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Published: December 26th 2019
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Nageswarar Temple22nd Dec 2019
I am staying at Tanjore. Took a bus from Old bus stand Tanjore and reached Kumbakonam in 1 hour and 15 minutes. I took an auto and paid a minimum charge of Rs 50 and reached Nageswarar temple which is 2 to 3 km from the Kumbakonam bus stand.
Temples of Kumbakonam (http://www.kumbakonam.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=36&Itemid=56) Nageswarar Temple Nageswaran temple otherwise known as "Koothandavar kovil".Chola dynasty constructed this temple during 12th century. This temple stands as a great marvel of Chola's architecture, building technology. The design and orientation are structured in such a way that it allows the sun rays inside the temple only during the month of Chithirai. The Karuvarai of Nageswaran temple has similarities with that of the Sarangapani temple, as it is made in the form of a chariot. The temple consists of two Gopurams in the eastern and western directions
Kumbeswarar Temple I paid minimum charge of Rs 50 for an auto to reach from Nageswarar Temple to Kumbeswarar temple
Aathi Kumbeswara Swamy is the main deity of the temple. Aathi is primordial origin implies ancitent or the first and the foremost. The Kumbeswarar is in Shiva Linga form which
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Nageswarar Temple is a formless form - called aaru (formless) + uru (form) = aaruuru. The shape of the linga is of very special significance it is of conical-shaped lingam, This is a unique linga in the world. The Puranas derive the meaning of the shape and the name. The city name Kumbakonam itself is derived from the name of God - Kumba and the slight angle of the Linga and hence the name "Kumbakonam".
It is one of the 127 temples on the southern banks of the river Cauvery. It is mentioned as, 'Thirukkudamooku' in 'Thevaram', at present it is called Kumbakonam. It is a prime temple amidst many temples in kumbakonam. The presiding Murti(deity) is 'Adhikumbheswara' and His consort is 'Mangalambhika'. It is also one of the 64 saktibheta sthala(Mantrabheta sthala). The Siva Linga is slightly tilted at the top towards left and hence the name kumbakonam (kumba - pot;konam -bend) and the deity kumbeshwara.
During cosmic dissolution, a pot containing nectar (Amrta) was floating and lord Siva came in the disguise of a hunter and pierced the pot with an arrow, thereby making the nectar to flow through it's nostril on all sides. Hence this place is
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Nageswarar Temple named Kudamooku (kuda - pot; mooku - nostril or tip). The objects such as mango leaf, sacred grass (Tharppai), hoop (uri), Bell tree leaf (Bilva), coconut and the sacred thread (poonool)which adorning the pot fell into different places due to whirlwind. They appeared as Siva lingas and later on they became Siva temples. As per Puranas the genesis of life happened by the Thiru Vilaiaadal (divine play) of God Shiva here, and from here all the living beings originated.
Aathi (Origin) Kumbeswara Swamy is the main deity of the temple Aathi Kumbeswarar. The Kumbeswarar (Linga) is in the form of conical lingam. The left of the main deity has another shrine for the goddess namely Mangalambigai. This temple outer prahara has an important shrine called as Kumba muni Siddhar.
Ramaswamy Temple Ramasmay tempole is 200 mts from Kumbeswar temple
Achutha Nayaka of Thanjavur constructed the Ramaswamy temple during 16 th century. Maha Mandapam is enriched with intricate stone carving works of Rama-Katha. Vamana Avatharam, Meenakshi Kalyanam , Sukreeva Pattabisegam are some of the famous carving works of this temple. The outer Prahara consists of all 219 wall paintings, which explains the series of incidents from
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Kumbeswarar Temple the great Epic "Ramayanam".Alwar Sannathi , Sreenivasa Sannathi , and Gopalan Sannathi are the other temples located within the temple complex.
The Main deity of Ramasamy temple is Rama, Seetha, Lakshmana, Anjaneyaa (Ramar Pattabhisega Sevai seen)
The temple is one of the prominent Vishnu temples in Kumbakonam. The temple has a 3-tiered gopuram surrounded by walls. The central shrine houses the image of Rama in a seated posture with his consort Sita. The other images are of his brothers Lakshmana, Bharatha, and Chatruguna in standing posture and Hanuman in worship posture. The sixty-four pillars in the hall near the gopuram are sculpted with exquisite finesse depicting various episodes of the epic Ramayana. Each pillar is carved out of a single stone and the delicacy is very prominent. Rama in the temple is depicted with Vyakarna Mudra, while Hanuman is depicted holding manuscripts. The other important aspects of the epic like a coronation of Vibishana, the coronation of Sugriva, relieving Agalya from her curse and Hanuman playing the veena. The temple is typical of the Nayak style of temples.
Chakkarapani Temple Chakrapani temple is 700 mts from Ramaswamy temple or Kumbeswarar temple
Chakkarapani Temple is the
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Kumbeswarar Temple biggest Vaishnavite temple in Kumbakonam town. The eastern and western entrances of the temple are known as "Thatchinaya Vayil" and "Utharayana Vayil".Agampara Vinayakar ,Panchamuga Aancheneyar and Vijayavalli are the important idols located in this temple complex.
As per Hindu legend, Chakra (also called Sudarshana), the discus, is the most powerful weapon of god Vishnu. He once sent his weapon to the nether world to kill king Jalandasura. The weapon is believed to have come out of the nether world through river Kaveri. God Brahma, who was taking bath in the river, got impressed and installed the image of Sudarshana in the place where the temple is now located. Surya, the Sun-god, who was glowing in brilliance, had his brightness diminished by the effulgent Sudarshana. Surya worshipped Sudarshana and pleased by his devotion, Sudarshana restored all the powers of Surya. Vishnu attained the name Chakrapani from then on. Surya wanted the town to be named after him and pleased by his devotion, Chakrapani named the city as Bhaskara Kshetra. It is believed that Surya worshiped Chakrathazhwar during Masi Magam and every year Masi Magam festival is celebrated during the day, commemorating the event. The temple car is drawn around the
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Kumbeswarar Temple, a shop near by streets of the temple during the day.
As per another legend, during the great deluge, the pot of nectar came down swirling. The pot of nectar fell down into different pieces as Shiva shot his arrow at the pot. The nectar is believed to have relieved lives in the planet. As per Sarma Sastrigal, the various places where the nectar spilled are Kumbeswara Temple, Sarangapani Temple, Chakrapani Temple, Nageswaran Temple, Someswaran Temple, Abhimukeswarar Temple, Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Kumbakonam, Kambatta Viswanathar, Gauthameswarar Temple, Banapuriswarar Temple, Varaha Perumal temple, Lakshminarayana and Varadaraja.
Kasi Viswanathar Temple Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Kumbakonam is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Kasi Viswanathar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Visalakshi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
The temple complex covers two acres and is located close to the Mahamaham tank. It houses two gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the western tower, with seven stories and a height of
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Kumbeswarar Temple 72 feet. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi and Navakanniyar being the most prominent.
The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 9 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The Masi Magam festival is celebrated during the day of the Magam (February - March) is the most prominent festival.
The present masonry structure was built during the Nayak during the 16th century. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The temple is located near the banks of Mahamaham tank. This temple has two prakarams (outer courtyard) and a 72 ft high Rajagopuram. The temple has a nava kanniyar aka nava kannigais (Nine rivers) in the form of deities worshipping Lord Shiva and hence the temple is referred to as 'Nava Kanniyar' temple.The nine river deities depicted are the Ganges, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswati, Cauvery, Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra, and Sarayu. The lingam worshipped by Rama is located in the north eastern prakaram (outer courtyard) of the temple. As per local legend, he lingam is believed to grow with time
This
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Kumbeswarar Temple place has been referred to in thevaram written by Saint Poet (7th Century AD) Thirugnana Sambanthar and Thirunavukkarasar. This temple is referred back to Ramayana period when Lord Rama and Lakshmana are said to have worshipped Shiva here during their search for Sita, and acquired Rudramsam, to enable them to fight Ravana. Legend has it that the nine sacred rivers of India prayed to Shiva at Banares (Viswanathar) to be absolved of the sins washed away by bathers, and were directed to bathe in the Mahamagam tank and worship Adi Kumbeswarar Temple. Viswanathar of Kaasi is believed to have manifested himself here at Kumbhakonam at Kudandaikkaronam
12 Shiva temples are connected with Mahamaham festival which happens once in 12 years in Kumbakonam. They are :
Kasi Viswanathar Temple,
Kumbeswarar Temple,
Someswarar Temple,
Nageswara Temple,
Kalahasteeswarar Temple,
Gowthameswarar Temple,
Kottaiyur Kodeeswarar temple
Amirthakalasanathar Temple,
Banapuriswarar Temple,
Abimukeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam,
Kambatta Visvanathar Temple and
Ekambareswarar Temple.
This temple is one of them.
Sarangapani Temple Sarangapani Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the Divya Desams,
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Kumbeswarar Temple the 108 temples of Vishnu revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars. This temple is along Kaveri and is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams.
The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar Empire, and Madurai Nayaks. The temple is enshrined within a huge granite wall and the complex contains all the shrines and the water bodies of the temple. The rajagopuram (the main gateway) has eleven tiers and has a height of 173 ft . The Potramarai tank, the temple tank, is located opposite to the western entrance of the temple.
Sarangapani is believed to have appeared for sage Hemarishi. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The temple chariot festival is the most prominent festival of the temple, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April). The twin temple chariots are the third-largest in Tamil Nadu, each weighing 300 tonnes.
As per Hindu legend, the Vaishnava deity, Sarangapani, an incarnation of Hindu god Vishnu, appeared for a sage Hema Rishi, who performed penance in the bank
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Ramaswamy Temple of Potramarai tank. Once sage Bhrigu wanted to meet Vishnu at his residence, Ocean of Milk. The sage did not get the attention of Vishnu and in his anger, he kicked Vishnu on his chest. Mahalakshmi who resides in Vishnu's chest got angered as Vishnu did not show his anger towards the sage. She left Vaikunta and reached earth and took the form of Padmavathy. Vishnu followed her and married her. Padmavathy got her memories and was still angry with Vishnu. To avoid her anger, Vishnu resided in the underground chamber in the temple as Pathala Srinivasa. In the meanwhile, the sage Bhrigu sought his apology and requested Mahalakshmi to be born to him as Komalavalli in his next birth. The sage was born as Hemarishi and performed penance to attain Mahalakshmi as his daughter. Vishnu was pleased by the penance and he wished the sage to get Lakshmi as his daughter. Lakshmi emerged from the Potramarai tank among thousand lotuses and was thus named Komalavalli (the one who emerged from lotus). Vishnu descended to earth as Aravamudhan in a chariot drawn by horses and elephants from his abode Vaikuntam. He stayed in the nearby Someswaran Temple to convince Lakshmi
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Ramaswamy Temple to marry him and the couple eventually got married. The name Sarangapani ("one who has the bow in his hand") derives from the Sanskrit word Sarangam meaning bow of Vishnu and pani meaning hand.
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