கும்பகோணம் சுற்றி உள்ள விஷ்ணு கோயில்கள்

Temples
Kumbakonam is known as the City of temples as there are around thousand of temples in and around Kumbakonam.
Lord Vishnu Temples
In Kumbakonam
1. Sarangapani Temple.
2. Chakrapani Temple.
Temples to the SouthEast of Kumbakonam
3. Tiruvinnagar(Uppiliyappan Koil).
4. Nachiyarkovil.
5. Thirucherai.
Temples to the West of Kumbakonam
6. Pullabhudangudi.
7. Kapisthalam.
Temples to the SouthWest of Kumbakonam
8. Nandipura Vinnagram
Temples to the NorthWest of Kumbakonam
9. Aadanur.
Temples to the NorthEast of Kumbakonam
10. Thiruvalliankudi.

Sarangapani Temple
Of the many temples in Kumbakonam, the most striking is the Lord Sarangapani Temple, a Vaishnavite temple. This twelve storied 147 feet (45 m) 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 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. The entire deity is said to be made from Saligrama monolith. The Temple is filled with intricate carvings in its pillars.
Thousands of people take the holy dip at the Mahamaham Festival.
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. 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.
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. Also known as "Koothandavar Kovil", it is located near the Kumbakonam old bus stand. Aditya Chola constructed this temple during the 12th century. It stands as a great marvel of Chola architecture, building technology and astronomy. 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. The Karuvarai (Sanctum Sanctorum) of Nageswaran temple is similar to that of Sarangapani temple, as it is made in the form of a Chariot. 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. Before the Sri Rangam Temple gopuram/Tower was built, this temple used to hold the place for the tallest Temple Tower in South Asia.
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. 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. 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. An important feature of this temple is that of Rahu bhagawan sannathi where milk abhishekham is performed daily during Rahukaalam. 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 Thenupureeswarar 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. 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.
Darasuram Temple
Navagraha Temples
The area surrounding Kumbakonam is home to a set of Navagraha temples dating from the Chola period.
Swamimalai temple
Main article: Swamimalai Murugan Temple
The Lord Murugan temple is located in Swami Malai, which is around 10 km from kumbakonam. 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 .
Thirubhuvanam
Thirubhuvanam is a small panchayat near the town of Kumbakonam. It has a Lord Sarabeswara (Shiva ) temple and Perumal temple located in the centre of the panchayat. 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
References
several prominent Temples in and around Kumbakonam, with pictures
Darasuram Temple Virtual Tour
Kumbakonam Temple City
Kudamookku

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Chidambaram-Thiruchitrambala Udayar

Chidambaram
This is located on the northern part of Cholamandalam. The city is known as Tillai. The temple is called Chidambaram. Owing to the popularity of the temple name, the city is referred to the same name. The deity is the famous Nataraja Swami. The temple has several names: Perumpatrapuliyur (due to the dedicated worship offered by Vyaaghrapaada), Chit + Ambaram (Jnana + space) = Chidambaram, Bhuloka kailash, Pundarikapuram etc. The resident devotees, known as Dikshitars, are the officiating priests.The temple represents Akasha (Sky; of the five elements). Among the sabhas, this is Kanakasabha.The deity is referred to as Chidambara Swami, Ambala Koothar, Thiruchitrambala Udayar, Ambala Vaanar, Koothabiran, Kanaka Sabaapati, and Sabhanaayaka. The goddess is Sivakami or Sivakama Sundari. The banyan tree is the sacred tree. There are several sacred ponds associated with this temple – Sivaganga, Brahmananda koopam, Vyaghrapaada tirtham, Brahma tirtha, and Ananda tirtham.There are five sabhas (hall) in this temple: Thiruchitrambalam, Ponnambalam, Perambalam, Nritya Sabha, and Raja Sabha.Chitrambalam : Saint Appar referred to this sabha as Chitrambalam. This is the sabha where Nataraja danced. A superior quality copper plating can be seen. Inscriptions indicate the Paraanthaka Chola gifted gold. The legends associated with the temple mention that Hiranyavarman had donated gold. The sabha is situated on a raised platform. To go up, we have climb five steps representing the Panchaakshara.Ponnambalam : The sabha where abhishekam was performed for Nataraja Swami. It forms the frontal part of Thiruchitrambalam. Here the Linga, made of alum, is worshipped six times in the day. In the second half of dawn, abhishekam is performed on Ratnasabhaapati. According to the legend of Sekkizhar Edankazhinayanar, Aditya Chola I brought superior quality gold from Kongunad to cover the front portion of this sabha. The song ‘Kadivettu pattu’ says the Manavil Koothan, the king of Kalinga, donated gold to Ponnambalam.Perambalam : This is devasabha. It is said based on a temple song Manavil Kootham. King of Kalinga, had arranged to cover the sabha with Tamrapatra during the time of Vikaramachola. Later Kulothungachola III covered it with gold. The hundred-pillared mandpam, Nandavana (garden) was constructed by him. It is said that he donated thousand cows. He had Thirumurai engraved on copper plates.Nrityasabha : This is situated to the south of the Dwaja sthamba of Nataraja Swami. This is the sabha where the Lord performed ‘Urthwa Tandavam’. The image of this dance posture can be seen here.Rajasabha : This is a thousand-pillared mandapam. The kings of the Chola dynasty were sworn in here amidst the people of Chidambaram. The Jeernodharana Pooja for this sabha was performed by Vikramachola. After the Chola rule, this sabha came under the people of Chidambaram. The commander of Vikramachola, Ponnambalam Koothan by name, constructed the thousand-pillared mandapam in the name Vikramachola. A mandapam to study Thevaram was built by him. He had the text engraved on copper plate;Gnana Sambandar had this Sabha with golt-plated.The eastern gopuram is seven storeyed. Inside, on four pillars, beautiful sculpted figures in various dance postures can be seen. On entering, to the right is the thousand pillared mandapam. We can see al the songs of Thiruvaachakam engraved on stone. On the western bank, there is the sannidhi of Pandinayaka (another name of Shanmukha). The sannidhi of Sivaka Sundari is situated separately. On the inner praakara, the sannidhis of Sahanayaka, Urthwatandava, and Sarabhamurti can be seen. In the sannidhi of Nataraja Swami, the gold-plated Dwajasthambham is present. The sannidhi of the goddess is within the praakara.Next, the idols of Kambathillaiyanar, Thayumanavar, Vinayaka, Subrahmanya Swami, can be seen. Adjacent to the swami sannidhi, the gold-plated idol of Parvatidevi can be seen. Here we find the mandapam of Sani. There is also the Alazhagar Sabha of Chitrambalam. In the front, there is the Perambalam mandapam.Next to Nataraja swami there is the Chidambara Rahasyam (representing the space within). Bats can be seen hanging in the cellar. On the left, we find Govindarajaswami sannidhi where the Swami is in the reclining posture. During circum-ambulation, we come across Venugopala sannidhi, the Utsavamurtis of Yatirajar, Yoganarasimha, Koorathazhlwar, and Anjaneya. The abhisehekam in the month of Aani, Thiruvaadurai in the month of Margazhi are grand festivals of this temple.

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