Thirubuvanam

Travel for 9 km from Kumbakonam to reach the town of Thirubhuvanam, reputed for its Kampahareswarar Temple aka Sarabeswarar temple. The temple sees its place in the Thirubhuvanam on Mayiladuthurai – Kumbakonam road. The temple worships Lord Shiva; in the form of Kampaheswarar depicted as Shiva Linga. The construction of the temple is thought to be by Kulottunga Chola III (1178-1216), to celebrate a military victory and thank the almighty for the same.

Later, the Pandyan kings completed the construction of this temple. People say that this temple was the last holy place to have been built by the Chola Kings. The holy temple is built in a Dravidian style of architecture. The vimana of the temple is higher than the Raja gopura. The Gopuram of the sanctum of 130 ft high and flaunts some of the exquisitely carved sculptures. The temple holds two gopuras and two enclosures, the inner sanctum, artha mandapa, maha mandapa, and mukha mandapa.

The front part of the temple is awe-inspiring, resembling 120feet high chariot. The walls of the chariot, as well as the temple walls, are decorated with the scenes from the Ramayana. The temple also shows a sculpture of Sarabeshwarar with three legs, body and face of a lion and a tail and four arms. Festivals- The temple commences grand celebrations on Chitirai Brahmotsavams, Margazhi Thiruvathirai, Karthika Deepam, and Pradhosam.