This is the largest and the oldest Shiva temple located in the center
of the town of Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord
Kumbeswara and the presiding Goddess is Sri Mangalambigai. There is a
shrine dedicated to Adi Vinayaka (Lord Ganesh).
The temple contains some wonderful pieces of sculpture and
architecture. Its main Gopuram is 128 feet high and has many intricately
carved sculptures on it. On a single block of stone in the Navarathri
Mandapam all the 27 stars and 12 Rasis or Rashis (signs) have been
carved out. The image of Lord Subrahmanya, enshrined in the part of the
temple, is a rare specimen. It has six heads but only six hands holding
different kinds of weapons. There is an excellent collection of silver
vahanas (palanquins) used to carry the deities at festival times.
History Of The Temple
A Chola King built the temple and the temple building itself would seem
to have been renovated by the Nayak King. Some of the old images like "Sri
Ambal", "Sri Durgaiamman" and "Sri Kirathamoorti"
bear the impress of the antiquity about them.
Legend Connected With The Temple
Tradition goes to say that during the 'Mahapralaya' (GreatFloods) after
Dwaparayuga, a 'Kumbam' (Pot) full of amirtham and seeds for creation
was set afloat by Lord Shiva. It was proclaimed by Shiva Himself that
the place where the pot touched theground and had its rest would be
considered as the holiest places in the world.
The nectar settled at two places one of which became the famous
Mahamaham Tank. Out of the pieces of the broken pot Lord Shiva made out
a ShivaLinga and entered into it. This is now enshrined in the temple,
and hence the name Adi Kumbeswara, meaning - one who entered the Kumba
or vessel long long ago.
Since the said Kumbam, as announced by the creator of the world, had
its rest in this place, this ancient place is named as "Kumbakonam"
after that Kumbam. Immediately after its rest Lord Shiva appeared in the
guise of a hunter and broke thesaid Kumbam full of Amirtham with his
arrow.
It is to be noted that this MahaLinga unlike other Lingas found in
other temples, is not made of granite stone and as such Abishekams
cannot be performed with watery substances lest it should dissolve the
shape of the Linga (also spelt as lingam).
The Saivaite Saints, Appar and Sambandhar who flourished prior to the
7th century AD has sung devotional songs (Thevarams) in praise of the
presiding deities of the temple.
The idol of Kirathamoorti is a special feature in the temple and it is
a standing monument to commemorate the incidence that, Lord Shiva
Himself has created the present MahaLinga.
Festivities
The great Mahamaham festival celebrated in honour of Lord attracts
lakhs of people from far and wide and it takes place once in 12 years.
It is celebrated on the conjunction of the moon with the Mahanakshatra
and Jupiter crosses one Rasi or sign in about one year. It comes to
Simha Rasi or Leo every 13th year and it is considered specially sacred.
It is believed that on this auspicious day the tank receives supplies of
water from the Ganges and eight other holy rivers and all the deities
are said to remain present here on that occasion.
The Lord has a number of festivals round the year. Every year in the
month of 'Maasi' (February-March) a festival is conducted and the image
of Lord Kumbeswara is taken out in a procession. It is celebrated for 10
days during that period.
Others include, Theppam festival during Panguni (March - April),
Sapthathanam during Chitirai month (April - May). During this festival
Lord's idol will be carried in a palanquin to the nearby villages.
Marriage festival for Lord Adikumbeswara and Goddess Mangalambigai is
conducted in the month of 'Vaikasi' (May - June). Daily pujas are
conducted six times from morning to evening.
Temple Timings
The temple is kept open from 5:30 in the morning and stays so till
12:00 in the noon. The temple usually remains closed during the noon
hours, and reopens in the evening at 4:00 p.m. The temple closes in the
night after the last pujas are performed by 8:00 p.m.
Places to stay in Tamilnadu
Accommodation is available at the ecomomy class hotels, lodges, and
devasthanam cottages in Kumbakonam.
