Kumbeswarar Temple

The Kumbeswara Temple is one of the oldest and largest temples located in Kumbakonam on the banks of river Kaveri. Situated in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, the Kumbeswara Temple is visited by thousands of devotees every year.

An important Saivite Temple, the Kumbeswara is situated at the heart of the city. The presiding deity of this temple is Kumbakonam. Adhi Kumbeswara is the Lord of this temple and Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika is the lord’s consort. The Kumbeswara Temple is an architectural marvel which reflects the typical characteristics of Dravidian architecture. The intricate artwork and beautiful sculptures mark the beauty of the temple.

There is an important Mahamaham Festival that takes place in the Kumbeswara Temple, Kumbakonam. This takes place once every 12 years during the Tamil month of Masi which is attended by several visitors. The festival is celebrated on the conjunction of the moon with the Mahanakshatra and Jupiter crosses one Rasi or sign in about one year. During the Mahamaham Festival, people take a bath in the holy waters of Kumbeswara Temple and it is believed that during this time the deities remain present on this occasion.

History of Kumbeswarar Temple

It is one of the 127 temples on the southern banks of the river Cauvery. It is mentioned as, ‘Thirukkudamooku’ in ‘Thevaram’ and at present, it is called Kumbakonam. It is a prime temple amidst the many temples in Kumbakonam. The presiding Murti(deity) is Adi Kumbeswarar and His consort is Mangalambika. It is also one of the 64 saktibheta sthala (Mantrabheta sthala). The Shiva Linga is slightly tilted at the top towards the left and hence the name Kumbakonam (Kumba – pot;konam -bend) and the deity Kumbeshwara.

During cosmic dissolution, a pot containing nectar (Amrita) was floating and Lord Shiva came in the disguise of a hunter and pierced the pot with an arrow, thereby making the nectar flow through its nostril on all sides. Hence this place is named Kudamooku (kuda – pot; mooku – nostril or tip).

The objects such as mango leaf, sacred grass (Tharppai), hoop (Uri), Bell tree leaf (Bilva), coconut, and the sacred thread (poonool)which adorning the pot fell into different places due to whirlwind. They appeared as Shiva linga and later on they became Siva temples. As per Puranas the genesis of life happened by the Thiru Vilaiaadal (divine play) of God Shiva here, and from here all the living beings originated.

Architecture of Kumbeswarar Temple

Capturing every traveler’s heart is the astounding architecture of the largest Shiva temple of Kumbakonam which stretches over an area of 2,803.9 square meters. Along with housing four gopurams, and 3 concentric compounds, the temple also boasts of its 100 m long and 4.6 m wide corridor.

A major attraction on your sightseeing tour to Kumbeswarar temple would be the silver-plated chariots and that too not 1 but 5 in number. The chariots are used during the festival time to carry the temple deities. The shrine of the presiding deity is set up in the center of this popular temple of Kumbakonam and his consort’s shrine is structured just parallel to his shrine. It is also said that Lord Shiva himself carved the lingam with mixed nectar or sand and immortality.