?Kumbakonam Tamil Nadu • India
Kumbakonam
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. Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Indian Standard Time ( IST) is the time observed throughout India and Sri Lanka, with a Time offset of UTC+530. UTC+530 is the Timezone for Indian Standard Time Sri Lanka Time The geography of India is diverse with landscape ranging from snow-capped mountain ranges to deserts plains rainforests hills and plateaus The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Thanjavur District is one of the 30 districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. 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. A Postal Index Number or PIN or Pincode is the post office numbering or Post code system used by India Post the Indian Postal For the past decade or so telecommunication activities have gained momentum in India KA-19-P-8488jpg|thumb|270px|Close up of a licence plate used in Mangalore, Karnataka. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. A municipality is an administrative entity composed of a clearly defined territory and its population and commonly denotes a City, Town, or Village, or Thanjavur District is one of the 30 districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country India is a union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India.

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. Mahamaham is a Hindu Kumb Mela festival celebrated every 12 years in a small temple-town called Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. 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. A tehsil ( Urdu: تحصیل) (or tahsil, tahasil, taluka, taluk, taluq, mandal) is an Administrative division It is located 40km from Thanjavur and 293Km from Chennai. Thanjavur ( Tamil: தஞ்சாவூர் also known by its Anglicised name Tanjore, and it is the Eleventh largest city in Tamil Nadu (after Kumbakonam is the heart of Thanjavur district

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. Thanjavur District is one of the 30 districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. The drifting pot settled at Kumbakonam.

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. Pazhaiyaarai was an ancient capital of the medieval Chola dynasty, in southern India. 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. Ponniyin Selvan ( Tamil: பொன்னியின் செல்வன், "The Son of Ponni " is a famous 2400 page D. , gives a detailed description of Kudanthai and elevates it to the status of a regional headquarters of the Chola governors.

Geography

Kumbakonam is located at 10.97° N 79.38° E. ^[2] It has an average elevation of 24 metres (78 feet). The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit Kumbakonam is located 273 km south of Chennai, 96 km east of Tiruchirappalli, and about 40 km north-east of Thanjavur. The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Tiruchirappalli ( Tamil: தி௫ச்சிராப்பள்ளி also spelled Tiruchirapalli Thanjavur ( Tamil: தஞ்சாவூர் also known by its Anglicised name Tanjore, and it is the Eleventh largest city in Tamil Nadu (after The town is bounded by two rivers, the Kaveri River on the north and Arasalar River on the south. The Kaveri River ( Kannada: ಕಾವೇರಿ ನದಿ Tamil: காவிரி ஆறு also spelled Cauvery in English The river Arasalar is a branch of Cauvery which split into 5 different rivers when it enters into Tanjore District from Trichy. There is a gentle slope from north of the town to south.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[3] Kumbakonam had a population of 140,021. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population 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.

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. The Betel ( Piper betle) is the leaf of a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family which includes pepper and Kava) 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.

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

Sarangapani Temple

Of the many temples in Kumbakonam, the most striking is the Lord Sarangapani Temple, a Vaishnavite temple. Rama ( IAST: rāma Devanāgarī: राम Khmer: Phreah Ream Thai: Phra Ram Lao: Phra Lam Tagalog: Thirubuvanam is a village near Kumbakonam in the Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk of Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu or its associated avatars principally as Rama and This twelve storied 147 feet high temple was built by the Nayak Kings during 15th century.

Ramaswamy Temple

The Ramaswamy Temple which depicts the paintings of Ramayana is another important Vaishanavite temple in Kumbakonam. The Rāmāyaṇa ( Devanāgarī: sa रामायण is an ancient Sanskrit epic attributed to the Hindu sage ( Maharishi) Valmiki 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. Rama ( IAST: rāma Devanāgarī: राम Khmer: Phreah Ream Thai: Phra Ram Lao: Phra Lam Tagalog: SITA is a multinational Information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the Aviation industry Hanuman (हनुमत् sa-Latn '''Hanumat''' nominative singular sa हनुमान् sa-Latn ''Hanumān'' known also as ' Anjaneya' (son of Anjana is one of the Veena (also spelled 'vina' Kannada: ವೀಣ Malayalam: വീണ Tamil: வீணா Telugu: వీణ is a Plucked stringed The entire deity is said to be made from Saligrama monolith. Sila, (also spelt as Shila or Sheela) refers to a Vaishnava ( Hindu) Murti in the form of a spherical usually black-coloured stone The Temple is filled with intricate carvings in its pillars.

Mahamaham Tank

Mahamaham 2004 Festival details Mahamaham Tank images

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/

Kumbeswara Temple

Main article: Kumbeswara Temple

Kumbeswara Temple is an important Saivite temple situated at the central part of the town. Kumbeswarar Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at the center of the Tamilnadu town Kumbakonam, India. Shaivism, also spelled "Saivism" names the oldest of the four sects of Hinduism. 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. A lakh (also written lac, and lackh in an Indian english language news source India PR Wire 8 Oct '08 is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to

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.

