Temples in Kumbakonam

History and Architecture of Kumbeswarar Temple
Historical

It is one of the 127 temples on the southern banks of the river Cauvery. It is mentioned as, 'Thirukkudamooku' in 'Thevaram',at present it is called Kumbakonam. It is a prime temple amidst many temples in kumbakonam. The presiding Murti(deity) is 'Adhikumbheswara' and His consort is 'Mangalambhika'. It is also one of the 64 saktibheta sthala(Mantrabheta sthala). The Siva Linga is slightly tilted at the top towards left and hence the name kumbakonam (kumba - pot;konam -bend) and the deity kumbeshwara.

Mythological

During cosmic dissolution, a pot containing nectar(Amrta) was floating and lord Siva came in the disguise of a hunter and pierced the pot with an arrow ,thereby making the nectar to flow through it's nostril on all sides . Hence this place is named Kudamooku (kuda - pot; mooku - nostril or tip). The objects such as mango leaf,sacred grass(Tharppai),hoop(uri),Bell tree leaf(Bilva) ,coconut and the sacred thread (poonool)which adorning the pot fell into different places due to whirl wind. They appeared as Siva lingas and later on they became Siva temples

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