Adi Kumbheswara Temple, Kumbakonam, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. The Adi Kumbheswara Temple timings are from 6:00 am – 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm.
Lord Shiva is worshipped as Adi Kumbheshwar and had represented by a lingam. His wife, Parvati Mangalambi, had been portrayed as Amman. The 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, Thevaram, written by Tamil saints known as Nayanmars and classified as a padal petra site, is honoured at Devaram.
History of Adi Kumbheswara Temple
Contents
- 1 History of Adi Kumbheswara Temple
- 1.1 Construction of Adi Kumbheswara Temple
- 1.2 Adi Kumbheswara Temple Festivals
- 1.3 Temple opening hours
- 1.4 Temples near Kumbheswara Temple
- 1.5 Nearest places to visit Adi Kumbheswara Temple:
- 1.6 Where to Stay Nearby Adi Kumbheswara Temple?
- 1.7 Adi Kumbheswara Temple Contact Details
- 1.8 How to reach Adi Kumbheswara Temple?
- 1.9 FAQs
- 2 How old is Adi Kumbeswara Temple?
- 3 What is the name of the elephant in Adi Kumbheshwar Temple?
- 4 What’s so special about Kumbakonam?
- 5 What is good to buy in a Kumbakonam?
The temple has existed since the Chola period of the 7th century and had maintained by the Nayakas in the 15th-17th century. Kumbhakonam had also identified with the Sangam era settlement of Kudavail.
Construction of Adi Kumbheswara Temple
The temple consists of 3 concentric compounds, with triple sets of gopurams along the east-west axis. The Kumbeswarar temple complex covers an area of 30,181 square feet and has four gateway towers known as gopurams.
The tallest is the East Gopuram, 11 storeys and 128 feet high; the temple approached through a corridor 330 feet long and 15 feet wide. The temple has five silver-plated chariots to carry the temple deities during festivals.
The temple is the most prominent Lord Shiva temple in Kumbakonam and has a 9-storied Rajagopuram (gateway tower) 125 feet high, spread over 4 acres in the centre of the town.
Adi Kumbheswara Temple Festivals
Mahamaham festival is celebrated every twelve years in Tamil Masi (February – March).
- Sabdhasthanam festival in Chittirai (April – May)
- Thirukalyanam (marriage festival) in Vaiksai (May – June)
- Thirumanjanam Ani (June – July)
- Adi Peruku
- Adi Pooram ( July – August)
- Panguni Festival (March – April)
Parking: Ample car parking around the temple premises can accommodate many vehicles
Temple opening hours
- Morning Hours: 6:00 am – 12:30 pm
- Evening Hours: 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
| Days | Morning Timings | Evening Timings |
| Monday | 6:00 am – 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:00 am – 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:00 am – 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6:00 am – 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Friday | 6:00 am – 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 6:00 am – 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 6:00 am – 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
Temples near Kumbheswara Temple
- Chakrapani Temple
- Sri Valangaiman Mariamman Temple
- Thirunageswaram – Uppiliyappan Temple
- Thirunageswaram Naganathar (Raghu Sthalam) Temple
- Brihadeeswarar Temple
Nearest places to visit Adi Kumbheswara Temple:
Darasuram:
Dharasuram, or Darasuram, is a panchayat town located 3 km from Kumbakonam in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. As of the 2001 census, the city had a population of 13,027.
The town is famous for the Airavateswara temple, built by Rajadiraja Chola II in the 12th century AD. This temple had recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Monument.
Papanasam:
Papanasam (Thanjavur) is a panchayat town in the Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu. In other words, it is a growing village and a growing town.
It is a town 25 km from Thanjavur and 15 km from Kumbakonam. The three rivers, Cauvery, Thirumalarajan and Kudamurutti, help the farmers to grow good food grains.
Thirubuvanam:
Thirubuvanam is very close to the river Cauvery and is famous for manufacturing silk sarees and textile goods in Tamil Nadu.
In India’s ancient and emerging modern state, handwoven silk sarees and textile materials have their brands and respective values associated with the town or village.
Thirubuvanam silk sarees are famous in this regard. They had accepted silk sarees from the mighty and life-giving Kaveri River delta, with many tributaries flowing through this delta region.
Where to Stay Nearby Adi Kumbheswara Temple?
Nearby hotels are as follows:
- Veg Hotel – Balaji Bhavan
- Sri Murari
- Sri Mangalambika Vilas
- Non-Veg Hotel – Athurar Briyani
- Pandyan Hotel
- Rai’s Restaurant
- Riya Hotel
Adi Kumbheswara Temple Contact Details
- Address: Thanjavur Main Road, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
- Landmark: Adi Kumbheswarar Temple had located near Theppakulam
- Contact Number: 04352420276
- Adi Kumbheswara Temple: Website
How to reach Adi Kumbheswara Temple?
By Air:
The nearest Airport is Trichy International Airport – 102 km
By Rail:
Kumbakonam Railway is the nearest Railway station, about 2.5 km.
By Bus:
Ati Kumbheswarar Temple had located on the Thanjavur main road in Kumbakonam City. Many buses are available, which are 2 km from Kumbakonam Bus Terminal. The bus stop is known as the “Mottai Gopuram” bus stop, and many buses pass through this bus stop.
FAQs
How old is Adi Kumbeswara Temple?
The present stone structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, but later expansions were attributed to the Vijayanagara rulers of the Thanjavur chieftains of the 16th century.
What is the name of the elephant in Adi Kumbheshwar Temple?
The temple is located inside Kumbakonam and is easily accessible by road. The main attraction here is the elephant grace.
What’s so special about Kumbakonam?
Kumbakonam (Kumbakonam) is a beautiful town on the banks of the Kaveri and Arasalar rivers. Popularly known as a temple town, Kumbakonam is home to around 188 temples, the major of which is the Kumbheswarar Temple. It is the oldest shrine in the region, dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in the 7th century.
What is good to buy in a Kumbakonam?
It is famous for its rich collection of the finest silk sarees handmade by the locals.