Thirubhuvanam

Saivite Temples, Thanjavur District

God

Kambahareswarar, facing east

Goddess

Dharmasamvardhini (also Aram Valartha Nayagi), facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Sarabamurthy, Nataraja, Chandikeswara

Thirubhuvanam is a massive temple with a wide and tall 5 tiered Rajagopuram that greets you from a distance. You enter to see an excellent and surprising visual experience. Thirubhuvanam temple is built in a similar style of the Brahadeeswara and Gangaikonda Cholapuram temples with a very tall and huge Vimaanam. A single huge and spaciou Prakaram houses the magnificent Sanctum sanctorum. Mantapas with beautifully carved pillars and other sculptures are trulu awe inspiring. The Sarabeswara Shrine here is as important as that of the main deity and is quite popular for worship too.

Holy water (Theertham) – Saraba Theertham, Deva Theertham, Gnana Theertham, Vyasa Theertham, Brigu Theertham, Sidha Theertham and more

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

As per inscriptions found in the south wall of the Thirubhuvanam temple, the shrine was constructed by Kulothunga Chola III (1176 CE) as a memorial of his successful North Indian campaign. There are many other inscriptions from here at Thirubhuvanam among which a few are in Tamil from the period of Jatavarman Tribuvanachakravarthin Parakrama Pandyadeva.

Legend

Vishnu, Brahma, Prahalad, Varaguna Pandian, and others have prayed here at Thirubhuvanam. Vishnu in Narasimha Avatar having killed Hiranyakashipu is said to have been calmed here at Thirubhuvanam by Lord Shiva by appearing as Sarabamurthy (Sarabeswara – a fusion of Man, Eagle and Lion forms). Asuras Ashwakreevan, Virushabakreevan, and Vyazhakreevan are believed to have prayed to the lord here at Thirubhuvanam for getting Gold, Silver and Iron Forts respectively.

Varaguna Pandya who ruled Madurai is said to have incurred the curse of Brahma for running his chariot over a human and killing him. His body started shivering and his mind wandered away. In his confused state he roamed and upon reaching the Thiruvidaimarudur temple he found some peace, but the shivering body and confused state could not be controlled. From the back entrance he proceeded further and reached Thirubhuvanam which is in a near straight line. The moment he entered the sanctum sanctorum his shivering stopped and upon worshiping the goddess he remembered he was a King and got back all his mental and physical strength. Kambam in Tamil means Shivering and thus the name of the Lord here. The goddess Aram Valartha Nayaki received her name because she restored the King to perform his duties.

Directions

Thirubhuvanam is about 9 kilometers from Kumbakonam on the Mayiladuthurai road.

Stay and Food

None locally at Thirubhuvanam. Closest is Kumbakonam.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples