Following is list of temples belonging to 8-10th century in Kumbakonam area. the place u can call as a temple town. Our option of temples were important Siva temples numbering 276 and important Vishnu temples numbering 108.



We visited these temples during christmas holidays of 2006. Spent 1 full week covering these temples with base at Kumbakonam. Preferred mode of transport for visiting these temples is to hire a taxi with a local driver.


Importantly remember all temples are closed during 12:00 - 16:00hrs. The approximate cost for a group of 5, hiring a taxi is Rs.3000 which included taxi and food.


We stayed at my brother's place which saved the boarding expense. Boarding expense in Kumbakonam is moderate.


The temples are very old and "nayanmars" (Renowned devotees, who composed hymns in praise of lord) sighted the respective lord. we were able to cover a part of the list of temples which we planned. I only hope we will be able to see rest of places also.

1. Thiru Nageswaram
   
   
   Main deity: Naganathar, and Girigujambal
   
   
   Sthalavruksham: Shenbagamaram. Theertham: Surya teertham
   Worshipped by Nagaraja-King of serpants, hence known as Nageswaran.
   
   
   Importance: Cow milk poured on Nagaraja statue turns blue. This is "Raaghu" parihara sthalam. One can also see Lakshmi, Parvathi, and Saraswathi in sila rupam.
   
   
   
   
2. Uppiliappan Koil:
   
   
   One of 108 important vaishnava temple, Maha Vishnu temple also known as Oppiliappan Koil 7 kms from Kumbakonam
   
   
   Main deity: Oppiliappan, and his Consort Bhuma devi.
   Bhuma devi-Daughter of Markandeya rishi, marry Mahavishnu and cooks food for him without salt.Hence Upillada perumal. Prasadam is Curd rice.
   Importance: Salted food is prohibited in the temple premises.
   
   
   
3. Ayyavadi: " Siva temple and Prathyankara temple".
   
   
   
   The temple is about 3 kms from uppliappan temple, Kumbakonam. Deity of Prathyangara is swayambu moorthy here. Two Sakthi devi, Soolini Durga and Prathyangira devi are wings of Lord Sarabeswarar. Devi Prathyangara is main Goddess of Atharvana vedam and she is also known as Atharvana Badrakali, Atharvana Prathyangira Devi.
   
   
   
   The place was once known as Iwarpadi, and later days it is known as Ayyawadi. Pancha pandava worshiped Goddess Prathyangira in this place.
   
   
   
   Lord Siva is known as Agastheeswaran and his consol Dharmasamvardhini. Rama and Ravana have worshipped here.
   
   
   
   Purana says after Hirnyakasyapu vadham Narashimar was still in ugraham at this time, Aangiras and Prathyangras together made Prathyangara devi on Lalitha parameswari's command. She was able to control the anger of Narashimar. She is also known as Aparajitha which means no one to defeat her. Her face is like Lion, with 18 hands having weapon and we see Lakshmi and saraswathy to either side.
   
   
   The banayan tree is something different here. It has 5 different ,variety leaves to the same tree, with Siva meditating there.
   
   
   
4. Thiru Naraiyur: Siva temple.
   
   
   Siddeeswaram: Worshipped by Siddhargal. The place is at a distance of 5 kms from Kumbakonam
   
   
   Main deity: Siddhanathar-Swayambu lingam. His Consort Soundaranayagi.
   Sthalavruksham: Pavalamalligai
   
   
   Importance: Methavi munivar worshipped lord here, had Lakshmi as his daughter and her marriage with Mahavishnu takes place here. Lord Sani is with his family here with his own dwajasthambam.
   
   
   Sambandar and Sundarar have sung hymns in praise of this lord.
   
   
   
5. Thirunarayoor:
   
   
   
   One of 108 Divya desam Temples which is about 5kms from kumbakonam.
   
   
   
   Main deity: Thiru nariyur nambi in standing posture. His Consort Vanjulavalliin bride posture.Teertham Mani mutha teertham.
   
   
   
   Importance: Personal appearence Of god for Medavi muni and Brahama. Another important thing to be seen in this temple is Garuda vahanam is made of stone.
   
   
   
   Festival of Garuda seva is world famous here. Starting of garuda seva only 4 persons lift it and gradullay number of persons double to every door and finally the number lands to 64 in number. The reason why the number of people carrying the diety increases is at every stage the wieght of the stone Garuda increases (unknown reason). Same way, the number of persons decrease on return of the Diety to moola sthanam. Ambal in Hamsa vahana.
   
   
   
   
6. Thirupanthurai: Penuperunthurai
   
   
   
   One of 275 important Siva temple The place is about 7 kms from Kumbakonam.
   
   
   
   Main deity: Sivanandeswar-Swayambu lingam and his Consort Mangalambikai.
   Sthalavruksham:Vannimaram Theertham: Mangalatheertham.
   
   
   
   Sambandar has sung hymns on praise of this lord.
   
   
   The place is about 3 kms distance from Nachiyar temple. We see two vinayakar here known as Ghuha Vinayakar and Sakshi Vinayakar. Goddess umadevi, Lord Murugan and Brahma worshipped Lord Siva of this place.