Inspired and visited Hindu temple by Me and My friends in and around Kumbakonam- Aduthurai

Temples Around Kumbakonam

When I started making a directory of temples in and around Kumbakonam I knew it’s like disturbing the hornets nest but then I wanted to do it desperately since people visit Kumbakonam only for the Navagraha temples and a few other important temples in and around, whereas the region holds most sacred temples for every half km on an average. There are specialized temples for every known human problems of today. Many of the temples are in good conditions and many without even oil for lamp. Only if more people start to visit these areas, these temples will get some refresh.  So many months back I made a start and completed the list of temples around Kumbakonam only now (still I am working on the directory within city).  There will be plenty of more temples which I don’t know / didn’t list out and as usual, readers may please comment with some useful unlisted information and corrections for the sake of everyone.

Legend of Kumbakonam:


At the end of every yuga, the destruction of all the living beings in the earth through flood takes place and this is called Pralayam.  Lord Shiva arranged to put the sample of seeds of living organisms in a pot (Kumbham or Kudam) filled with amirtham (nectar) and keep it atop Kailash (as a backup in safe vault!). When the Brahma pralayam started, it killed all living creatures on the earth. The flood water level rose so high that it got the pot kept in Kailash floating for years. Eventually when the pralayam stopped, the pot settled in Kumbakonam (got its name since the Kumbham settled here). Then Shiva took the form of a Hunter and split opened the pot with his arrow. The life on earth started flourishing again.

So, this is the place from where the life on earth restarted after the pralayam.

Significance of Kumbakonam: 

There is a popular saying in Sanskrit noting Kumbakonam as more sacred than Varanasi (Kasi). A sin committed at some ordinary place is washed off by a visit to a holy place;  a sin done in a sacred spot is washed off by going on a pilgrimage to Varanasi; if one dares to commit a sin in that sacred city too, that sin is wiped off at Kumbakonam; and any sinful act done at Kumbakonam is washed off there itself.
Since the no of temples is too high, I have put the list into two.

Around Kumbakonam – 1 (this page):
Kumbakonam – Papanasam (Tanjore)
Kumbakonam – Innambur – Thiruppurambiyam
Swamimalai – Thiru Aadhanoor – Thiruvaikavoor
Kumbakonam – Swamimalai – Ganapathy Agraharam (Thiruvaiyaru)
Kumbakonam – Valangaiman – Needamangalam (Mannargudi)
Around Kumbakonam – 2:
Kumbakonam – Thiruppananthal (Anaikkarai / Chennai)
Kumbakonam – Aduthurai (Mayiladuthurai)
Kumbakonam – Thiruneelakkdi (Kollumangudi – Peralam – Karaikal)
Kumbakonam – Nachiarkoil – Thirucherai (Kodavasal –Thiruvarur)
Kumbakonam City: To be done

Vaishnava Nava Graha Temples in Kumbakonam 
The Shaiva Navagraha temples of Kumbakonam are highly popular but it may not be known to many that there are Vaishnava Navagraha sthalams are also there around Kumbakonam and they are:

• Sun (Suryan) : Sri Sarangapani temple (Thirukudanthai-Kumbakonam)
• Moon (Chandran): Sri Naadan Kovil (Thirunandipura vinnagaram)
• Mars (Sevvai): Nachiyaar Kovil (Thirunaraiyur)
• Mercury (Budan): Valvil Ramar Kovil (Thirupullamboothangudi)
• Jupiter(Guru): Andallakummaiyyan (Thiruaadhanoor)
• Venus (Shukran): Valvil Ramar kovil (Thiruvelliyankudi)
• Saturn (Sani) : Oppiliappan Kovil (Thiruvinnagaram)
• Dragon’s tail (Rahu): Gajendra Varadan kovil (Thirukavithalam)
• Dragon’s head (Kethu): Jagat Rakshakan kovil (Thirukudaloor)
• Mandi : Saranathan Kovil (Thirucherai)

Divya desams around Kumbakonam (Click on the link for the details)

