Kumbakunam
One of the oldest cities in the state of Tamil Nadu, in southern India, located 40 kilometers from Tanjore, bounded by the Kaveri and Arasalar rivers. This city is highly recommended if you enjoy visiting temples. In fact, this city is also known as “the city of temples” due to the large number of them it houses, which date back to the Chola period of the 7th century. It is estimated that there are around 188 Hindu temples and monasteries throughout the city. It has been the capital of several Chola kingdoms, hence both in the city and its surroundings we can see very interesting temples. On the other hand, it is also known for its prestigious universities, it has even been called “Cambridge of South India”.
Programs at Kumbakunam
What to see in Kumbakunam?
Kumbakunam Temples
Among all the temples it is worth highlighting:- Kumbheswara TempleThe name of the city of Kumbakonam comes from god Lord Kumbheswara. According to legend, it was here where, after the great flood that destroyed the world, Shiva shot an arrow at the pot (kumbha) that contained the nectar with the seeds of all the beings on the planet, and when it broke it spilled out, making the place sacred. .The lingam (symbolic representation of Shiva) of this temple is composed with fragments of this pot.-Nageshwara TempleThis temple dedicated to Shiva contains a separate altar to the sun, and is the second largest in Tamil Nadu, after that in Madurai.The small altar located just as you enter on the right It is designed to simulate a chariot drawn by horses and elephants.The outer walls of the central altar are decorated with magnificent sculptures: Dakshinamurti (south outer wall), Ardinarisvara (west) and Brahma (north). They are some of the best works of the Chola period.-Sarangapani TempleThis temple is dedicated to Sarangapani, incarnation of Vishnu, who appeared with a deer (saranga) before a scholar who was doing penance.The main shrine is in the shape of a chariot drawn by horses and elephants (yes, like the one at Nageswhara) with an opening on each side, representing the descent from the sky of Sarangapani in a chariot. The place where the scholar was in retreat is said to be located on a bank of the temple tank called Pottramarai.-Ramaswami TempleThis temple is located west of Kumbakonam and is believed to have been built in the 16th century, by the Tanjore king Raghunatha Naik.Legend has it that during the construction of this temple images were discovered in Darasuram of Rama, Sita and other deities and brought them here.
Airawateswara Temple
Located on the outskirts of the city, the village of Darasuram, was dedicated to Shiva and built in the 12th century by Rajaraja II, a great Chola ruler. This temple is a repository of art and architecture. The temple tower is 85 meters high. The Mandapam itself is sculpted in the shape of a large horse-drawn chariot. The temple also has many exquisite stone sculptures.
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