KUMBAKONAM TEMPLES AND NAVAGRAHA TEMPLES

 

Kumbakonam is a Hindu temple ,in Thanjavore dt,Tamilnadu, INDIA. It is as a "TEMPLE CITY" because of many number of temples in and around Kumbakonam. It is one of the top Pilgrim Tourist centre in India.The name Kumbakonam means the ' pots corner'.Kumbakonam is famous for steel pots etc. The temples in and around kumbakonam are of beautiful Gopuram with fantastic architecture and wonderful paintings. Some temples are dedicated to God Shiva and some others are to God Vishnu. The temples here are famous for their beautiful huge pillars , imaginative drawings on walls and mythological stories. It is 40 km from Thanjavore, and 273 km from Chennai.

We can reach here from Coimbatore to kumbakonam by 6 hours and 15 minutes by good road(NH 81). The distance is 295 km.
By Train from Coimbatore to Kumbakonam it will take 5hours 30 minutes.
By Air Tiruchinappalli Air port is situated 91 km away. From the airport we can hire a local vehicle to Kumbakonam.

KASI VISWANATHER TEMPLE is in the center of city.It is near the Mahamaham tank.The temple is dedicated to lord shiva.The temple is72 ft heigh. It is built in 16 th century. The diety here is called Kasi Viswanather and his wife as Visalakshi . Mahamaham is a FAMOUS festival conducted once in 12 years . Mahamaham is a tank which measures 3 acres, situated in the centre of Kumbakonam. Devotees gather together in large numbers to take holy bath IN THE TANK which is belived to wash away one's sins and purify the soul.

Another festival is the Masi magam.It is the most important festival celebrated during the month of February-March. The temple timings are 6.00 am to 12.00 noon and 4pm to 9pm night.

ATHI KUMBESWARA SWAMI TEMPLE is built in 9 th century by Chola dynasty.This.temple is dedicated to lord SHIVA. The lingam here is broad at the bottom and narrow at the top in the shape of a needle. God Shivas wife goddes Mangalambika is near to the left of Kumbeswarer shrine.

The temple is with 9 stories and a height of 128 ft. The wonderful thing in this TEMPLE is the27 star sign and12 zodiacs ,that are carved from a single large rock. It is best example for the skills of the past architectures or masons. The TEMPLE TIMINGS are 6 am to12.30 pm noon and than4 pm to9.30 pm.

NAGESWARAN TEMPLE is built by Chola in the 9 th century. It Is famous for architecture ,building technology, and astronomy. The temple allows sunlight to fall on the idol only for 3 days during the months of April or May.The devotees visit all over the world to seek blessings of the God in the 3 days. The Temple timings are 6am to12.30 pm noon AND 4.30 pm to9 pm. The temple is dedicated to God shiva, the serpent king.One of the serpent was worshipping the lingam ,so the temple got name Nageswaram.

CHAKRAPANI TEMPLE is devoted to God Vishnu 

It appears in the form of a sudharshna chakra. Lord Shiva killed demon Jalandasura by this chakra.This temple also takes part in the Mahamaham festival.

SHIVA TEMPLES IN KUMBAKONAM are:
Kasi Viswanather temple
Dadi Kumbeswarer temple
Someswarer temple
Nageswarer temple
Ekambareswaer temple
Gowthammesware temple
Abimukeswarer temple
Kambatta Viswanather TEMPLE
Banapuriswarer temple
Kahasteesware temple
Koteswarer temple
Amrithakalasanthar temple
VISHNU TEMPLES
Sarangapani temple
Chakrapani TEMPLE
Ramaswamy temple
Rajagopalswamy temple
Varaha perumal temple

NAVAGRAHA TEMPLES NEAR KUMBAKONAM:-
SURYA navagraha stalam- Sooriyanar kovil-14 km

Chandra navagraha stalam- Thingaloor-37 km
AngaaRakan navagraha stalam-Vaitheeswaran kovil-50 km.
BUDDHA navagraha stalam- Thiruvenkadu-60 km

Guru navagraha stalam- Alangudi-17km.
Sukra navagraha stalam-kanjanur-17 km
Shania navagraha stalam-Thirunallar-54 km
Raahu- navagraha stalam-Thirunageswaram-4 km
Ketu navagraha stalam- Keezh perumpallam-50 km.