28. SRI SOMESWARASWAMY TEMPLE AT KUDANTHAI KARONAM (KUMBAKONAM)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	145th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	28th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

Kumbakonam:

Kumbakonam, popularly known as the “temple city”, is located on the banks of the river Cauveri. Cauvery and Arasalaru rivers flow in such a manner that they look like garlands adorning this place.

There are two nearby temples in this city - Sri Kasi Viswanathar temple and Sri Someswarar temple. Both the temples’ authorities claim that their temple is the Paadal Petra Sthalam where Saint Thirugnanasambanthar rendered his Pathigam. The saint ends each of the stanza with the word “Karonathare”. Incidentally, both these temples have a legend associated with “Karonam”. However, in the 7th stanza of his hymn, the saint referred to the Goddess as “Sri Thenar Mozhiyaar”. This is the name of the goddess at Sri Someswarar temple.

12 famous Shiva temples:

12 famous Shiva temples participate in the renowned “Mahaamaham” festival during which “Theerthavaari” happens in the Mahaamaha tank. This festival is celebrated once in 12 years in Kumbakonam. These 12 Shiva temples are:

·        Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Kumbakonam

·        Aadhi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

·        Someswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

·        Nageswarar (Vilvavaneswarar) Temple, Kumbakonam

·        Kalahasteeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

·        Gauthameswarar (Upaveethanathar) Temple, Kumbakonam

·        Koteeswarar Temple, Kottaiyur

·        Amirthakalasanathar Temple, Kalayanallur

·        Bhanapureeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

·        Abhimukeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

·        Aathikambatta Visvanathar Temple, Kumbakonam and

·        Ekambareswarar Temple, Kumbakonam.

5 Vaishnava temples from Kumbakonam:

Simultaneously, 5 Vaishnava temples from Kumbakonam also participate in this festival. However, instead of their Theerthavaari in Mahaamaha tank, the Theerthavaari happens in the river Kaveri. These Vaishnava temples are:

1. Sri Saarangapani temple

2. Sri Chakrapaani temple

3. Sri Ramaswami temple

4. Sri Rajagopalaswami temple and

5. Sri Aadhivaraha Perumal temple.

Sri Someswarar and Sri Thenar Mozhiyammai temple (HISTORY):

This temple is on the eastern side of the famous “Potramarai Kulam” (tank) and next to the famous Vaishnava shrine, Sri Sarankapani temple. 

Lord Shiva:

At the end of every “yuga”, there is a huge flood that leads to the destruction of all living beings in the earth. This is called the “Pralayam”. Lord Shiva, through Lord Brahma, arranged for the seeds of all living organisms and four Vedas and Puranas to be put in a pot (“Amutha Kalas” or Kumbham or Kudam in Tamil) filled with nectar (“amirtham”). This was decorated with flowers and cloth and a string was tied to it. This was kept on top of the Mount Kailash. When the Maha Pralayam started, it destroyed all living creatures on the earth. The Amutha Kalas also got displaced and started floating on the seas for years. Eventually when the Pralayam stopped, the Kalas settled in Kumbakonam. Then Lord Shiva took the form of a hunter (Kiratha Murthy) and split open the pot with his arrow. The life on earth started flourishing again.

It is believed that when Lord Shiva opened the pot with his arrow, the pot broke and the decorative items on it fell in various places across the earth. Each of these pieces became Shivalingams.

These places are -

·        “Kumbesam” – this is the place where the Amutha Kalas stayed. This is presently known as Sri Aadhi Kumbeswarar temple (“Aadhi” means “the very beginning”). It is believed that Lord Kiratha Murthy himself made a Shivalingam with the broken pieces of the Kalas by mixing nectar and sand with it. He worshiped this lingam and stayed back in this place. The Shivalingam is in the shape of the neck of a pot (“Kudamukku” in Tamil).

·        Somesam – This is the place where the Kalas’s string (“Uri” / “Sikkam” in Tamil) fell. This place is presently known as Sri Someswarar temple.

·        Nagesam – This is the place where the Kalas’s “vilvam” (leaf used in poojas) fell.  This place is presently known as Sri Nageswarar temple.

·        Abhimugesam – This is the place where the Kalas’s coconut fell. This place is presently known as Sri Abhimugeswarar temple.

·        Gautamesam – This is the place where the Kalas’s sacred thread fell.  This place is presently known as Sri Gautameswarar temple.

·        Kudavoil - This is the place where the Kalas’s rim fell. This place is presently known as Sri Koneswarar temple at Kudavasal.

·        Kalayanallur (Saakkottai) – This is the place where the mid-portion of the Kalas fell. This place is presently known as Sri Amirthakalasa Nathar temple.