Nageswaran Temple

Nageswaran Temple, is dedicated to Shiva in the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king. Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva Also known as "Koothandavar Kovil", it is located near the Kumbakonam old bus stand. Aditya Chola constructed this temple during the 12th century. Aditya I ( Tamil:முதலாம் ஆதித்த சோழன் (c It stands as a great marvel of Chola architecture, building technology and astronomy. Astronomy (from the Greek words astron (ἄστρον "star" and nomos (νόμος "law" is the scientific study 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. In Hinduism, Surya ( Devanagari: सूर्य sūrya, lit "the Supreme Light" Malay: Suria; Thai: The Karuvarai (Sanctum Sanctorum) of Nageswaran temple is similar to that of Sarangapani temple, as it is made in the form of a Chariot. Temple cars are Chariots used to carry idols of Hindu gods. The car pulling is usually on festival days where many folks pull the cart 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

Sarangapani Temple

Main article: Sarangapani Temple

This famous pancharanga kshetram is in the midst of the busy market place. Pancharanga Kshetrams literally means 5 Ranganatha temples (pancha five Kshetrams holy places Before the Sri Rangam Temple gopuram/Tower was built, this temple used to hold the place for the tallest Temple Tower in South Asia. This article is about a notable Hindu pilgrimage location in Tamil Nadu, India. A Gopuram or gopura (also known as a vimanam) is a monumental tower usually ornate at the entrance of a temple especially in Southern India. The Chariot festival which happens every year is one of the big festivals in the town.

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. Dravidian architecture was a style of architecture that emerged thousands of years ago in the Indian subcontinent Arumugam and Thenar Mozhi Ammal are the other deities located in this temple complex.

The temples at Thirunageswaram

Thirunageswaram is located 8 km east of Kumbakonam. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Thirunageswaram is a Panchayat town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state 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. Oppiliyappan Sannadhi is a famous Vaishnavite temple situated near the town of Kumbakonam (about 5 km An important feature of this temple is that of Rahu bhagawan sannathi where milk abhishekham is performed daily during Rahukaalam. In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a Snake that swallows the Sun or the Moon causing Eclipses He is depicted in art as a dragon with no body According to Hindus, this time is very inauspicious to undertake any new venture 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

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.

Airavatesvara Temple

Main article: Airavatesvara 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. Airateswara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian architecture located in the town of Darasuram, near Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Darasuram is a small town near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Rajaraja Chola II succeeded his father Kulothunga Chola II to the Chola throne in 1150 C 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.

Navagraha Temples

The area surrounding Kumbakonam is home to a set of Navagraha temples dating from the Chola period. Navagraha temples are temples devoted to the nine (nava major celestial bodies ( Grahas of Hindu astronomy.

Swamimalai temple

Main article: Swamimalai Murugan Temple

The Lord Murugan temple is located in Swami Malai, which is around 10 km from kumbakonam. Swamimalai Murugan Temple is a Hindu Temple located in the township of Swamimalai, 250 km from Chennai and is very close to Thanjavur 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.

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

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

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 .

Other places of worship

In 1853, a Protestant Church was erected in the town. Year 1853 ( MDCCCLIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. And there are around 8 Mosques in Kumbakonam.

Thirubhuvanam

Thirubhuvanam is a small panchayat near the town of Kumbakonam. Thirubuvanam is a village near Kumbakonam in the Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk of Thanjavur district in the Indian state of It has a Lord Sarabeswara (Shiva ) temple and Perumal temple located in the centre of the panchayat. In Hindu belief god Shiva took the form of a Sharaba, which is part- Lion, part- Human and part- Bird. 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

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. The city of Cambridge (ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England South India is the area encompassing India 's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union 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)

Notable people from Kumbakonam

• Srinivasa Ramanujan -- Famous Mathematician
• V. S. Srinivasa Sastri - English orator
• U.V. Swaminatha Iyer -- Tamil scholar
• G.K. Moopanar -- Tamil politician. Rt Hon'ble V S Srinivasa Sastri was an educator statesman legislator and ambassador from India Dr U V Swaminatha Iyer (Uttamadhanapuram Venkatasubbaiyer Swaminatha Iyer Tamil: உத்தமதானபுரம் வேங்கடசுப்பையர் சாமிநாதையர் GK Moopanar (முப்பனார் (1931-2001 was a senior Tamil Nadu politician with ties to the Indian National Congress. Founder, Tamil Maanila Congress
• M.S. Swaminathan -- Indian agriculture scientist
• Sri Sri Ravi Shankar -- A spiritual and humanitarian leader
• S. Kumarasamy -- Ex-Municipal Chairman, Kumbakonam
• S. Shankar -- Film director

External links

• A Weekly updated Website of Kumbakonam (Both Tamil & English ) * List of several prominent Temples in and around Kumbakonam, with pictures
• The greatest of Masters, who lived in kumbakonam and the founder of The Yoga School Friends' society, Master Venkasamy
• Temples in Kumbakonam
• http://www.mayiladuthuraionline.com
• http://www.thanjavur.tn.nic.in/tour.htm#14
• Darasuram Temple Virtual Tour
• Kumbakonam Temple City
• Kudamookku

References