Kumbakonam is a town located in in Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu. This picturesque town is bound by the two rivers Cauvery & Arasalar.
Kumbakonam is famous for its ancient temples and is known as the temple town of the south. Living up to its nickname Kumbakonam has 188 Hindu temples. The most important temples in Kumbakonam are the Sarangapani Temple, the Kumbeswarar Temple and the Ramaswamy Temple. Kumbakonam was the capital of the Chola Kingdom in the 7th century. Most of the ancient Shiva temples and Vishnu temples found here belong to this period.
Kumbakonam is famous for the Mahamaham Festival that is celebrated once in 12 years. This festival attracts lakhs of devotees to the town. During the time of festival, pilgrims take bath in the Mahamaham tank. According to Hindu religion, all the rivers of India are believed to meet at the tank on this day and bathing in this holy water is equivalent to taking a dip in all the holy rivers and this will wash away sins of the past.
Top Tourist Places to Visit Near Kumbakonam
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple
Adi Kumbeswarar temple is the most famous temple in Kumbakonam. It is one of the important Shiva temples in South India. The temple is dedicated to Adhi Kumbeshwara Swamy who is the presiding deity along with Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika as his Consort. There are also shrines dedicated to Lord Muruga, Mangalambigai and Ganapati within the temple complex. This ancient temple is noted for its architectural splendour. The famous Mahamaham festival takes place in this temple which attracts lakhs of devotees.
Sarangapani Temple
It is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Sarangapani Temple is located at Kumbakonam Bazaar Street and is one of the famous Vaishnava temples in Tamil Nadu. The shrine is in the form of a chariot and Sri Sarangapani and Aravamudhan komalavalli are the presiding deities here. The temple is about 2000 years old and is also known for its 12 storeyed tall gopuram.
Chakrapani Temple
The temple is about 12 storeys high and was constructed by the Nayak kings in the 15th century. The main residing deity at the Chakrapani Temple is Chakraraja. Brahma, Surya and Agni are also depicted as worshipping the Lord here. Unique point about this temple is that "Vilva Archana" which is normally performed for Lord Shiva is also performed here for the God Vishnu.
Ramaswamy Temple
The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and Sita. Ramaswamy temple is located near Adi Kumbeswarar temple. This temple was built by Raghunatha, the Nayak of Thanjavur, who ruled from 1600 to 1635. The temple mandapam has intricately carved stone sculptures.
Nageswarar Temple
Nageswaran Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Naheshwarar Swamy is the main deity here. The temple was constructed by Aditya Chola during the 12th Century. The temple is a striking example of the great Chola architecture. It is believed that Adi Sesha and Surya had worshiped Sri Nageswara here. This Shiva temple contains a separate shrine for the sun and also a well in the temple is known as Naga Theertham.
Sankara Mutt
This mutt is located on the river banks of Cauvery. The mutt conducts many Veda Classes and religious preaching. Also seen in front of the mutt is the Brindavans of three Jagath Guru Acharyas.
Dharasura
Dharasura is located 4 km west of Kumbakonam. The main attraction here is the Airavateswarar Temple. The temple which was constructed in the 12th century by Rajaraja Chola II is a testimony of the splendid Chola architecture. This temple is dedicated to Shiva. He is worshipped as Airavateshvara. The outer walls of the temple are adorned with beautiful sculptures.
Kasi Viswanathar Temple
Kasi Viswanathar Temple is a Shiva temple where presiding deity is Kasi Viswanathar accompanied with Lord's consort Visalakshi. This temple is very near to the Mahamaham Tank. The significant point about this temple is the confabulation of nine holy rivers known as the Navakanniyar namely Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada, Kaveri, Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhatra and Sarayu.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Gangai Konda Chola Puram which means “The City of the Chola who took the Ganges” was the capital of Chola dynasty in the 11th century during the reign of Rajendra I. This place which served as the Chola capital for nearly 250 years has several magnificent temples which are testimony to the Chola architecture. The main attraction here is the Shiva temple which is similar to the beautiful Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur.
Swamimalai
This holy town is located west of the Kumbakonam town in the district of Tanjore on the banks of the River Cauvery. Swamimalai means "Mountain of the God". The place got its name from the Swaminathaswamy Temple which is a major pilgrimage site. The presiding deity is lord Muruga.
How to Reach Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam railhead is well connected by trains from Chennai, Quilon, Tirupathi and Rameshwaram. The nearest airport is Trichy Airport which is located at a distance of 96 km from Kumbakonam. The nearest major international airport is at Chennai at distance of 273 km from the destination. TamilNadu state transport corporation buses connect Kumbakonam with all cities and major towns in Tamil Nadu.
Where to stay on Kumbakonam
There are many mid rung as well budget hotels in Kumbakonam. Plenty of homestay options are also available within Kumbakonam town.