Thanjavur - Temples

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Thanjavur - Temples

Thiruvidaimaruthur:

Kanjanur

God Agneeswarasamy and Goddess Sri Karpatgambal Temple is located at Kanjanur in Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk. 20 KM. North East of Kumbakonam. It is a faith prevails i.e. if we pray God and Goddess all over sins will be removed from us.

Sooriyanarkovil

Another important Temple is Sooriyanarkovil ( Sun Temple ) situated in the Middle of the Sooriyanarkoil village in Thiruvidamarudur Taluk 17 KM North East of Kumbakonam. Large number of people worship the Sun God here.

Sri Mahalingasamy Temple

Sri Mahalingasamy temple at Thiruvidaimarudur is a very big temple and it is believed that Brahmahathi Dosham was removed from King Varagunapandian in this temple.

Thirubuvanam temple

Thirubuvanam temple was built by king Kulothunga on the model of Thanjavur Brahadeeswarar temple. The stately stone gopuram of rare workmanship from the pedestal to the stripe is a standing monument of the architectural glory. A stone inscription in the temple disclose the existence of a university here for teaching advanced courses in Miamsa and Tamil.

Saivat Mutt

A Saivat Mutt called Kasimutt founded by Sri.Kumaragurubarar is situated in Thirupanandal, 20 KM north west of Kumbakonam and has a branch at Varanasi.

KUMBAKONAM TALUK

Sri Adhikumbeswaraswamy temple is an ancient shrine located at Kumbakonam. Kumbakonam was the capital of Cholas during 7th Century. The temple was built by Cholas and the presiding deity of the temple is Adhikumbeswaraswamy and his consort Mangalambikai. The temple covers an area of more than 4 acres and bears stone inscriptions. Lort Kumbeswara is a Swamyambu Lingam and Sri Mangalambikai is in standing style. On a single block of stone in the Navarathiri Mandapam all the twenty seven stars and 12 Rasis have been carved out. Festival is celebrated almost every month of which the Maham festival in the Tamil month Masi (Feb-March) is the most important festival.

Maha Maham festival is celebrated in Kumbakonam once in twelve years. This celebration coincides when Jupiter (Guru) stays in Leo (Shimma Rasi) and the Sun in Aquarius (Mesha Rasi) on the full moon day. Bathing in the tank at this time is considered to be sacred as the water of the Ganges is supposed to enter the tank. The Mahamaham festival is attended by lakhs of devotees from all over the country and the last Mahamaham was celebrated on 18.2.92. The next Maha Maham festival will be celebrated on 2004.

Sri Naganathaswamy temple (Sri Rahu abode) is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which is located at Thirunageswaram, 7 Km east of Kumbakonam. It is believed that Rahu Bhagavan (One of the nine orbiting planets of Sun) absolved his curse by worshipping the Lord here. One can see the rare Rahu Bhagavan idol with his two consorts in this temple. Devotees perform milk abishegam to get rid of their Rahu Dosham or its evil effects. During the time of the abishegams when the milk is poured on Rahu idol, the milk looks bluish in colour to the eyes of the devotees.

Another important Vaishnava temple located in Thirunageswaram is Sri Oppilliappan temple. The deity is also known as Srinivasan and devotees fulfill their vows here instead of Thirupathi since the god is considered as the elder brother of Lord Venkatachalapathy. It is believed that the God married his consort Boomadevi, here at her very young age. Every month Sravana Deepam is taken around the temple and is witnessed by large devotees. Sravana Nakshathiram is the birth star of the lord.

Sri Swaminathaswamy temple is built on an artificial hillock about sixty feet high in Swamimalai, a small town near Kumbakonam. The hill temple has sixty steps coinciding with 60 Tamil years. The presiding deities are life images of Muruga and Siva- the son imparting the divine message “Pranava” to his father. Sri Swaminathaswamy is in a six feet high granite idol in a standing poisture offering a spectacular view to devotees. This temple is one of the six abodes (Arupadaiveedu) of Lord Murugan. On the way to Swamimalai a famous Vinayaga temple is located in Thiruvalanjuli village where the Vinayaga idol is in white colour.

Sri Ayaravatheeswarar temple known for architectural skill is located in Darasuram near Kumbakonam and was built by Rajendra Chola I. Famous icons have been discovered during recent renovations and this temple is a protected monument under the control of Archeological Survey of India.

Thanjavur - Temples

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