 Temples and its specialties

Kumbakonam – Papanasam (Tanjore)


Dharasuram Iravadheeswarar Shiva temple

Distance: 3 kms from Kumbakonam Main Deity: Iravadeeswarar with Dhaivanayaki amman Theertham: Brahma theertham Sthala Vruksham: Padari
Significances:
The temple is a sculptural gallery and a recognized UNESCO World Heritage monument.
Legend:
Iravatham, the white colored elephant of Indhran, lost its white colour due to a curse of Sage Dhurvasar. It prayed Shiva of this place and got its colour back. So the name of Shiva here is Iravadheeswarar.
An asura named Thara worshiped Shiva here along with his 100 wives and so the name Tharasuram.
Temple:
Built by Raja Raja Chola II, this is one of the four temples along with Tanjore Brahadheeswarar (Raja Raja Chola), Gangai konda Cholapuram (Rajendhra Chola) and Thirubhuvanam (Klothunga Chola III), which are built by the four Chola kings as a show of their kingdom’s artistic and architectural skill. This temple is more popular for architectural and sculptural work than worship and divinity.
Architecture:
The temple is full of intricate sculptural works carved all over without leaving even an inch of empty space. It will take many hours to completely see the sculptural works. The main mantapa is called Raja Gambira as the elephant draws the chariot. A mantapa has been specially built for Lord Sarabheshwara. There are musical steps. There are many miniature carvings in the size of match stick.

Patteeswaram
The name Patteeswaram was derived from the daughter of the Divine Cow Kamadenu PATTI who worshipped the lord here. Distance: 6 kms from Kumbakonam, very near Dharasuram.

Dhenupureeswarar Temple
 
Main Deity: Swayambu linga known as Patteeswarar, Denupureeswarar with Amman Jnanambikai Palvalai Nayaki
Theertham: Jnanavavi Sthala Vruksham: Vanni
Significances:
One of the 276 Thevara Padal petra sthalams; This was once the capital of Chola King in the name Pazhayarai.

Legend:

• The Koti Theertham well in the temple is said to have been created by Rama and is considered to be equivalent to Dhanushkoti.
• Shiva is said to have created a roof lined with pearls (muthu pandhal) in order to protect Sambandar from the scorching summer sun. He is said to have requested Nandi to shift aside, in order to be able to see beautiful sight of Sambahandhar arriving through the peral roof. This is a Pancha Nandhi kshetram and all the 5 nandhis are shifted aside.
• Rama’s worshipping of Siva seeking pardon for the sin of having slained Vaali is commemorated each year during the Tamil month of Margazhi
• Markandeya and Viswamitra worshiped in this place

Temple:
This is a typical big Chola temple with lots of beautiful and intrinsic sculptures, pillars and mandapams. Spread over 4.4 acre area with 4 Rajagopurams on four directions and 3 praharams

 Durgai Temple

A Vishnu Durgai amman shrine, as an annexe to the Dhenupureeswarar temple is nowadays highly (more) popular as a separate temple of its own.
The Chola kings including the Great Rajaraja Chola were staunch devotees of Durga Devi. She was the protecting deity of the Cholas from the northern side of their palaces. Lord Vinayaka, Lord Muruga and Lord Bhairava were also protecting the kings from other entrances. After the end of the Chola regime, the Durga is installed in Thirupatteeswaram temple (Some say, the Kali at Udayalur village nearby is the original Devi temple of Cholas).
The Goddess here is known by many names such as Vishnu durga, Durga lakshmi, Navasakthi Nayaki, Navayoga Nayaki, Navagraha Nayaki, Navaratri Nayaki, Navakoti Nayaki, to name a few. Unlike in other temples, the Durga here is very soft in look and grace (Shanta Swarupi). the Gooddess appears in a Tribanga stature, eight hands, three eyes and jewels in the ears. Generally, the Lion carrying Kali would be looking on the right side. But the Shanta Swarupi Durga’s Lion here faces the left side. She holds conch, wheel (Vishnu Durga), bow, arrow, sword, shield and a parrot.