·        Bhanathurai, - This is the place where Lord Shiva broke the Kalas with his arrow. This place is presently known as Sri Bhanapureeswarar temple.

·        Maalathivanam – This is the place where the Kalas’s flowers fell.  This place is presently known as Sri Aathikampatta Viswanathar temple.

·        Sri Kalahastheeswarar Koil – This is the place where the Kalas’s “Chandan” fell.

·        Sri Ekambareswarar temple - This is the place where the Kalas’s other decorative items fell.

·        Kottaiyur Sri Koteeswarar temple - This is the place where some drops of the nectar fell.

The nectar from the Kalas is believed to have reached the Mahaamaham and Potraamarai tanks.

This nectar is also believed to have spread around an area of about 24 kms. In this radius, there are five Shiva temples which are known as “Panchakurosa Sthalams” (“pancha means five and “kurosa” is a unit of measurement used in ancient times). These temples are Thiruvidaimaruthur, Koranattu Karuppur, Thirunageswaram, Swamimalai, and Dharasuram

Anecdotally, since the Kalas (also called Kumbam) settled in this place, it gets the name of “Kumbakonam”.

Nava Kannikas:

When the “Nava Kannikas” came to Mahaamaha tank to take a dip, there was a lot of noise and chaos. Goddess Parvathy embraced Lord Shiva (in the form of Arokanam) in fear. Hence this place gets the name “Kaya Arokanam” (“Kayam” means body and “Arokanam” means embraced) and the lord is known as “Sri Kayarokanar”. “Kaya Arokanam” has now changed to Karonam.

Lord Mahavishnu:

Lord Mahavishnu is believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva here for one year to receive the boon to fight and destroy demons. Hence Lord Shiva here is known as “Sri Maleesar” (“Mal” meaning Lord Mahavishnu).

Planet Jupitar and Lord Chandran:

Planet Jupitar (Guru/ Viyazhan) and Lord Chandran (moon) are believed to have worshiped the lord here. Chandran is also known as “Soman”, hence this place gets the name “Somesam” and the lord is praised as “Sri Viyazha Someswarar”.

Chola King Paranthakan:

Chola King Paranthakan visited this place, installed a Shivalingam and worshiped it to seek the lord’s blessing for “santhana prapthi” (child boon). The lingam installed by him is known as “Sri Chozheesar” (derived from Chola).

Mahamaham festival:

The Mahamaham festival takes place once in every twelve years during the Tamil Month of Masi (February - March), when lakhs of pilgrims from various parts of India visit Kumbakonam to take a holy dip in the sacred Mahamaham tank which is located in the heart of the town. After the dip here, devotees also take a dip in the nearby Potramarai tank and in the river Kaveri (Sakkara Padithurai bathing ghat).

16 Shivalingams:

The huge Mahamaha tank covers of an area of about 6 acres and it has 16 entrances. At each entrance, there is a shrine for Lord Shiva. These shrines are collectively called “Sodasa Mahalingaswamy” (“Sodasam means 16 in Tamil). The names of these 16 Shivalingams are –

·        Brahmatheertheswarar

·        Mukuntheswarar

·        Thaneswarar

·        Vrushabeswarar

·        Baneswarar

·        Koneswarar

·        Bakthikeswarar

·        Bairaveswarar

·        Agastheeswarar

·        Vyaseswarar

·        Uma Bakeswarar

·        Nirutheeswarar

·        Brahmeswarar

·        Gangathareswarar

·        Mukthi Theertheswarar

·        Kshetrabaleswarar.

·        Mahamaha Theertham is known as -

·        Brahma Theertham in “Kruthayugam”

·        Papanodam in “Threthayugam”

·        Mukthi Theertham in “Thuvabarayugam” and

·        Kanya Theertham in Kaliyugam.

20 wells and Theerthams:

There are 20 wells and Theerthams inside the Mahamaha tank, these are theerthams dedicated to Indra, Agni, Naga, Thiruthi, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera, Eesanya, Brahma, Ganga, Yamuna, Godhavari, Narmada, Saraswati, kaveri, Kumari, Bayoshini, Sarayu, Kanniya and Devas.

Lord Murugan:

The idol of Lord Murugan is unique here. He can be seen with six faces, seated on his peacock mount and wearing footwear (“Padarakshai”). Another significance in this shrine is that every month on Karthikai day, “Sataari” (crown) is placed on the devotees’ head similar to the practise in Vaishnava temples.

Panchakshra Mantra:

It is believed that in the year 1964, 100 devotees undertook the task of writing the five holy letters (“Panchakshra Mantra” - “Sivaya Nama”) one lakh time each thus making a total of one crore. They bound each such book and preserved it in a box which can be seen even now.

Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Visalakshi Ambal Temple (HISTORY):

This north facing temple is on situated on the northern side of the famous “Mahaamaha Kulam” (tank). 

Sage Agasthiyar:

Lord Ram was advised by Sage Agasthiyar to worship Lord Shiva here to acquire the traits of “Rudramsam” (Rudra meaning anger) before waging a war against the demon Ravana. As Lord Ram received the blessing of “Aarokanam” (fulfilment of every desire), this place gets the name Arokanam which has later been changed to “Karonam”.

Nine revered rivers:

Another legend is that all the nine revered rivers (Kaveri, Ganga, Yamuna, Narmadha, Saraswathi, Godhavari, Dhungabatra, Krishna and Sarayu) went to Lord Shiva and requested him to cleanse them since a large number of people took dips in them to get relieved from their sins. It is believed that Lord Shiva took them first to “Panchakurosa Sthalams” for taking a dip in the holy water and then brought them to this place. Here they were advised to take a dip in the “Mahamaha Kulam” on a Mahamaham day in order to be cleansed of their sins. It is believed that all the nine rivers accompanied Lord Shiva in the form of angels (Navakanniyars). It is also believed that thereafter Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy appeared before them in the form of Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi and stayed back in this temple.

SALIENT FEATURE:

Sri Someswarar and Sri Thenar Mozhiyammai Temple:

·        This east facing temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.

·        This temple is one of the participating temple in the Mahaamaham Theerthavaari.

·        This temple is considered to be significant for its three important attributes – Moorthy, Sthalam and Theertham - glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the auspicious temple tank.

·        As lords Chandran and Jupiter worshipped Lord Shiva here, devotees gather in large number especially on Mondays (auspicious for Chandran) and Thursdays (auspicious for Jupiter).

·        There is a popular saying in Sanskrit - Kumbakonam is more sacred than Varanasi (Kasi). A sin committed at some place can be washed away by visiting a neaby holy place.  A sin committed in one of the sacred places is washed away by going on a pilgrimage to Varanasi. However, if one commits a sin in Varanasi itself, it can only be washed off in Kumbakonam. Similarly, any sinful act done at Kumbakonam is washed away there itself.

·        The architecture and the beautiful sculptures in this temple highlight the excellence of the Dravidian school of architecture that flourished during the Chola period (13th century).

Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Visalakshi Ambal Temple:

·        Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).

·        This temple is one of the participating temple in the Mahaamaham Theerthavaari.

·        The significance feature of this temple is that a Shivalingam is installed under a Neem tree.

·        This temple has 2 corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers. Before the main tower, there is a beautiful arch with the sculptures depicting Lord Shiva accompanying the nine angels to the Mahaamaham tank.

·        This temple is also popularly known as “Nava Kannigaikal” temple.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Sri Someswarar and Sri Thenar Mozhiyammai Temple:

Moolavar	Sri Someswarar, Sri Kayarokanar, Sri Viyazha Somesar, Sri Sikkesar
Ambal	Sri Thenar Mozhiyammai, Sri Somasundari
Theertham	Mahamaha Theertham (tank), Potramarai tank
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam tree

Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Visalakshi Ambal Temple:

Moolavar	Sri Kasi Viswanathar
Ambal	Sri Visalakshi
Theertham	Mahamaha Theertham (tank)
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam tree

BELIEF:

Sri Someswarar and Sri Thenar Mozhiyammai Temple:

Devotees pray to Lord Kalyana Vinayakar in this temple for 11 consecutive Mondays in order to seek the lord’s blessings and remove obstacles from their marriage proposals. 

Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Visalakshi Ambal Temple:

It is believed that those seeking “Santhana Prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here. 

Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be removed and they will also be absolved of the sins of their previous birth. 

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Maasi	Feb-Mar	“Maasi Maham” Brahmotsavam

HOW TO REACH:

Kudanthai is now known as Kumbakonam. Kudanthai Karonam is the name of the temple that is located in the heart of Kumbakonam town. It is on the Chidambaram to Tanjure (via Mayiladuthurai) route. It is about 35 kms from Mayiladuthurai. Kumbakonam has a railway station and this temple is about 2 kms away from the station.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Someswarar and Sri Thenar Mozhiyammai Temple:

Sri Someswaraswamy Temple,
Kumbakonam,
Tanjure,
Tamil Nadu – 612 001.

Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Visalakshi Ambal Temple:

Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple,
Kumbakonam,
Tanjure,
Tamil Nadu – 612 001.

LOCATION: