Temples in Kumbakonam
Sarangapani Temple
This temple is considered to be one of the most important Vishnu temples in South India, along with Srirangam and Tirupati. Seven of the Alwars sang the glories of this temple. Lord Sarangapani is the presiding Deity of the temple. Most of the temple was built by the Nayak kings between the 13th and 17th centuries, but the central shrine dates to the end of the Chola period. It is the largest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam, and it has a gopuram 44m (146 ft) high that is 90 feet by 50 feet at the base.
There are two entrances for entering the central shrine of the temple. You enter the southern entrance during the dakshinayana period, when the sun is in the southern hemisphere, and the northern entrance during the period of uttarayana, when the sun is in the northern hemisphere. There are many Deities in the temple, including Pathala Srinivasa (Vishnu). The Lord's consort is Sri Komalavalli (Lakshmi) whose shrine is located in the north part of the temple, to your right as you enter the temple.
Bathing in the Hema Pushkarani Tank next to the temple is considered very auspicious. The main central shrines resembles a chariot, with elephants and horses carved on the basement,. There are many carvings on the walls of this shrine.
The temple has two big carts. It also has a silver cart for special occasions, such as the first day of Tai (January-February). On Vaikuntha Ekadasi there is a big festival in the temple. Another big festival is Mattai Adi in January-February.
Kumbeswara Temple
This is the largest and oldest Siva temple in town. It is located in the center of town. Its main gopuram is 128 feet high and has many intricately carved sculptures on it.
There is an excellent collection of silver vahanas (palanqins) used to carry the deities at festival times. There is a shrine dedicated to Adi Vinayaka (Ganesh). It is said that Vinayaka came to this place before Lord Siva.
Rama Swami Temple
This temple was built in the 16th and 17th century by the Nayak King Raghunatha. This temple has Deities of Lord Rama and His three brothers. As you enter the temple there are several exquisite pillars with sculptures of pastimes from the Ramayana. On the walls around the temples are beautiful murals of the Ramayana pastimes.
Nageswara Temple
This is a Siva temple that dates to 886 AD. The sculptures in this temple are said to be some of the best of the Chola period. Statues of Dakshina-murti (south wall), Brahma (north), and Ardanariswara (west) are on the outside wall of the inner shrine. The rays of the sun enter the inner sanctum through the openings in the gopuram three times a year. The rays of the sun fall right on the Siva-linga, and this is considered to be worship by Surya, the Sun gold.
Sri Cakrapani Temple
This is an important temple dedicated to the all-powerful disc of Lord Vishnu. The cakra (disc) of Lord Vishnu is called Sudarsana, which means "auspicious vision." The disc of the Lord is called Sudarsana because he does not discriminate between high and low criminals or demons. The Sudarsana cakra is always concerned with annihilating the demons. The illuminating principles in this world such as the sun, the moon, and fire emanate from the effulgence of Sudarsana. Similarly, illumination by knowledge also comes from Sudarsana one can distinguish one thing from another, the superior from the inferior.
Airavateswara Temple
This temple is located across the Arasalar River in Dharasuram, 5 km southwest of Kumbakonam. Architecturally it is one of the finest temples amongst those built during the Chola period. This Siva temple was built by Raja II in the 12th century. In front of the temple are columns with detailed small sculptures. You can rent a bicycle in Kumbakonam and ride here.
Temples In The Area.
A temple dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya is in Swamimalai, 6 km from Kumbakonam. The Kampahareswara Siva Temple at Thirubuvanam is 8 km away.
Kumbakonam Area Divya Desam Temples
Divya Desam temples are 108 important Vishnu temples in India sung about by the Alwar devotees.
The Uppiliappan Temple is 6 km from Kumbakonam. There is a shrine dedicated to Markandeya, who is installed as if performing the marriage rites of his daughter. Markandeya got a boon to have Lakshmi as his daughter, whom he found as a baby beneath a Tulasi plant. When she grew up, he offered her in marriage of Lord Vishnu.
