Kumbakonam

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  ?Kumbakonam
Tamil Nadu • India
Coordinates: 10°58′N 79°23′E / 10.97, 79.38
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 24 m (79 ft)
District(s) Thanjavur
Population 140,021 (2001)
Municipal Chairperson Su. Pa. Thamizhazhagan[1]
Codes
• Pincode
• Telephone
• Vehicle
• 612001
• +(91) 435
• TN 49

Coordinates: 10°58′N 79°23′E / 10.97, 79.38 Kumbakonam (Tamil: கும்பகோணம்) is a city and a municipality in the Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Kumbakonam is called as temple town because of the large number of temples within the town and the nearby areas. It is a very peaceful city and the festival of Mahamaham is celebrated every 12 years at the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam. The town is known for its temples, intricately carved panchaloha idols, exquisite brass wares especially lamps, silk and betel leaves.

Kumbakonam is the headquarters of Kumbakonam Taluk. It is located 40km from Thanjavur and 293Km from Chennai. Kumbakonam is the heart of Thanjavur district

Contents

[edit] Origin of name

Legend has it that there was a deluge after the Dwapara Yugam; a pot of nectar and the seeds of creation were placed in a pot (kudam) and set adrift in the deluge. The drifting pot settled at Kumbakonam.

[edit] History

The earliest history of Kumbakonam could be traced to the town of Pazhaiyaarai, 8 kilmetres from Kumbakonam which was the capital of the Chola Empire in the 9th century AD. Records from around the same time mention the nearby township of Kudanthai which grew into the present-day Kumbakonam. Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan; a semi-historical novel bring out the 10th century A.D., gives a detailed description of Kudanthai and elevates it to the status of a regional headquarters of the Chola governors.

[edit] Geography

Kumbakonam is located at 10.97° N 79.38° E.[2] It has an average elevation of 24 metres (78 feet). Kumbakonam is located 273 km south of Chennai, 96 km east of Tiruchirappalli, and about 40 km north-east of Thanjavur. The town is bounded by two rivers, the Kaveri River on the north and Arasalar River on the south. There is a gentle slope from north of the town to south.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[3] Kumbakonam had a population of 140,021. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Kumbakonam has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 70%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Economy

Kumbakonam is primarily a market city for surrounding agricultural villages. The town is surrounded by small villages of great historical importance. The agricultural region around the town is famous for its betelnuts and betel leaves. In the pre-independence era, it was a market town where people from all over the Kaveri delta region came and sold their goods. The town is also native to many goldsmiths and ornament makers. And the city is world famous for sculpture because of the workshop which is in swamimalai.

[edit] Temples

Kumbakonam is know as the City of temples as there are around a few thousand temoples in and around Kumbakonam. Some prominent ones are:

  • Tiruvidaimarudhur MahalingaSwami temple
  • Tirudevankudi karkateshwara temple ( kadaka Rashi temple)
  • Oppiliappan temple
  • Tirupullam Boothangudi rama temple
  • Kabistalam Gajendra Varada perumal temple
  • ThiruKandiyur HaraShapa Vimochana Perumal temple
  • ThiruKandiyur BramhaSiraKandeewarar temple
  • Ayyavadi Pratyankira temple
  • Tirucherai Saranatha Perumal temple
  • Nachiyar Koil Perumal temple
  • Tirunaraiyur Ramanatha Swami temple
  • Suryanar Koil
  • Tirumangalakudi Shiva temple
  • Thiruneelakudi Manokyanathar Shiva temple
  • Thirubuvanam Sarabeswarer Temple

[edit] Sarangapani Temple

Of the many temples in Kumbakonam, the most striking is the Lord Sarangapani Temple, a Vaishnavite temple. This twelve storied 147 feet high temple was built by the Nayak Kings during 15th century.

[edit] Ramaswamy Temple

The Ramaswamy Temple which depicts the paintings of Ramayana is another important Vaishanavite temple in Kumbakonam. The greatness of Ramaswamy Temple is said to be the only temple where Lord Rama, Goddess Sita are in the same platform and Lord Hanuman is playing the veena instead of reading the Ramayana. The entire deity is said to be made from Saligrama monolith. The Temple is filled with intricate carvings in its pillars.

