This
is the largest and the oldest Shiva temple located in the center of the town
of Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Kumbeswara and the
presiding Goddess is Sri Mangalambigai. There is a shrine dedicated to Adi
Vinayaka (Lord Ganesh).
History unfurls !
A Chola King built the temple and the temple building itself would seem to
have been renovated by the Nayak King. Some of the old images like "Sri
Ambal", "Sri Durgaiamman" and "Sri Kirathamoorti"
bear the impress of the antiquity about them.
Festive zeal in the abode of divinity
The great Mahamaham festival celebrated in honour of Lord attracts lakhs of
people from far and wide and it takes place once in 12 years. It is
celebrated on the conjunction of the moon with the Mahanakshatra and Jupiter
crosses one Rasi or sign in about one year. It comes to Simha Rasi or Leo
every 13th year and it is considered specially sacred. It is believed that
on this auspicious day the tank receives supplies of water from the Ganges
and eight other holy rivers and all the deities are said to remain present
here on that occasion.
The Lord has a number of festivals round the year. Every year in the month
of 'Maasi' (February-March) a festival is conducted and the image of Lord
Kumbeswara is taken out in a procession. It is celebrated for 10 days during
that period.
Others include, Theppam festival during Panguni (March - April),
Sapthathanam during Chitirai month (April - May). During this festival
Lord's idol will be carried in a palanquin to the nearby villages. Marriage
festival for Lord Adikumbeswara and Goddess Mangalambigai is conducted in
the month of 'Vaikasi' (May - June). Daily pujas are conducted six times
from morning to evening.
Temple Timings
The temple is kept open from 5:30 in the morning and stays so till 12:00 in
the noon. The temple usually remains closed during the noon hours, and
reopens in the evening at 4:00 p.m. The temple closes in the night after the
last pujas are performed by 8:00 p.m.
Kumbeswara
Temple