In this temple is a beautiful Deity of baby Krishna, holding the toe of His right foot and lying on Adisesha. The temple has five processional Deities (utsava-vigrahas). The goddess of the temple is Bhumi Devi (Lakshmi). There is a sacred tank here called Ahoratra Pushkarani.
Saranthan Temple is 11 km southeast of the railway station at Tiruccherai. It is also called Pancha Saraksetram, and it is considered one of the most important Divya Desam temples. It is on the bank of the Kaveri River.
Amaruviyappan Temple is located between Kumbokonam and Mayuram. The Deity in the temple, Lord Amaruviyappan, is ten feet tall.
Narayur Ninra Nambi Temple at Thirunarayoor (Nacchiarkoil) is 10 km from Kumbakonam, on the bus route to Tiruvarur. The temple has a Garuda made of stone, which is used to carry Lord Nambi (Vishnu) twice a year during festivals. The goddess in this temple is Nambikai Nacchiar. She proceeds Lord Nambi during all festival processions.
Five km southwest of Kumbakonam is the Vinnaghra Perumal Temple at Nandipura Vinnagaram (Nathan Koil).
Parimala Rangan Temple is 5 km northeast of the Mayavaram railway stations.
The Kolavilli Raman and Sringara Sundaran Temples are located 5 km east of the Mayavaram railway station.
Mayuram
There are a few Divya Vishnu Desam temples near this town. Mayuram is northeast of Kumbakonam, between Kumbakonam and Chidambaram.
The Arumakadal Temple is located 12 km from the Mayuram Railway Station and 3 km from Kollumanguide.
Naanmadeeya Perumal Temple is located 20 km from Mayuram in Tiruttalaichhanganammathiam. It can be reached from the Sembanarkoil railway station. This is a small temple in a solitary place in the forest.
Mayuram
There are a few Divya Vishnu Desam temples near this town. Mayuram is northeast of Kumbakonam, between Kumbakonam and Chidambaram.
The Arumakadal Temple is located 12 km from the Mayuram Railway Station and 3 km from Kollumanguide.
Naanmadeeya Perumal Temple is located 20 km from Mayuram in Tiruttalaichhanganammathiam. It can be reached from the Sembanarkoil railway station. This is a small temple in a solitary place in the forest.
Sirkazhi (Shiyali)
By the town of Sirkazhi there is a group of Divya Desam Vishnu temples called the Tirunangoor Tirupati Shrines, which can all be visited in a day or two. Sirkazhi is located about 50 northeast of Kumbakonam on the way to Chidambaram.
The Taadaalan Temple has a Deity of Trivikrama with His left leg raised. The goddess's name is Mattavishum Kuzhali Nacchiar. This temple is 1 km from the railway station.
Five km east of the Sirkazhi railway station is the Senganmal Temple and Manikkooda Temple.
Ten km east of the station is the Gopala Krishna Temple at Thirukkavallambadi. Worshipe at this temple is conducted only once at about 10 am daily. About one and half km from the temple is the birthplace of Tirumangai Alwar.
Elven km southeast of Sirkazhi is the Kannan Narayana Temple at Tiruvellakkulam (Annankoil). The Vayalali Manavalan Temple is at Thiruvaali, which is 10 km southeast of Sirkazhi railway station.
The Taamaraiyaal Kelwan Temple is 15 km from the Sirkazhi railway station. This temple has Deities of Parthasarathi, Rukmini, Satyabhama, and Rama with four hands.
The Narayana Koil (Nandavilakku Perumal) Temple is 8 km east of Sirkazhi station. On the Amavasya day the Deities of all the eleven Tirunangoor temples visit this temple and stay for the evening. The Kundamaadu Koothan Temple is near the Narayanar Koil Temple.
Vaikunthanatha Temple is 8 km east of Sirkazhi. The Purushottam Temple at Tiruvanpurudottam is 8 km southeast of Sirkazhi, and the Perarulaalar Temple at Tiruchembonsey Koil is 8 km east of Sirkazhi
The Daivanaayaka Perumal Temple is 8 km from Sirkazhi at Tiruttevanarthogai.
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