History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Festivals, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
Kumbeswarar temple also popular as Adi Kumbeshwara Temple or Thirukudamooku is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in temple town - Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. Shiva here is worshipped as Adi Kumbeswarar or Amutheswarar and Goddess Parvati as Mangalambigai Amman or Manthra Peeteswari in this ancient historical temple. The temple is associated with grand celebration of Mahamaham festival held at every 12 years when millions of devotee and tourist gather here. In Thanjavur and Kumbakonam visit, Kumbeswarar temple is one of the most prominent site and pilgrimage attraction. The glory of temple deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Nayanmars Tamil saint poets. This temple is part of Saptha Sthana temples of Kumbakonam. Here in temple Lord Kumbeswarar is present the form a lingam which is believed to have been made by Shiva with mixture of nectar of immortality and sand. The swayambhu Lingam is broad at the bottom and narrows at the top is one of the rare in the world.
The Kumbeswarar temple was built by Chola ruler during 9th Century, and has been maintained and expanded by Nayak’s during the 15-17th Century. This architecture spectacular temple is key attraction since more than thousand year and largest Shiva Temple of city. Temple campus spread across 30,181 sq ft and four entrance tower – Gopuram. Tallest one is at eastern side of 11 stories and a height of 128 feet.
Another key attraction of temple campus is sixteen pillared hall which is elaborated with a stone which has 27 stars and 12 zodiac signs chiselled on it.
There are several shrine in temple campus along with the main shrine Kumbeswarar and Mangalambigai Amman. Other important shrines of Jurahareswarar who is known to cure fever. Devotees from different parts of the world visit the temple to pray him to cure fever. Other shrine of Lord Vinayaka, Lord Murugan, Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu etc. are located in temple campus.
As per Hindu Mythology, when the world was destroying due to the tsunami, Lord Brahma the god of creation approached to Lord Shiva to know how he can recreate it. Lord Shiva told him to make a magic pot with the sand collected from the various worshipping places and make that pot to float in the flood water. When the pot was flowing, at one place the pot stopped flowing so Lord Shiva shot an arrow to the pot. The nectar spilled and spread on all directions. The nectar mixed with the sand and became a Lingaa, today known as Kumbeswarar.
The Pottramarai Tank is in front of the Temple. The devotes who visit during the festival of Mahamagam festival like Kumbh mela which occurs in North at every 12 years, they take a dip in the tank to become Mahadev secure. As the Lingaa is of sand, no Abhishek is performed here only Tirumanjanam is applied.
How to reach Sri Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is situated on Thanjavur main road of Kumbakonam city. It is just 2 km from Kumbakonam Bus Terminal and 2.5 km from railway station. As Kumbakonam is one of the major pilgrimage and tourist attraction of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu so it is very well connected with all major cities of India by Road, Rail and Air network. Tiruchirappalli international airport is the nearest at 90 lm from Kumbakonam from where you can get bus or cab to reach city easily. Kumbakonam has major railway station from where you can find trains to reach Bangalore, Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, and various other cities. The road network is spread widely which connects to all major cities of Tamil Nadu via state and national highway and also regular buses are available for nearby cities, including Pondicherry and Trichy.