The Navakoti archana is popular here.


 Thiru Sakthi Mutram Shiva temple
 
Distance: 6 kms from Kumbakonam; next street to Patteeswaram Durgai/Dhenupureeswarar temple Main Deity: Sivakozhundheeswarar with Periyanayakai amman Theertham: Soola theertham Significance: One of the 276 Thevara Padal petra sthalams
Legend:
Parvathi devi did penance standing in one leg and the Lord appeared as a huge column of fire (Jyotiswaroopam) in front of her. Knowing that the Jyotiswaroopam is nothing but the Lord Himself, she embraced Him and hence the names Sivakkozhundeeswarar and Sakthi Mutham.
This place was once called as Rajarajapuram.
Temple:

• Sthala Vinayagar is Vallaba Vinayagar
• A separate shrine of Parvathi devi penancing in one leg and embracing Shiva in linga roopam is in front of the main shrine. This shrine is very special for marriage prayers. The main lingam has the traces of agni in it.
• The shrines for Natarajar and the Sarabeswarar are of importance here.
• Thirunavakkuarasar was asked by Shiva to go to nearby Nallur to get deeksha from Him.
• Sekkizhar has mentioned about Shiva of this place in his book Periya puranam.

Nadhan Koil Nandipura Vinnagaram Vishnu temple
Distance: 14 kms South West of Kumbakonam; 3 kms East of Pateeswaram near Korukkai village Main Deity: Srinivasar in sitting posture, west facing with Shenbagavalli Thayar Utsavar: Jagannathan Theertham: Nandhi theertham Significances: One of the 108 Divya Desams
Legend:

• Nandhi, the gate keeper of Lord Shiva, wanted to meet Lord Vishnu at Vaikuntam and entered without securing the permission of the security guards (Dwarapalakas) of Vishnu. This angered the Dwarapaalakaas who cursed the Nandi. Nandi undertook penance here as directed by Lord Shiva, got the dharshan of Lord Vishnu and relieved of curse. Hence the name Nandipura Vinnagaram. An image of Nandi can be seen on one of the walls of the temple.
• Goddess Lakshmi wanted to reside in the heart of Lord Vishnu. She undertook a penance at this place facing East. It is said that the Lord appeared before her (facing west) and accepted her wishes.
• Another version being that Vishnu, who originally faced the east, turned westward to look at King Sibi saving a bird by providing flesh from his thighs.

Pazhayarai temples

The region of Patteeswaram,  ThiruSakthiMutram,  Muzhaiyur was called Pazhayarai and was the ancient capital of Cholas before Tanjore. Raja Raja Chola I was brought up here. Even after cholas moved their capital to Tanjore, they lived here. There are 4 temples around Pazhayarai (Patteeswaram) in each directions. Vada thali (North), Then thali (South), Keezh thali (East) and Mel thali (West).  The palace of Cholas in CholarMalihai (Mailhai meaning palace) village near Patteeswaram is in ruins and there is only a mud mound now. Also, the samadhi of Raja Raja Chola is said to be in Udayalur nearby in a private property without any big monument but there is also a controversy about the authenticity of it.

Pancha krosha sthalams
Keezh Pazhayarai, Thirunallur, Thiruvalanchuzhi, Patteswaram, ThiruSakthimutram and Avoor are called Panch korsha sthalams. It is considered very sacred to worship all these 5 places on a single day during Dakshinayanam.

