Kumbakonam
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| Kumbakonam | |
  Kumbakonam
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| State - District(s) |
Tamil Nadu - Thanjavur |
| Coordinates | |
| Area - Elevation |
- 24 m |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population (2001) - Density |
140,021 - |
| Municipal Chairperson | Su. Pa. Thamizhazhagan[1] |
Kumbakonam (Tamil: கும்பகோணம்) is a city and a municipality in the Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Kumbakonam is sometimes called temple town because of the large number of temples within the town and the nearby areas. The festival of Mahamaham is celebrated every 12 years at the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam. The town is known for its temples, intricately carved panchaloha idols, exquisite brass wares especially lamps, silk and betel leaves.
Kumbakonam is the headquarters of Kumbakonam Taluk.
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[edit] Origin of name
According to legend, Kumbakonam is the location where the kumbha (pot) in which Brahma placed the seed of creation during the great deluge came to rest. Kumbakonam is thus said to be the location from which life in the current cycle of creation first came forth. This town also has another Tamil nick name Kudanthai.
[edit] History
Pazhaiyaarai, near Kumbakonam was once the capital of the Cholas in the 9th century.
[edit] Geography
Kumbakonam is located at .[2] It has an average elevation of 24 metres (78 feet). Kumbakonam is located 273 km south of Chennai, 96 km east of Tiruchirappalli, and about 40 km north-east of Thanjavur. The town is bounded by two rivers, the Kaveri River on the north and Arasalar River on the south. There is a gentle slope from north of the town to south.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India census,GRIndia Kumbakonam had a population of 140,021. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Kumbakonam has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 70%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Economy
Kumbakonam is primarily a market city for surrounding agricultural villages. The town is surrounded by small villages of great historical importance. The agricultural region around the town is famous for its betelnuts and betel leaves. In the pre-independence era, it was a market town where people from all over the Kaveri delta region came and sold their goods. The town is also native to many goldsmiths and ornament makers.
[edit] Temples
Of the many temples in Kumbakonam, the most striking is the Lord Sarangapani Temple, a Vaishnavite temple. This twelve storied 147 feet high temple was built by the Nayak Kings during 15th century. The Ramaswamy Temple which depicts the paintings of Ramayana is another important Vaishanavite temple in Kumbakonam. The greatness of Ramaswamy Temple is said to be the only temple where Lord Rama, Goddess Sita are in the same platform and Lord Hanuman is playing the veena instead of reading the Ramayana. The entire deity is said to be made from Saligrama monolith. The Temple is filled with intricate carvings in its pillars.
[edit] Mahamaham Tank
Mahamaham 2004 Festival details Mahamaham Tank images
[edit] Chakrapani Temple
Chakrapani Temple is situated about 1.5 km North of Ramaswamy Temple. Here the main deity is Chakraraja. The Sudharshana Chakra is also here. The temple is also an exquisite exponent of the early temple architecture. The important and peculiar point about this temple is that Vilva (Bilwa) archana which is normally performed in Shiva temples is also performed here for the Perumal (Lord Vishnu).
[edit] Kumbeswara Temple
Kumbeswara Temple is an important Saivite temple situated at the central part of the town. Shri Adhi Kumbeswara is the presiding deity of Kumbakonam and Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika is the lord's Consort. The temple complex is huge and has beautiful artwork. The important festival of the town is the Mahamaham festival. This takes place once every 12 years during the Tamil Month of Masi (February/March), when lakhs of pilgrims from various parts of India visit Kumbakonam to take a holy bath in the sacred Mahamaham tank which is located in the heart of the town.
[edit] Nageswaran Temple
Nageswaran Temple, is dedicated to Shiva in the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king. Also known as "Koothandavar Kovil", it is located near the Kumbakonam old bus stand. Aditya Chola constructed this temple during the 12th century. It stands as a great marvel of Chola architecture, building technology and astronomy. The design and orientation are structured in such a way that it allows sunlight inside the temple only during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May), therefore, it bears another name called Surya Kottam or Keel Kottam. The Karuvarai (Sanctum Sanctorum) of Nageswaran temple is similar to that of Sarangapani temple, as it is made in the form of a Chariot. The temple consists of three gopurams in the eastern western & southern directions.
[edit] Sarangapani Temple
This famous Vaishnav temple is in the midst of the busy market place. Before the Sri Rangam Temple gopuram/Tower was built, this temple used to hold the place for the tallest Temple Tower in South Asia. The Chariot festival which happens every year is one of the big festivals in the town.
[edit] Someswar Temple
Someswar Temple is situated in the southern portion of Sri Sarangapani temple. This temple faces east with a 5-tier Gopuram at the entrance. It also has an entrance in the south. The architectural style and element of this temple resembles the Dravidian Architecture of 13th century of the Chola period. Arumugam and Thenar Mozhi Ammal are the other deities located in this temple complex.
