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Adi Kumbeswarar TemplePhoto: Wikipedia article "Adi Kumbeswarar Temple" — CC-licensed via Wikimedia CommonsOpen Now

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple

Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Lord Shiva
More in Tamil Nadu

Type

Hindu Temple

Deity

Lord Shiva

Pincode

612001

The principal Shiva temple of Kumbakonam and one of the most important in Tamil Nadu. Lord Kumbeswarar (Shiva who formed the universe from a 'kumba'/pot of nectar) is worshipped here. During the rare Mahamaham festival (once in 12 years), lakhs bathe in the sacred Mahamaham tank adjacent to the temple — the largest religious gathering in Tamil Nadu.

History & Significance

Significance

<p>The Mahamaham tank beside Adi Kumbeswarar attracts 30+ lakh pilgrims during the Mahamaham festival (once in 12 years) — it is considered equivalent to bathing at all sacred rivers simultaneously. The last Mahamaham was in 2016; the next is in 2028.</p>

History

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Architecture

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Plan Your Circuit

Nearby Temples

Closest temples by distance — worth combining into the same trip.

Shiva

The Rahu (ascending lunar node) Navagraha temple near Kumbakonam, where the presiding deity is Naganatha Swamy (Shiva). Uniquely, Rahu is said to turn white during his worship here — an observed natural phenomenon. The main lingam glows with a mysterious blue light on Rahu worship days. One of the most powerful Navagraha temples.

Thirunageswaram Rahu Temple

Thirunageswaram, Tamil Nadu0 km
Lord Shiva

Ranganatha

One of the tallest gopurams in South India (45 metres, 11 tiers) and the most important Divya Desam in Kumbakonam. Lord Sarangapani (Vishnu holding a bow/sarangu) reclines here in the posture of a patient cured of illness — a rare form of Vishnu.

Sarangapani Temple

Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu1 km
Lord Ranganatha

Shiva

Sun (Surya) Navagraha temple. The Surya (Sun) Navagraha temple near Kumbakonam; the only shrine among the nine where all nine planetary deities are installed in separate shrines around the main lingam.

Suryanar Koil

Suryanar Koil, Tamil Nadu3 km
Lord Shiva
Airavateswara Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage Site (Great Living Chola Temples group) built by Raja Raja Chola II in the 12th century CE. Lord Airavateswara (Shiva worshipped by Airavata, Indra's white elephant) is enshrined here. The temple's 'chariot steps' carved to look like a stone chariot and the extraordinary sculptures of Yama, the god of death, are extraordinary.

Photo: Wikipedia "Airavatesvara Temple" — CC-licensed via Wikimedia Commons

Airavateswara Temple

Darasuram, Tamil Nadu3 km
Lord Shiva