Overview of Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam is one of the oldest towns in Tamilnadu and is famous for its Mahamaham festivel. Mahamaham festivel is celebrate in 12 years once. In the 7th Century it was the Capital of Chola Kings. Kumbakonam, the famous temple town of South India, is picturesquely located amidst the two rivers, Cauvery & Arasalar.
Kumbakonam is the temple city of South India situated in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The city is famous for the Mahamaham festivel that is celebrated once in 12 years in the Mahamaham tank located in the heart of it. The town has also been well - known for its prestigious educational institutions which have turned out eminent stalwarts in diverse spheres.
The town is famous for brass vessels. It is primarily a market town for the predominantly agriculture based villages surrounding it. Betel leaves are cultivated more in Kumbakonam since it is also called as Kumbakonam Vettrilai (in Tamil). The town has also been well - known for its prestigious educational institutions as the "Cambridge of South India". The famous Mathematician Ramanujam studied in this Institution.
Mahamaha Tank
Though rituals and archanas are done daily for the god, some special festivels are celebrated annually, which make the people gathered in large numbers and make their minds purified. Among the various festivels MAHAMAHAM that is celebrated once in twelve years is of very great importance.
During the time of Mahamagam festival, it is also believed that taking bath in the holy stream of water from the famous rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi, Saraya, Godavari, Mahanadi, Narmatha, Pavoshnl and Cauvery, which are mixed together in Mahamagam tank, would get rid of sins according to Hindu religion.
Sarangapani Temple
The largest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam, with a 50m high east gate, is Sri Sarangapani Temple. It is located near to Uchipillayar Temple. It is one of 108 Divya Desams and Pancharanga Kshetrams. This temple lies along River Cauvery, is considered one among the three major shrines of Lord Vishnu and it was renovated during the period of Nayaka Kingdom of 16th Century.
It consists of the biggest Gopuram (150ft), and five Praharas and one holy tank, known as "Porthamarai Tank", which is located behind the temple. The Karuvarai and Vimanam are made with 12-sculptured columns shaped like a chariot.
Nageshwaran Temple
Surya is said to have worshipped here to regain his lost splendour. The temple tank is also known as Surya Theertham and also known as Vilvavanam, it is believed that a vilva leaf from the pot carrying the celestial nectar had drifted away and landed here.
Aadi Seshan is said to have worshipped here and Shivan is said to have blessed him with the might to bear the weight of the earth, here.
Swamimalai Murugan Temple
It is a Hindu temple located in the township of Swamimalai, near to Kumbakonam. It is one of the Arupadaiveedu, believed to be the six main abodes of Muruga. According to Hindu belief, Swamimalai is where Muruga preached what as called as "Pranava mantra" to his own father, Shiva, at a tender age, after arresting 'Brahma' for not answering his question about Pranava Mantra.
Though this place is called as one of the arupadai veedu of murugan, the real padai veedu lies at a place called 'Thiruveragam', from where the murugan idol is being brought during the 'soorasamharam' festival.