Keezh pazhayarai (Vada thali)
Distance: 12 kms from Kumbakonam and 2 kms east of Patteeswaram in the Avoor road (Actually this is east of Pazhayarai and I don’t know why this is called Vada thali. Knowledgable people may please clarify). Main Deity: Swayambu linga known as Somanadhar with Somakalambikai Theertham: Soma theertham. Sthala Vruksham: Nelli (amla)
Significances:

• One of the 276 Thevara Padal petra sthalams
• One of the Arunagirinadhar’s Thiruppugazh sthalams
• A mada koil built by Ko Chengat Chola
• Birth place of Amarneethi Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars
• Birth place of Mangayarkkarasiyar, one of the 63 Nayanmars

Legend:

• Garuda wanted to release his mother from being a slave. So he got pot full of nectar from Indhran and on his way back he was attacked by asuras. Three drops of nectar fell down in this place and they became Linga, Goddess and the Theertham. Garuda had a dip in the theertham and worshiped Shiva here. He made a pond known as Satayu theertham.
• Chandran (Moon God), Aadhi seshan worshipped here
• This temple was closed and covered under the Jain influence during ThiruNavukkarasar period and was subsequently opened and put on worship when ThiruNavukkarasar took the fasting Sathyagraha.

Temple:
The temple has east facing Rajagopuram with 3 praharams

 Avoor Pasupatheeswarar Temple
 
Location: Near Patteeswaram; Kumbakonam-Patteeswaram: 6 kms; Patteeswaram-Avoor: 4 kms Significances: One of the 276 Thevara Padal Petra Sthalams Main deity: Swayambu linga Pasupatheeswarar with two ambals Pangajavalliand Mangalambihai
Legend:
Vayu God brought some mount pieces of Kailayam one of which is Avoor Pasupatheeswaram and the other is Nallur Panchavarneswarar (nearby).
Since divine cow Kamadhaneu worshipped Shiva here, the place is called Pasu(cow)-patheeswaram.
Brahma, Vishnu, Dasarathar, Saptha Rishis, Indhran, Sun, Vashistar and NavaGraha worshipped Shiva here. Avoor presented the great Sanga Pulavargal (Ancient Vocalist) Avoor Kizhar, Avoor Moolangizhar and Perunthalai Sathanar to the world.
Temple:
 
The temple has five majestic gopurams. This temple is a Maadakkovil built at an elevation by Ko Chengat Cholan. Once it was the fort of Chola Kingdom.
Murugan here is seen with bow and arrow as a hunter.
Sthala Vruksham: Peeple (Arasu) Theertham: Brahma, Kamadhenu, Chandra, Agni, Poihaiyaru

Thiruvalanchuzhi Vellai Vinayagar Temple
 
Distance: 7 kms from Kumbakoonam en route Papanasam (Tanjore). The temple is about 100 meters away from the main road, on the road to Swamimalai. Main Deity: Swayambu linga known as Valanchuzhi nadhar with Periyanakai amman; Valanchuzhi Vinayagar or Vellai Vinayagar Theertham: Cauvery, Arasalaru and Jada theertham Sthala Vruksham: Vilvam
Significances:
One of 276 Thevara Padal petra sthalams
Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh hymns.
The temple is known more for the Dwajasthamba Vinayahar in a separate shrine than the main deity Valanchuzhi nadhar.
This is one of the Panchakrosha sthalams along with the nearby Thirunallur, Patteswaram, Keezha Pazhayarai and Avoor. It is considered very sacred to worship all these 5 places on a single day during Dakshinayanam
Legend:

• The Valanchuzhi Vinayakar or Sweta Vinayakar or Nuraippillaiyaar here is made of sea foam and is white in colour. So there is no abishekam for Him. Legend has it that the Celestial Gods (Devas) formed this image out of the sea foam that was generated when the milky ocean (Thirupparkadal) was churned by them, in their quest for the celestial nectar (Amritam). Indhra, the King of Devas is said to have had this image in his possession after gaining immortality through Amritam and during his penance at Swamimalai set the image down at Tiruvalanchuzhi after which it could not be moved and became rooted to the spot.
• Once (river) Cauvery was flowing through this place and she entered into the hole through which Aadhiseshan came out from the Badhala logam on a Shivarathri day and worshipped Shiva. So Cauvery went down till the Badhala logam. Heranda maharishi entered into the hole and brought Cauvery back to the earth. When she came out she took a turn around right side and started flowing in order to avoid the hole where she was trapped last and hence the name Valanchuzhi. There is a separate shrine for Heranda maharishi. A nearby shrine at Kottaiyur is also associated with Heranda Munivar.
• Many sages and Devas attended a yagna conducted by Durvasa maharishi and each one has installed their lingams here. There are about 20 of those lingams present in the outer praharam, some of which have square avudayar.
• Aadhiseshan is considered to worship Shiva here on every Shivarathri day.