[edit] The temples at Thirunageswaram
Thirunageswaram is located 8 km east of Kumbakonam. There are two major temples at Thirunageswaram. One the famous Vaishnavaite temple of Oppliyappan (Oppliyappan Sannadhi), the other the ThiruNageswarar or NagaNathaswami (Naga in Tamil/Sanskrit means Snake and Natha means God) temple for Shaivaites. An important feature of this temple is that of Rahu bhagawan sannathi where milk abhishekham is performed daily during Rahukaalam. At this time, the milk that is poured on the statue turns blue when it passes over the body and once again to white after it reaches the floor. This wonder is watched by many daily during the raahu kaalam. This is also the only place wherein one can view Rahu bhagawan with his consorts. Sri Thirupureeswarar temple at Pateeswaram, 5 km south-east of Kumbakonam, was constructed during the 16th century by Govinda Dikshithar, a Minister of Nayak King Acchathappa.
[edit] Airavatesvara Temple
The temple at Darasuram, 4 km west of Kumbakonam is Airvatesvara (Airavat is the holy white elephant) Temple, constructed by Rajaraja Chola II (1146-63), is a superb example of 12 Century Chola architecture. Many statues were removed to the art gallery in the Thanjavur Palace, but have since been returned. The remarkable structures depict, among other things, Shiva as Kankala-murti - the mendicant. Stories from epics and Hindu mythology are depicted. Adjoining the Airavatesvara temple is the Deiva Nayaki Ambal temple.
In the year 2004, the Archelogical Survey of India (ASI) excavated and restored the temple.
[edit] Nearby Navagraha Temples
The area surrounding Kumbakonam is home to a set of Navagraha temples dating from the Chola period.
[edit] Swami Malai temple
The Lord Murugan temple is located in Swami Malai, which is around 10 kms from kumbakonam. It is one of the six famous temples for Lord Muruga.
[edit] Other places of worship
In 1853, a Protestant Church was erected in the town.
Shri Ragavendra Swami lived here during his younger days. Town is still home for one of his Mutt.
[edit] Thirubhuvanam
Thirubhuvanam is a small panchayat near kumbakonam town. It has a Lord Shiva temple and Perumal temple located in the centre of the panchayat. This small town is famous for silk sarees like Kanchipuram silk. The famous "Thico Silks" is localated here. Silk weaving is the main business of this town. Thirubuvanam Temple Photos
[edit] Education
The Government Arts College at Kumbakonam, known as the "Cambridge of South India", is one of the oldest colleges in the Tamil Nadu State. This College's Porter Hall was built in the memory of a former principal of the college in 1885.
Govt. Womens College.
Govt. Arts & Crafts college.
Annai college of Arts and science.
Arasu Engineering College can be found on Chennai Main Road.
Town Higher Sec School (where the great mathematician studied) is one of the famous schools.
Other important schools are:
- The Native Higher Secondary School
- The Little Flower Higher Secondary School
- Banadurai Higher Secondary School
- St. Joseph's Girls Higher Secondary School
- ARR Matriculation School
- Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School
- Al Ameen Matriculation Higher Sec. school
- Christ The King Matriculation Higher Sec. school
- Sri Madha Matriculation School
In 2004, tragedy struck Kumbakonam when a school caught fire killing 92. [1].
[edit] Famous people from Kumbakonam
- Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan
- Orator Silver tongue Srinivasa Sastry
- Tamil thatha (grandpa) U.VE.Swaminatha Iyer
- Actor and Politician M.G. Ramachandran did schooling here
- Father of Green Revolution M.S. Swaminathan was born on Aug 7, 1925
- Late E.S.M. Packeer Mohamed (Famous Businessman)
- A.R.R Group of Companies owned by Dr.S.Subramaniyam is located here.
- T.S.R Group was founded here in 1909 by T.S.Rajagopal Iyengar
- Kali Material Handling Systems, Manufacturers of Conveyor Idlers and Pulleys
- Raman and Raman Bus Transport was founded here by Late Mr. P.S Narayana Iyer
- Raman and Raman Kasiraman S/O P.S Narayana Iyer Ex-MLA, designed the first town planning and underground flood and drainage system. A concept that is used wide across the state today
[edit] External links
- List of several prominent Temples in and around Kumbakonam, with pictures
- Temples in Kumbakonam
- http://www.mayiladuthuraionline.com
- http://www.thanjavur.tn.nic.in/tour.htm#14
- Darasuram Temple Virtual Tour
[edit] References
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State of Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Topics | History | Politics | Tamil people |
|---|---|
| Capital | Chennai |
| Districts | Chennai • Coimbatore • Cuddalore • Dharmapuri • Dindigul • Erode • Kanchipuram • Kanyakumari • Karur • Krishnagiri • Madurai • Nagapattinam • Namakkal • Perambalur • Pudukkottai • Ramanathapuram • Salem • Sivaganga • Thanjavur • The Nilgiris • Theni • Thoothukudi • Tiruchirapalli • Tirunelveli • Tiruvallur • Tiruvannamalai • Tiruvarur • Vellore • Viluppuram • Virudhunagar |
| Major cities | Alandur • Avadi • Ambattur • Chennai • Coimbatore • Cuddalore • Dindigul • Erode • Kancheepuram • Karur • Kumbakonam • Madurai • Nagercoil • Neyveli • Pallavaram • Pudukkottai • Rajapalayam • Salem • Tiruchirapalli • Tirunelveli • Tambaram • Thoothukudi • Tiruppur • Tiruvannamalai • Thanjavur • Tiruvottiyur • Vellore |
