminal. The bus stop is called 'Mottai Gopuram’ bus stop. ‘Many bus go via this bus stop. Nearby temples are Ramaswamy Temple, Bramman Temple, Someswarar Temple and Chakrapani Temple, Autorickshaw, mini cen tals mints, town bs ere the modes you can prime tem so one of t! was floating an and pierced the pot wil KASI ISWANATHAR TEMPLE fo Kasi Viswanathar Temple is situated very close to Mahamaham tank and another \ one temple is placed in Solaiyappan Street. The main deity Kasi Viswanathar resides (© Scanned with OKEN ScannerBALASARMA a in the temple with the Goddess Vishalakshi Amman. The important and peculiar point about this temple is the Navakanniyar, which are the 9 holy rivers. Itis believed that the. mahamaham function is closely associated with the 9 presidin Gtes namely Ganga, Yamune, Naramace, Saraswal,Kavery, Godavari, Tungabhatra, Krishna and Sarayu. Another important partis the stala lingam present in the southern part of the temple. twas worshipped by Ravana and is believed to grow with ages. Kasi Viswanathar temple is very near to Mahamagam tank It is less 2 km away from Kumbakonam bus terminal There are lot of town and mini buses available for this temple. The bus stop name is Mahamagam Tank or | Kumbakonam head post office. NAGESWARAN TEMPLE Nageswaran temple is dedicated to Shiva in the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king. Also known as ‘Koothandavar Kovil itis located near the Kumbakonam old bus stand. Aditya Chola constructed this temple during the 12th century. It stands as a great marvel of Chola architecture, building technology and astronomy. The design and orientation are structured in such @ way thatt allows sunlight inside the temple only during the Tari month of Chithirai (April/ May), therefore, itbears another name called Surya kottam or Keelkottam. The Karuvarai (Sanctum Sanctorum) of Nageswaran temple is similar to that of Sarangapani Temple, as itis made inthe form of a chariot. The temple consist of three gopurams in the western and southern directions. “This vast temple known is forts shrine to Raghu, one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagraha. A! legend has it that the mythological serpents Adiseshan, Dakshan ‘and Kaarkotakan (© Scanned with OKEN Scannerworshipped Shiva here. Legend also has it that King Nal worshipped Shiva here as in Thirunallar. Nageswarar Swamy is the main deity of the temple Nageswaran. The deity is Linga (form of God Shiva). The main deity resides into the chariot mandapam. The goddess of the Nageswarar Swamy is Perianayagi Amman. Nageswarar temple is about 2 kms from Kumbakonam bus terminal amidst of the busy business center of Kumbakonam. Infact the temple is the center of todays main business street. The bus stop is very near to the temple and there are lot of buses available for this temple get down at Diamond Hall / theatre just 2 mins walk to reach the temple. In city transports like auto, town buses etc. are the best ways to reach the temple. scanned with OKEN ScannerBALASARMA 9 BANA PUREESWARAR TEMPLE During the pralaya the puranakurnbam (amirtharn in a pot - bow! of nectar) moved from Mahameru to south direction and reached Kumbakonam, Shiva in the form of Kiratharmurthy (as hunter) aimed the Puranakumbam with the bow and arrow (banam in Sanskrit language) and breaked it, the bow/ split and the Amirtham got stagnated in two places at Potramaraikulam (golden lotus pond) and Mahamahamkulam. ‘A Shivalinga formed at the place where kirathamurthy aimed the Amirthakudam. Since the Lord used the arrow (Banam) the deity Lingam is called Banapureeswara, ‘The Rajagopuram has 3 stages with Vyasa worshipping Banapureeswarar as per Lord Ganesh advice to get relief from the curse and Shiva in hunter form aiming the Amirthakalasam (bow! of nectar) in the first stage of the Rajagopuram. Pulikal Munivar (saint with tiger legs), a great Shiva devotee performs daily Shiva Pooja by offering flowers and vilva (bell tree leaves) from a nearby forest. In order to avoid attacks from the wild animals and requested the Lord Shiva to change his legs to tiger legs so that the movement of the saint will not be noticed by the wild life. The temple is located on the