Kumbeswarar Kumbakonam

Padal Petra Sthalam, Thanjavur District

God

Kumbeswarar (also Amudheswarar, Kuzhagar), facing east

Goddess

Mangalambigai, facing east

Other Deities

Vinayaga, Muruga, Sattainadar, Veerabadra, Ashtalingam, Sapthamaadar, Mahalingeswarar, Pitchadanar, Lingams installed by others, Annapoorani, Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi, Bhairava, Jurahareswarar, Saastha, Surya, Chandran, Nataraja, Nalvar, 63 Nayanmars, Visalakshi, Visvanathar, Valam Chuzhi Vinayaka, Jasta Devi, Durga, Chandikesa, Kuratirtha, Arukala Vinayakar, Sabha Vinayaka, Navaneetha Vinayaka, Vallabha Ganapathi, Mutra Veli Vinayaka, Vanni Vinayakar, Kiratamurti, Navagraha, Lakshmi Narayana Perumal, Bala Dandayutapani, Kumbha Munisiddhar, Kumarappar, Adilinga

Kumbeswarar Kumbakonam is a huge temple with a massive 9 tier Rajagopuram facing east. The name of the town is from this temple’s lord. The temple complex covers an area of more than 30,000 sq ft and has 4 Rajagopurams in the four directions with the tallest 9 tiered 128 feet tall one in the east. Kumbeswarar Kumbakonam complex has many Mantapas, the most notable being the sixteen-pillared one built during the Vijayanagar period that has all the 27 stars and 12 zodiacs sculpted in a single stone. The architectural and sculptural wealth of the temple is vast.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Mahamaham Holy Pond, Cauvery

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vanni (Prosopis cineraria)

History

Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) have visited and rendered Thevaram Hymns for the lord here at Kumbeswarar Kumbakonam. The present masonry structure was built during the Chola rule in the 9th century, later expansions were performed by Vijayanagar Kings and Thanjavur Nayaks during the 16th century CE.

Legend

Lord Shiva is believed to have smashed the pot containing Amrut (Ambrosia) and the seeds for the recreation of the world which is said to have come to rest here at Kumbeswarar Kumbakonam and spilling the nectar in mainly two places – here and in the Mahamaham tank. Five drops are also considered to have fallen in other places around Kumbakonam which are Thirunageswaram, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Darasuram, Swamimalai and Koranattukaruppur.

Directions

Kumbeswarar Kumbakonam is in the center of the town and you cannot miss it.

Stay and Food

Kumbakonam has many good hotels and restaurants in various categories. As this is a very busy area it is advisable to make bookings well ahead. Mangalambika Mess at the beginning of the long passage leading to the eastern entrance is an excellent place to eat.

Padal Petra Sthalams