Kumbakonam Abhimukeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District,

Tamil Nadu – 612 001

Phone: +91 435 242 0187

Moolavar

Abimukeswarar

Amman

Amirthavalli

Introduction

Abhimukeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Kumbakonam, a town in the Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Abhimukeswarar, and the goddess is Amirthavalli. This temple is one of the 12 Shiva temples associated with the Mahamaham festival, held every 12 years in Kumbakonam. Situated on the eastern bank of the Mahamaham Tank, the temple holds significant importance for devotees of the Thula Rasi (Libra) zodiac.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to be over 1,800 years old, with renovations carried out by Govinda Deekshitar, the minister of Achutha Nayakkar of Thanjavur, during the 16th century. The temple’s most recent consecration occurred on October 26, 2015.

Maha Pralayam:

According to Hindu mythology, at the end of each Yuga, a great flood, called Maha Pralayam, devastates the Earth due to the wrath of Lord Shiva for the sins committed by humans. Lord Brahma, preparing for the next cycle of creation, stored the seeds of life, along with the four Vedas and Puranas, in a clay pot. The pot was placed atop Mount Meru and secured with a coconut, mango leaves, and a sacred thread. During the deluge, the pot was displaced and floated across the seas until the waters receded. Eventually, the pot settled in Kumbakonam. Lord Shiva, in the form of a hunter (Kirata Murthy), pierced the pot with his arrow, allowing life to flourish once more. It is believed that the broken pot’s contents spread across the Earth, where each piece became a Shiva Linga, and temples were later built at these locations.

Abhimukeswarar:

Legend states that originally, Lord Shiva in this temple was facing east. However, during the Mahamaham festival, the Navakanniga rivers, including the Ganges, requested Lord Shiva to turn towards the west to offer them a view from the Mahamaham Tank. The Lord graciously agreed, turning towards the west, and came to be known as Abhimukeswarar.

Sumathi’s Cure from Leprosy:

Sumathi, a girl born to Sudhaban, a Brahmin from Kashmir, was afflicted with leprosy at a marriageable age. Devastated, her parents prayed to Lord Shiva. Sage Naradha appeared in their dreams and instructed them to bathe in the Mahamaham Tank during Masi Magam and pray to Abhimukeswarar. Following his advice, Sumathi was miraculously cured. That night, Lord Shiva appeared in Sudhaban’s dream, instructing him to conduct Sumathi’s marriage, as she had been blessed with divine intervention, and that she would live for some time before reaching Kailasa.

Beliefs

The temple is regarded as a sacred place for the cure of diseases, particularly skin ailments like leprosy. Devotees offer gooseberries to Lord Abhimukeswarar for good health.
Devotees suffering from the adverse effects of Sani Bhagawan (Saturn) and other planetary influences pray here for relief. Lighting ghee lamps at the shrine of Sani Bhagawan is a common practice, especially on Saturdays, to neutralize negative planetary effects.
Mother Amirthavalli is worshipped for her merciful blessings, granting boons and fulfilling the wishes of her devotees.

Special Features

Temple Structure: The temple is a small, west-facing shrine with a two-tiered Rajagopuram. The presiding deity, Lord Abhimukeswarar, is housed in the sanctum in the form of a Shiva Lingam and faces west.
Dancing Dwara Palakas: The Dwara Palakas (door guardians) in the Lord’s shrine are depicted in a dancing posture, similar to Lord Nataraja, symbolizing divine dance.
Deity and Shrines:
- On the outer wall, Lord Brahma is depicted on the northern side, Lingothbhavar on the east, and Dakshinamurthy on the south, with a beautiful idol of Lord Dakshinamurthy blessing devotees. Yoga Dakshinamurthy, sitting with one leg kneeled, is also present, with a unique posture and slightly bent head.
- Mother Amirthavalli resides in a separate shrine to the right of the sanctum.
- The Navagraha shrine includes the nine planetary deities, with Sani Bhagawan (Saturn) being taller than the other planets.
- The idol of Lord Bhairava is of special significance here, larger than those found in the 12 Mahamaham temples.
- Shrines for Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman are also located within the temple complex.
Sacred Tree: The sacred tree of the temple is Gooseberry, and its fruits are offered by devotees seeking blessings for good health.

Festivals

Masi Magam: The temple celebrates a grand 10-day festival during the Masi Magam (Kumbha Masa Maga Nakshatram). Special prayers and rituals are held, especially for Lord Dakshinamurthy.
Golu and Special Pujas: The temple also hosts Golu displays during festive times, and special poojas are offered to Lord Dakshinamurthy.

This has been extracted from,

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2015/12/abimukeswarar-temple-kumbakonam.html