Temple:

• This is a huge temple in a sprawling 7.25 acre area with 5 mandapams.
• The front mandapam housing the Vellai Vinayagar is considered to be created by Indhran and is filled with very artistic pillars with intrinsic carvings. Around 6 feet high stone lamps and a huge grilled stone window in front of Vellai Vinayagar are of great merit.
• Ambal Brihannayaki (Periyanayaki)’s shrine is located to the right of Shiva’s shrine here.
• Murals from the Nayaka period depicting the Pradosha dance of Shiva and images of celestial nymphs display enormous detail.
• This temple is managed as a sub temple of the popular Swaminathar Temple (Subramanya) nearby.

 Thirunallur Sri Kalyanasundareswarar temple

Distance: 5 kms east of Papanasam. In the Kumbakonam – Papanasam route, after Sundara Perumal koil, take a diversion at Uthani village for about 2 kms to Nallur. Main deity: Swayambu linga known as Periyandeswarar, Kalyana Sundarar, Pancha varneswar, Sundara nathar, Soundara naayakar with Ambal Giri Sundari, Parvatha Sundari Kalyana Sundari, Malaiazhagi, Vanduvaazh kuzhali Sthala Vruksham: Vilvam Theertham: Saptha sagaram (seven seas)
Significances:

• One of the 276 Thevara Padal petra sthalams
• The miracle here is colour of the deity changes its color five times during daytime as Copper, Light red, Molten gold, Emerald and Multicolor for every 2 hours and 20 minutes and so the name Panchavarneswrar. Research has been done for colour change but the reason is still unknown
• There are two lingams on a single square avudaiyar (not anywhere in the world).
• Since Lord Shiva gave Deeksha to Thirunavukkarasar by placing His feet on him, as a rare custom in a Shiva temple, the devotees are blessed by placing the sataari (Lord’s legs) on their heads as in Vishnu temples.
• Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh

Legend:

• It is believed that the Lingam starts from the land and ends at the top of the mount
• It said that the Jada mudi of lord Shiva is present at the back of temple, so we are not allowed to make a full round. Oblations to the manes take places here.
• The lingam has many holes across. Sage Bringi, an ardent devotee of Siva, was not ready to worship the Goddess. So he took the form of vandu (bee family) and worshipped Shiva alone by flying around Him. Hence there are small holes on the Shiva linga. Vaalakilya munivar performed thapas as vandu (beetle) in the holes and attained mukthi here.
• Kundhi devi got rid of her curse by taking a dip in the Saptha Sagar Theertham on a Masi magham day.
• Muchukundha cakravarthi who belongs to Dwaparayuga, the third yuga, has worshipped here.
• Amarneethi Nayanar, his wife and son were sanctified here

Temple:

• This is a 4 acre temple with 3 praharams and 5 tier rajagopuram
• In the garbhagraha, at the back of main lingam we can see sudai sculpture of Lord Shiva and Parvathi devi together in bridal form along with Brahma and Vishnu
• There are shrines for Kailasa Ganapathi, eight lingas, sapthamathas, Kasi vinayagar, 63 Nayanmars and Natarajar
• Koshta moorthies are Dhakshnamoorthy, Sattanathar, Murugan, Mahalakshmi and Durga
• Ashtapuja Kali with 8 arms is present in the south prahaaram of this temple. According to Bujandar naadi, Sri Maha Kali who was responsible for defending this region against the invasion of Malik Kafoor is glowing with Her divine presence here. Worshipping Her on Fridays and Ashtami is believed to absolve many doshams of devotees.
• In this Shiva temple we can see Narasimha idol in the Viman
• One of the maada temples of the Chola king Kochengat