Kumbakonam is a town located in the Thanjavur district (Tamil Nadu). It is known as ‘Temple city’ due to the presence of several temples. The biggest attraction for people to visit here is its Mahamaham festival that attracts many people from all over the country. The place was being ruled by Cholas, Pallavas and Pandya’s, etc. during those periods, several temples were built by the kings, which act as the iconic places that must be visited.
Kumbakonam is also because of some of its products which include:
- Brass
- Bronze
- Copper and pewter vessels
- Silk and cotton cloths
- Sugar
- Indigo, and
- Pottery
FUN FACTS:
- 30% of the town’s population was engaged in rice production in 1991.
- Kumbakonam is also considered the ‘Chief commercial center’ for the Thanjavur district.
- Apart from rice production and manufacturing of fertilizers, tourism also plays a major role in the income generation of the town.
Let us now take a glimpse of the best places to visit in Kumbakonam.
List of best places to visit in Kumbakonam
1. ADI KUMBESWARAR TEMPLE
This temple is one of the best places that must be visited in Kumbakonam. This temple is being considered to be built in the 7th century as it is being mentioned in the literature, it was built by the Cholas. The Adi Kameswar temple is artistic and dedicated to lord shiva with a unique Shiva Linga. In this temple a very famous festival that has been held once every twelve years nothing but the Mahama ham which makes the temple so special.
2. NAGESWARAN TEMPLE
This temple is one of the most important temples that is being dedicated to lord shiva. This temple acts as the best example to show the architectural and building technology of the Cholas, the most important feature of this temple is that it allows the sunlight to get inside the temple and fall right on the sanctum during April and May. This temple was being built in the form of a chariot. This place must be visited to get admired by the architectural build of the kings and it is recommended to visit during April and may to see the rays of the Sun falls directly falls on the sanctum.
3. MAHA MAHAM TANK
Mahama ham tank is considered to be the huge temple tank that is being located in Kumbakonam, nearly 1,00,000 visitors visit every day during the period of the Mahama ham festival that is being held once every 12 years has attracted nearly 2 million visitors. This festival occurs in February and march once every 12 years.
4. SARANGAPANI TEMPLE
This temple is located on the banks of the river Kaveri and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This is one of the best places to visit in Kumbakonam. There is the belief that taking a dip in the river Kaveri will wash away their sins and this temple is considered to be one of the most important lords Vishnu temples. Some people visit this temple as they believed they get peace and happiness. So, this temple must be on your list to be visited when you visit Kumbakonam.
5. AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE
This temple is located in Darasuram near Kumbakonam. This temple was being built in the 12th century by Raja Raja Chola. This temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and the stones present in the temple incorporate the chariot. This temple consists of small shrines that are dedicated to Durga, Saraswati, and Ganesa, etc. This temple is mainly attracted by the devotees and pilgrims this place must be visited in Kumbakonam.
6. KASHI VISWANATHAN TEMPLE
This temple was built in the 7th century and the Lingam is being work shipped as lord shiva. This is temple is one of the most famous temples in Kumbakonam, this temple is located near the banks of Mahama ham tank.
7. SWAMINATHASWAMY TEMPLE
This temple is dedicated to Murugan and is located in Kumbakonam he is the son of lord shiva who has another name Swaminathaswamy. It was renovated and modified mt Cholas and was greatly damaged during the French war but later it is being renovated by the government and stands as an exotic tourist’s place in Kumbakonam.
8. UPPILIAPPAN TEMPLE
This temple is being located near Thirunageswaram near Kozhikode. Uppiliappan Temple is a venerated Hindu sanctuary. Otherwise called Thiruvinnagar of Venkatachalapathy Temple, the sanctuary reveres Lord Vishnu and is built in the Dravidian style of design. The development of the sanctuary is accepted to have been begun during the reign of the Cholas in the eighth century AD and was finished in the hours of Thanjavur Nayaks. The five-layered gopuram is developed inside a stone divider and has two engravings dating from the Chola time frame.
9. THENUPURISWARAR TEMPLE
This temple is located in Patteeswaram in Kumbakonam, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built during the 7th century and has many shrines that make the temple special and attract tourists every day. The development of the sanctuary is accepted to have been begun during the reign of the Cholas in the eighth century AD and was finished in the hours of Thanjavur Nayaks. The five-layered Gopuram is developed inside a stone divider and has two engravings dating from the Chola time frame.
10. SURYANAR KOIL TEMPLE
It is located in Kumbakonam and is dedicated to the Hindu god sun. It was built during the 11th century and was being renovated by the Vijayanagar empire. Developed in the conventional Dravidian style of engineering, the sanctuary gloats of a five-layered gopuram, an intricate passage tower and great rock dividers encasing each holy place inside the premises at present it is being maintained by the government and attracts many tourists and this must be visited by tourists
11. MAHALINGESWARAR TEMPLE
This temple is being most popular is Kumbakonam. This temple was built in the 16th century and it consists of many inscriptions and many shrines this temple is well known in Kumbakonam because its built structure attracts a great tourist every day.
12. KAMPAHESWARAR TEMPLE
This temple is located in Thirubuvanam just 9km away from Kumbakonam and is dedicated to lord shiva. This temple consists of an enormous number of shrines and this temple is featured and Built in the traditional way of Dravidian style architecture. This temple consists of beautiful sculptures and builds most beautifully. The altar is well known among explorers and it is a typical conviction that asking here can comprehend obstacles in relationships and help with kid aid. The architecture of the temple makes it of the top 15 places to visit in Kumbakonam.
13. KANJANUR SUKRAN TEMPLE
This temple is being located in Kanjanur in Kumbakonam. The sanctuary brags of hitting structural artfulness with a five-layered gopuram. The development of the holy place is accepted to have been finished during the Vijayanagar Period and from that point forward, it is known by various names including Parasuraman, Brahmapur, etc. The Kanjur temple stands unique and the shrine enriches the stone image of Nataraja and Siva kami and this temple is also a great tourist place in Kumbakonam.
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14. CHAKRAPANI TEMPLE
Chakrapani Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One of the most famous temples located in Kumbakonam. This temple consists of a great idle of Lord Vishnu and his chakra. This temple has some similarities to other shiva temples. But has massive visitors every day. People say they find peace here which makes it one of the highly attractive places to visit in Kumbakonam.
15. KALYANASUNDARESAR TEMPLE
This temple is being dedicated to Lord Shiva and is being located in Kumbakonam. The historical backdrop of the sanctuary is related to sages Agastya and Amaraneethi Nayanar, both of who were Tamil Saiva holy people.
The sanctuary is accepted to have otherworldly powers and according to the regular conviction in the sanctuary changes shading multiple times in a day. It was built in the 9th century and attracts many tourists every day.
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