Kumbakonam

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Coordinates: 10.97° N 79.38° E

Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam
State - District(s)	Tamil Nadu - Thanjavur
Coordinates	10.97° N 79.38° E
Area - Elevation	- 24 m
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001) - Density	140,021 -

Kumbakonam is a city and a municipality in 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.

1 Origin of name
2 History
3 Demographics
4 Geography
5 Economy
6 Temples
7 Education
8 Famous people from Kumbakonam
9 External links
10 References

[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. 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] 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%. In Kumbakonam, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Geography

Kumbakonam is located at 10.97° N 79.38° E^[1]. 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. One can smell the evergreen paddy fields when you travel in and around the town.

[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 Cauvery 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 Ramayanam 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 which is truly astounding. The Temple is filled with intricate carvings in all its pillars and the Bharatanatyam dancers come here to see the Mudras.

[edit] Chakrapani Temple

Chakrapani Temple is also 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).

A view of the Mandapam in Chakrapani Temple.

[edit] Kumbeswara Temple

Kumbeswara Temple is an important Saivite temple situated at the central part of the town. This is the temple of the presiding Deity of Kumbakonam. Shri Adhi Kumbeswara is the GOD and Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika is the lord's Consort. The temple complex is quite huge and beautiful in its 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), with lakhs of pilgrin from various parts of India visiting Kumbakonam and taking a holy bath in the sacred Mahamaham tank which is situated 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", is located near the Kumbakonam old bus stand. Aditya Chola of the Chola dynasty constructed this temple during 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 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 two Gopurams in the eastern and western directions.

[edit] Sarangapani Temple

This famous vaishav temple is in the midst of the busy market place. Before 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 north with a small Gopuram at the eastern portion near the entrance. 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 to mention about NagaNathaSwami 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. Another famous temple is the Swamimalai temple which is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga. Swamimalai is situated 8 km west of Kumbakonam. Many Nayanmars have sung in praise of this temple.

[edit] Airavatesvara Temple

The temple at Dharasuram, 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 DeivaNayaki Ambal temple.

[edit] Nearby Navagraha Temples

The area surrounding Kumbakonam is home to a set of Navagraha temples dating from the Chola period.

[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] 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.

Arasu Engineering College can be found on Chennai Main Road.

Town Higher Sec School (where the great mathametician studied) is one of the famous schools.

Other important schools are:

The Little Flower Higher Secondary School
Banadurai Higher Secondary School
St. Joseph's Girls Higher Secondary School

In 2004, tragedy struck Kumbakonam when a school caught fire killing 92. [1].

[edit] Famous people from Kumbakonam

Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan
The great orator Silver tongue Srinivasa Sastry
Tamil Taatha(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
Famous A.R.R Group of Companies (trust,Supari,Seaval,Food products,Schools,teacher training institues) owned by Dr. S. Subramaniyam is located.Founded by A.R. Ramasamy.
Famous T.S.R Group (Gokul Santol Talc, Gokul pickles, agarbathis, food products) founded here in 1909 by T.S. Rajagopal Iyengar

[edit] External links

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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