Dark gopuram and painted vimana rising over yellow walls

Swayambu

Kudanthai Karonam Sri Someswaraswamy Temple 28th of 129 on the south bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Kumbakonam

Moolavar: Someswarar, Kayarokanar, Viyazha Somesar, Sikkesar
Ambal: Thenar Mozhiyammai, Somasundari
Theertham: Mahamaha Theertham (tank), Potramarai tank
Sthala vriksham: Vilvam tree
Pathigam by: Thirugnanasambanthar

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 29 September 20162,400 words · 12 min

Visited on: 29^th September, 2016

Location

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.

Other Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are –

Kudanthai Kudamukku (Sri Adhi Kumbeswarar Koil), Kudanthai Keezhkottam (Sri Nageswarar Koil), Thiruvalanchuzhi and Thirunageswaram.

History of the temple

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 stanzas with the word “Karonathare”. Incidentally, both these temples have a legend associated with “Karonam”.

However, in the 7^th 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 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.

Bull statue and golden pole in front of a colourful tower

Slender tree in a striped planter next to a blue shrine

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

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

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR & CE).

General information

Moolavar: Sri Someswarar, Sri Kayarokanar, Sri Viyazha Somesar, Sri Sikkesar
Ambal: Sri Thenar Mozhiyammai, Sri Somasundari
Theertham (Holy water): Mahamaha Theertham (tank), Potramarai tank
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vilvam tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by: Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 28^th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
This east facing temple has a single corridor and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5 tiers.

Legend

According to Hindu mythology, at the end of every “yuga”, there is a huge flood that leads to the destruction of all living beings on 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”.

Other Legends

As per legend, it is believed that 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 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 Jupiter (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”.

It is also believed that 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).

Deities in the temple

Other than the Shrines and idols of lord Shiva and goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords “Kalyana Sundara Vinayakar” and Murugan with his consorts, Nalvar, Bairavar, Saneeswarar, Navagraham and Suryan can be seen in the corridor.

Procession idols of Natarajar with Sivakami and Somaskandhar are placed in the hall in front of the sanctum.

There is also a separate shrine for Saint Thirugnanasambanthar near Goddess Parvathy’s shrine.

In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma, Durgai and Chandikeswarar can be seen.

There are shrines of Lord Chozheesar and Goddess Thiripurasundari, believed to have been worshiped by King Paranthakan. There are also shrines for Lord Maleesar and Goddess Mangala Nayaki, believed to have been worshiped by Lord Mahavishnu.

White pillars, wooden doors and rows of small lamps

Dark stone dancing elephant god with pink flowers

Black standing figure with garland and white cloth

Carved stone doorway topped by painted gods and Nandis

Salient features

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

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).

The huge Mahamaha tank covers 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.

It is believed that 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.

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’ heads similar to the practice in Vaishnava temples.

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.

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 times 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.

Tiny colourful shrine with a red Siva lingam picture

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

Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

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 nearby 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 (13^th century).

Greatness of this 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.

Important festivals

“Maasi Maham” Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) is celebrated here in a grand manner.

Almost all festivals related to Shiva temples are celebrated here.

Temple timings

From 06.30 AM to 12.30 PM and from 04.00 PM to 08.30 PM.

Temple address

Sri Someswaraswamy Temple,
Kumbakonam Post & Taluk,
Tanjure District,
Tamil Nadu – 612 001.
Tele: +91 435 243 0349.

Two tall gopurams and a small shrine in a walled yard

Blue shrines with colourful tops under a tall gopuram

Colourful mini gopuram above a carved stone doorway

********

Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Visalakshi Ambal temple

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

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR & CE).