Kumbakonam or Kudanthai
According to Hindu philosophy, a particular period is ended with the pralaya-deluge. Brahma the creator has the responsibility of recreating the universe again. The present cycle of creation was to be done by Brahma, therefore He had placed the seeds of creation during the last deluge along with Amertha-nectar in a pot called kumbam in Sanskrit. The coconut was placed on the mouth of kumbam and was sanctified with a yagnopavetha before the deluge. During the deluge, the kumba had floated from the Himalayas down south and settled presently in a place located in Tamil Nadu. Since the kumba had come to rest and the Amertha-nectar had flown through the nostril of the Kumba the location is known as Kumbakonam. In Tamil kumba is known as kudam and nostril as mooku hence the place is known as Kudanthai in Tamil.
When Sri Ramaswamy of Sri Ramaswamy temple (on the southern side of this temple) is taken in procession Sri Anjaneya Swami of this temple is honored by the visit of Sri Ramaswamy. In the same way, when Sri Chakrapani of Sri Chakrapani temple (on the northern side of this temple) is taken in procession Sri Anjaneya Swami of this temple is honored by the visit of Sri Chakrapani.
According to legend, Lord Shiva in disguise as a hunter came to the location and broke the kumba with the arrow. The Amertha-nectar had fallen on a spot, and a water body - tank was created. The tank is known as Mahamaha theertham. Once in twelve years on a particular day (in the solar month of masi - Feb-Mar) it is considered auspicious to take a bath in the tank. People from all over India come to take a bath during this time to Kumbakonam.
The place where the kumba came to rest and Lord Shiva appeared to ensure the recreation of the current cycle of creation is presently where the Kumbeswar temple is located. The maha maham tank is just around two kilometers.
Temples around Kumbeswar temple
Sri Kumbeswar and the Goddess Mankalambika are the main deities of the Sri Kumbeswar temple. The town of Kumbakonam is built around this temple and is the hub of all religious, cultural, social, and business activities. Since there are many temples in the Town of Kumbakonam the town is known as Temple town. Almost all the temples are built around these two important tanks of the town, namely the Mahamaha tank and the Potramarai tank. The Potramarai tank is, in front of the Sri Kumbeswar temple on the Eastern side. The road running perpendicular to the road connecting the Potramarai tank and the temple is known as Bazaar Street.
On the two ends of Bazzar Street are two famous temples. On the southern end is Sri Ramaswamy temple where the presiding deity is Sri Ramaswamy with His consort Sri Sitadevi. On the northern end is Sri Chakrapani temple where the presiding deity is Sri Chakrapani with His consort Sri Vijayavalli. On the eastern side of the Potramarai tank is Sri Sarangapani temple, where the presiding deity is Sri Aravamudhan (Sri Sarangapani as utsavar) with His consort Sri Komalavalli. All these four temples are very important temples of the Kumbakonam.
Sri Anjaneya Swami Temple of Bazzar Street
There is a separate temple for Sri Anjaneya Swami on main Bazaar Street on the West bank of the
Potramarai tank. The temple is east-facing and attracts a large number of devotees. For the local
people, this temple is as important as the other four temples mentioned above.
Sri Anjaneya Swami temple attracts the attention of all the three major temples mentioned above. In the Brahmostavam (annual festival) of Sri Aravamudhan of Sri Sarangapani temple (in the eastern side of this temple), Sri Anjaneya of this temple participates in equity. When Sri Ramaswamy of Sri Ramaswamy temple (on the southern side of this temple) is taken in procession Sri Anjaneya Swami of this temple is honored by the visit of Sri Ramaswamy. In the same way, when Sri Chakrapani of Sri Chakrapani temple (on the northern side of this temple) is taken in procession Sri Anjaneya Swami of this temple is honored by the visit of Sri Chakrapani. These are the uniqueness of Sri Anjaneya Swami of this temple.
Sri Anjaneya Swami
The temple is facing east so also Sri Anjaneya Swami. The devotee can have the darshan of the Lord from the road itself. The vigraha is in the form of ardha shila. While the Lord is facing east He is seen walking towards north. Lord is seen blessing the devotees with the right hand in abhya mudra and in the left hand He holds a lotus flower while resting the palms on the left thigh. In front of the moolavar, the utsavar with anjali hasta is standing.
For further details contact Sri S.Kannan Bhattacharya (0435) 2420749
Location of the temple: "Sri Anjaneya temple, Big Bazaar street, Kumbakonam"
Experience
One had to be blessed to have the darshan of this unique Lord Anjaneya Swami and get any of his wishes fulfilled.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [August 2007]
Updates: [Jan 2025]