Popularly recognized as Temple Town, Kumbakonam gets its name from the deity Lord Aadhi Kumbeshwarar. A traditional representation of South Indian Culture, the town is known for its temples, intricately carved panchaloha idols, exquisite brass wares especially lamps and silks. Surrounded by vast paddy fields, this city lies in a region which is also called Old Delta. It is one of the oldest towns in Indian history and has many famous educational institutes. One of the most exciting experiences here is the festival of Mahamaham which attracts tourists from the neck and breadth of the country. Tourists attend this festival to take a holy dip in the Mahamaham Tank and soak in the blessings.
Adi Kumbeswarar temple
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is located in the holy city of Kumbakonam. Adi Kumbeswara is the main deity of the temple. Adi is of primordial origin implies ancient or the first and the foremost. The Kumbeswarar is in Shiva Linga form which is formless and boundless. Aaru (formless) + uru (form) = aaruguru. The shape of the linga is of very special significance, it is a conical shaped lingam, This is a unique linga in the world. The Pururanas derive 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 “Kumbakonam ''
Kumbakonam Brahma temple
Kumbakonam Brahma Temple is a Hindu temple located in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. There are three sanctum sanctorum in the temple, the one for Lord Brahma with His consorts Mother Saraswathi and Mother Gayatri in a standing posture seeking the blessings of Lord Vedanarayana Perumal, the second for Lord Veda Narayanaperumal accompanied by His consorts Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi and the third is for Lord Yoga Narasimha with His two consorts. Thus, the devotee can have the darshan of three Lords in the temple.
Nageswaran temple
The Lord of the temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Thirunavukkarasar. This is the 27th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns. It is believed that the temple derived its name because a serpent was found worshipping the lingam. Nageswaran temple is world renowned for its architecture, including intricate works on its pillars and outer walls. The temple consists of three gopurams and a five tier Rajagopuram. The main and most important festival of the temple is the Theerthavari when the Lord comes to Mahamaham tank. Other festivals of the temple are Purattasi Navarathri in August-September; Margazhi Thiruvathirai in December-January and Panguni PeruVizha – Great Festival in March-April
Sarangapani temple
This temple is along Kaveri and is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams. The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar Empire and Madurai Nayaks. The glory of Lord Sarangapani is sung by almost all Vaishanava Azhwars – Poigai Azhwar, Madhurakavi Azhwar, Kulasekhara Azhwar, Tirupanazhwar, Thondaradipodi Azhwar, Peyazhwar, Bhoodhathazhwar, Tirumazhisai Azhwar, Nammazhwar, Periazhwar and Sri Andal. Lord Sarangapani blesses the devotees in His reclining form under the Vaidika Vimana – tower above the sanctum sanctorum. This is one of the 108 Divya Desas of Lord Vishnu.
Chakrapani temple
At a distance of 3 km from Kumbakonam Railway Station, Chakrapani Temple is a Hindu temple situated on the southern bank of Cauvery River in Kumbakonam of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. The temple is one of the most prominent temples in Kumbakonam. Devotees who had visited all the 16 Mahamaham temples, bathed in the Potramarai Tank (Golden Lotus tank) and in the holy Cauvery cannot claim they had been relieved of all adverse aspects of planets and other powers and therefore superior to others, because all these benefits go to Lord Chakrapani to whom these benefits should be surrendered.
