Kudamoonkku Sri Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

Deity: Kumbeswarar Amman: Mangalambigai
Temple Address: Kudamoonkku  Sri Adhi Kumbeswaraswamy Temple,Kumbakonam Post & Taluk Tanjore District,Tamil Nadu – 612 001.Tele: +91 435 242 0276.
Open between: 05:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 09:00 AM

Introduction

• Location: Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India.
• Deity:
  • Presiding Deity: Lord Adi Kumbeswarar (Shiva) in the form of a lingam.
  • Consort: Goddess Mangalambigai Amman (Parvati).
• Religious Significance:
  • Revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram.
  • Classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam by Nayanmars (Tamil saint poets).
• Temple Architecture:
  • Complex Area: 30,181 sq ft (2,803.9 m²).
  • Gopurams (Gateway Towers):
    • Four in total, with the tallest being the Eastern tower.
    • Height of the Eastern tower: 128 feet (39 m) with 11 stories.
• Prominent Features:
  • Main Shrines: Dedicated to Adi Kumbeswarar and Mangalambigai Amman.
  • Halls:
    • The sixteen-pillared hall from the Vijayanagar period.
    • Features sculptures of all 27 stars and 12 zodiac signs on a single stone.
• Sacred Tree (Thala Virutcham): Vanni tree.
• Sacred Water Sources (Theertham):
  • Mahamagam tank.
  • Pottramarai tank.

Puranic Significance

• Name Derivation:
  • “Kumbakonam” translates to “Jug’s Corner” in English.
  • The name is linked to the mythical pot (kumbha) of Lord Brahma, which contained the seeds of all living beings.
  • The pot was displaced by Lord Shiva’s arrow during Pralaya (destruction of the universe).
  • It came to rest at the location of present-day Kumbakonam.
• Sacred Water Sources:
  • When the kumbha (pot) broke, the nectar inside spilled into two tanks:
    • Mahamaham Tank.
    • Potramarai Tank.
  • This event is commemorated in the Mahamaham Festival, celebrated once every 12 years.
• Historical Names:
  • Kumbakonam was formerly called Kudamukku in Tamil.
  • It is also identified with the Sangam age settlement of Kudavayil.
• Creation Myth:
  • When the world was facing destruction by a tsunami, Lord Brahma sought guidance from Lord Shiva.
  • Lord Shiva instructed Brahma to collect sand from various sacred places, form a magic pot (kumbha), and float it in the floodwaters.
  • The pot stopped at a specific location.
  • Lord Shiva shot an arrow at the pot, causing the nectar to spill and mix with the sand, forming a lingam.
  • This lingam became Sri Kumbeswarar, the presiding deity of Adi Kumbeswarar Temple.

Beliefs

Devotees pray to Mother Mangalambika for distinction in education and seek wedding and child boons, for progress in trade and profession and prosperity. They worship mother with red flowers on Sundays in Aavani month-August-September. Devotees perform abishek, archanas and offer vastras to Lord and Mother

Special Features

• Significance of Aavani (August-September):
  • Aavani marks the Malayalam New Year.
  • The Sun is in the Leo (Simha) zodiac sign, determining the year’s weather conditions.
  • Ancient tradition of fasting on Sundays during this month to pray to Sun God and Nagaraja for crop protection from pests like rats.
• Mythological Connection:
  • During the Pralaya floods, Lord Shiva safeguarded all creation materials in a sacred pot (Kumba).
  • Hence, He is worshipped as Sri Kumbeswarar.
• Special Pujas in Aavani:
  • Devotees observe special pujas on Sundays in Aavani at the temple.
• Temple Worship Procedure:
  1. Entering the temple through the Rajagopuram.
  2. Passing through the long Mandap, Bali Peeta, and Kodi Maram (flag post).
  3. Worshipping Sri Nandi Deva and Lord Kumbeswarar.
  4. Moving through the prakara, offering prayers to:
     • 63 Nayanmars.
     • Saptha Mathas (Seven Divine Mothers).
     • Kamadenu (divine cow).
     • Bhava Linga & Mahalinga.
     • Lord Dakshinamurthy & Valanchuzhi Vinayaka.
  5. Proceeding to Mother Mangalambikai’s shrine, passing:
     • Lord Bikshadana, Muruga, Akshayalinga, Sahasralinga.
     • Goddesses Annapoorani, Gajalakshmi, Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi.
     • Lord Brahma.
  6. Reclining Lord Shiva in the Glass Room.
  7. Shrines of Ashtabhuja Durga, Navaneetha Vinayaka, Kiradhamurthy, Bhairava, Kala Bhairava, Jurakeswarar, Sastha, and Govinda Dishithar.
  8. Worshipping Mother Mangalambika.
  9. Completing the Navagraha (Nine Planets) worship before exiting.
• Benefits of Following this Worship:
  • Brings prosperity, protection, and fulfillment of devotees’ wishes.

Festivals

Theerthavari festival is celebrated in the Mahamagam tank on Masi Magam (February-March). Sabthasthanam festival in Chithirai (April-May) when the Lord and Mother visit 7 places at a distance of 20 kilometres. Tirukalyanam (wedding festival) in Vaikasi (May-June), Tirumanjanam in Aani (June-July), Aadi perukku and Aadi Pooram (July-August), Panguni festival (March-April) with special pujas, Butter pot festival on the Aswathi star day in Masi (February-March), on the 8th day, and the procession of Panchamurthis are the festivals grandly celebrated in the temple. Masimagam is the biggest festival in Tamilnadu.

Century/Period/Age

1000 to 2000 years old.

Saints and Singers

Appar, Sambandar

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Best Time

6:30-12:00

Accommodation

Kumbakonam

Nearest Bus Station

Kudamoonkku

Nearest Railway Station

Kumbakonam

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Location on Map

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