northern part of Kumbakonam city, reachable via Govt men’s college. It is 1 km, away from the bus stand. S SOMESWARAR TEMPLE This temple is known as Kudanthai Karonam and located near Potramarai Kulam. The Sikkam (threads) around the Amirthakalasam (the nectar pot) fallen here and took a shape of Linga and hence known as Sikkeshwarar. (© Scanned with OKEN ScannerFy ‘Once Chandran (Moon god) due to Guru's (Brahaspathi) curse arrived Kumbakonam and worshipped the Lord Shiva Sikkeshwarar, he created a holy water source for the worship, this tank was known as Chandrapushkarani (does not exist now). Thirumalanavar worshipped Somanathar and received the boon to get victory over Asuras. He also built a shrine for Maleeswarar (a Linga) and Mangala Nayagiamman. Paranthaka Chola king constructed a shrine for Choleeswara and Tripurasundari Amman for want of a child. ‘One among the Navagraha - Guru (God of planet Jupiter)worshipped the main deity Someshwarar and hence the Lingam is also known as Vyazha Someshwarar (Guru's Sikkeshwarar). ‘Shivagami and Nataraja can be seen. Kodipanchagraha temple is also present. Sambandar's beautiful idol is seen. Thirupathigam (hymn’s of Nalvarjin the form of epigraph is found in this temple. Sees “ (© Scanned with OKEN ScannerBALA SARMA 11 The main deity is in Linga form and the Banam (prominent cylindrical structuie of Linga) is of special type known as Narmadhai banam. The Murugan is in the form of Arumugan (6 faces and 12 hands) in a sitting pose over his vaghana (ambassador) a Mayil (peacock), his legs were decorated with Patharatchai (shoe). Saint Arunagirinathar has sung a hymn about this Arumugan of this temple in his work Thirupugazh. Thirugnana Sambandar has sung a hymn about this temple deity. Situated near Sarangapani Temple at the central zone of Kumbakonam city on the Thanjavur main road, a pproximately 1.5 k.m from the new bus stand. © Scanned with OKEN ScannerBALASARMA \ IRAVADHEESWARAR SHIVA TEMPLE lravadheeswarar Shiva temple is located at Dharasuram, 3 kms from Kumbakonam (Kumbakonam - Papanasam Bus route). The main deity of this temple is Iravadheeswarar with Dhaivanayaki amman. The temple is a sculptural gallery and a recognised UNESCO World Heritage monument. Iravatham, the white coloured elephant of Indhran, lost its white colour due to a curse of sage Dhurvasar. It prayed Shiva of this palce and got its colour back. So the name of Shiva here is Iravadheeswarar. ‘Anasura named Thara worshipped Shiva here alongwith his 100 wives and so the name Tharasuram. Built by Raja Raja Chola Il, this is one of the four temples along with Tanjore Brahadeeswarar (Raja Raja Chola), Gangai Konda Cholapuram (Rajendhra Chola) and Thirubhuvanam (Kulothunga Chola II!) which are built by the four Chola kings as a show of their kingdom's artistic and architectural skill. This (© Scanned with OKEN ScannerTEMPLES IN KUMBAKONAN, 20 cctural and sculptural work temple is more popular for ar hip and divinity. than wore temple is full of intricate sculptural works carved al inch of empty space. It will take without leaving even an It fa hours to completely see the sculptural works. The main mantapa is called Raja Gambira as the elephant, draws the cnariot, A mantapa has been specially built for Lord Sarabheshwara, There are musical steps. There are many miniature carvings in the size of match stick. J ESWARAM / PATTIE! “The name Patteeswaram was derived from the daughter of the Divine cow Kamadhenu Patti who worshipped the lord here. . Patteeswaram is 6 kms from Kumbakonam, very near to Dharasuram. Some temples at Patteeswaram. a) Dhenupureeswarar Temple: ‘The main deities ofthis temple is Swayambu linga known as Patteeswarar, Dhenupureeswarar with Amman Gnanambikai Palvalai Nayaki. One of the 275 Thevara Padal Petra sthalam. This was conce the capital of Chola king in the name Pazhayaral. This is a typical big Chola temple with lots of beautiful = intrinsic sculptures, pillars and mandapams. Spread over acre area with 4 Rajagopurams on four directions and 3 Praharams, . b) Durgai temple a A ve Dey ‘Amman shrine, as an annexe to the r temple is nowadays high! 4 28 a Sparao temple fis nm, ny (more) Popul (© Scanned with OKEN Scanner