[edit] Mahamaham Tank

Mahamaham 2004 Festival details Mahamaham Tank images

[edit] Chakrapani Temple

Chakrapani Temple is situated about 1.5 km North of Ramaswamy Temple. Here the main deity is Chakraraja. The Sudharshana Chakra is also here. The temple is also an exquisite exponent of the early temple architecture. The important and peculiar point about this temple is that Vilva (Bilwa) archana which is normally performed in Shiva temples is also performed here for the Perumal (Lord Vishnu).Temple's Official Website is  : http://www.srichakrapanitemple.com/

[edit] Kumbeswara Temple

Main article: Kumbeswara Temple

Kumbeswara Temple is an important Saivite temple situated at the central part of the town. Shri Adhi Kumbeswara is the presiding deity of Kumbakonam and Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika is the lord's Consort. The temple complex is huge and has beautiful artwork. The important festival of the town is the Mahamaham festival. This takes place once every 12 years during the Tamil Month of Masi (February/March), when lakhs of pilgrims from various parts of India visit Kumbakonam to take a holy bath in the sacred Mahamaham tank which is located in the heart of the town.


[edit] Kasi Viswanathar Temple

Main article: Kasiviswanathar Temple

Kasi Viswanathar Temple is situated very close to the Mahamaham tank. Here the main deity is Kasi Viswanathar/Visalakshi. The important and peculiar point about this temple is the navakanniyar, which are the 9 holy rivers. It is believed that the mahamaham function is closely associated with the 9 presiding deities namely Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswati, Kaveri, Godavari, Tungabhatra, Krishna and Sarayu. Another important part is the stala lingam present in the southern part of the temple. It was worshipped by Ravana and is believed to grow with ages. The temple can be accessed by alighting at the Head post office bus stop.

[edit] Nageswaran Temple

Nageswaran Temple, is dedicated to Shiva in the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king. Also known as "Koothandavar Kovil", it is located near the Kumbakonam old bus stand. Aditya Chola constructed this temple during the 12th century. It stands as a great marvel of Chola architecture, building technology and astronomy. The design and orientation are structured in such a way that it allows sunlight inside the temple only during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May), therefore, it bears another name called Surya Kottam or Keel Kottam. The Karuvarai (Sanctum Sanctorum) of Nageswaran temple is similar to that of Sarangapani temple, as it is made in the form of a Chariot. The temple consists of three gopurams in the eastern western & southern directions.

This vast temple known is for its shrine to Rahu, one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagraha. A legend has it that the mythological serpents Adiseshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Legend also has it that King Nala worshipped Shiva here as in Thirunallar

[edit] Sarangapani Temple

Main article: Sarangapani Temple

This famous pancharanga kshetram is in the midst of the busy market place. Before the Sri Rangam Temple gopuram/Tower was built, this temple used to hold the place for the tallest Temple Tower in South Asia. The Chariot festival which happens every year is one of the big festivals in the town.

[edit] Someswar Temple

Someswar Temple is situated in the southern portion of Sri Sarangapani temple. This temple faces east with a 5-tier Gopuram at the entrance. It also has an entrance in the south. The architectural style and element of this temple resembles the Dravidian Architecture of 13th century of the Chola period. Arumugam and Thenar Mozhi Ammal are the other deities located in this temple complex.

[edit] The temples at Thirunageswaram

Thirunageswaram is located 8 km east of Kumbakonam. There are two major temples at Thirunageswaram. One the famous Vaishnavaite temple of Oppliyappan (Oppliyappan Sannadhi), the other the ThiruNageswarar or NagaNathaswami (Naga in Tamil/Sanskrit means Snake and Natha means God) temple for Shaivaites. An important feature of this temple is that of Rahu bhagawan sannathi where milk abhishekham is performed daily during Rahukaalam. At this time, the milk that is poured on the statue turns blue when it passes over the body and once again to white after it reaches the floor. This wonder is watched by many daily during the raahu kaalam. This is also the only place wherein one can view Rahu bhagawan with his consorts.

Thirunageswaram Temple views

[edit] Pateeswaram temple

Sri Thirupureeswarar temple at Pateeswaram, 5 km south-east of Kumbakonam, was constructed during the 16th century by Govinda Dikshithar, a Minister of Nayak King Acchathappa.


[edit] Airavatesvara Temple

Main article: Airavatesvara Temple
Airavateswarar Temple
Airavateswarar Temple

The temple at Darasuram, 4 km west of Kumbakonam is Airvatesvara (Airavat is the holy white elephant) Temple, constructed by Rajaraja Chola II (1146-63), is a superb example of 12 Century Chola architecture. Many statues were removed to the art gallery in the Thanjavur Palace, but have since been returned. The remarkable structures depict, among other things, Shiva as Kankala-murti - the mendicant. Stories from epics and Hindu mythology are depicted. Adjoining the Airavatesvara temple is the Deiva Nayaki Ambal temple.

In the year 2004, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) excavated and restored the temple.

[edit] Navagraha Temples

The area surrounding Kumbakonam is home to a set of Navagraha temples dating from the Chola period.

[edit] Swamimalai temple

Main article: Swamimalai Murugan Temple

The Lord Murugan temple is located in Swami Malai, which is around 10 km from kumbakonam. It is one among the six famous temples of Lord Muruga. This is the place where the Lord murugan in childhood taught the meaning of mandra "OM" to his father Lord Siva. Lord Murugas Fourth home.

[edit] Thiruvalansuzhi Vinayakar Temple

Main article: Thiruvalansuzhi Vinayakar Temple

This siva temple is famous for vinayakar sculpture which has been carved from white foam while churning the milky sea. So the name of the god in Tamil is "Vellai pillayar" meaning that "White vinayakar". This temple is located in small village "Thiruvalansuzi" which is 4 km from Kumbakonam and 2 km from Swamimalai. The name "Thiruvalansuzi" has come because the Cauvery river prayed the lord Siva by doing pradhaksana from right hand side to left hand side. (Usually it will be left to right). The name for lord Siva in this temple is "Sadai mudi nathar".Thiruvalansuzhi Vinayakar Temple Photos

[edit] Sri Vijayeendra Tirtha Moola Brindavanam

We can find the moola brindavanam of Sri Vijayeendra Tirtha (Raghavendra Swamy guru's guru) here. It is in Solaippan Street. The great Vijayeendra Tirthas Aradhana falls on Jyeshta Trayodashi

[edit] Thirbuvanan Sarabeswarer Temple

This is Siva temple who is the main god of the temple, Sarabeswarer is special one in this temple ,Sunday Particularly worshiping at 4.30-6.00 pm him is special .

[edit] Other places of worship

In 1853, a Protestant Church was erected in the town. And there are around 8 Mosques in Kumbakonam.

[edit] Thirubhuvanam

Thirubhuvanam is a small panchayat near the town of Kumbakonam. It has a Lord Sarabeswara (Shiva ) temple and Perumal temple located in the centre of the panchayat. This small town is famous for silk saris like Kanchipuram silk. The famous "Thico Silks" is located here. Silk weaving is the main business of this town. Thirubuvanam Temple Photos


[edit] Education

The Government Arts College at Kumbakonam, known as the "Cambridge of South India", is one of the oldest colleges in the Tamil Nadu State. This College's Porter Hall was built in the memory of a former principal of the college in 1885. Other important colleges and universities include:

  • Govt. Women's College.
  • Govt. Arts & Crafts College.
  • Idaya college arts & science for women
  • Annai college of Arts and science.
  • Arasu Engineering College can be found on Chennai Main Road.
  • SASTRA (Satellite Campus of SASTRA University,Thanjavur)

[edit] Notable people from Kumbakonam

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Hindu dated 29 October 2006
  2. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kumbakonam
  3. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.