Adi Kumbeswarar Temple

Near the Kumbakonam Railway Station, is the famous Hindu Adi Kumbeswarar Temple aka Thirukudamooku. The holy temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple holds the prestige of being the 26th Paadal Petra Sthalam in the Chola kingdom that spread south of the River Cauvery. The construction of the temple is believed to be in the 9th century, during the Chola dynasty. The temple later saw renovation in the 16th century by the efforts of Govinda Dikshitar, the Chieftain of Achutha Nayakar of Thanjavur. The temple is now under the supervision of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple holds mythological stories behind its construction which can be learned about on the trip to the temple.

The temple is an excellent example of the Dravidian style of architecture. The mighty temple indicates the excellent craftsmanship of the people of the past. The construction and architecture of the temple is worth appreciating. The mighty temple holds a holy land of 4 acres. There are three Prakaras and three Gopurams in the temple. The heights of which is the East Gopuram, comprising of 9 stories and a height of 128 ft.  The presiding deity of the temple is Adi Kumbeswarar, sitting at the center of the temple. The Lingam itself holds many mythological stories behind its shape and existence. The shape of the lingam is as that of a needle, broader at the bottom and narrower at the top, and said to have been made by Shiva himself when he mixed nectar of immortality and sand.

Apart, there is also a separate shrine for Goddess Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika. Another significant inclusion of the temple is its 27-star sign and 12 sun shines that are sculptured in a large block of stone. The temple also worships Lord Ganapati, Lord Muruga, and Kiratamurti. Inside the temple are the holy tanks nemaed- The Mahamaham tank, Potramarai Tirtha, Varuna Tirtha, Kasyapa Tirtha, Chakra Tirtha, Matanga Tirtha, and Bhagavad Tirtha.

Festivals- The most important festival of the temple is Mahamaham which is celebrated once in twelve years. Other festivals of the temple are- Sabthasthanam, Brahmotsavam, Thirukalyanam, Thirumanjanam, Aadi Pooram, Panguni Festival, Butter Pot Festival.