Sarangapani Temple is one of the most important Vishnu temples in South India (the others are Sri Rangam and Tirupati). Seven Alvars, important personalities from Shri sampradaya, sung the glories of this temple. It was built from 13th to 17th century by Nayak kings, but the inner sanctum is older and it dates back to the beginning of their era. Gopuram is 44 m high. South gate is used as the entrance in times when sun is on the southern hemisphere and northern gate serves as the entrance when sun travels north. There are many Deities in the temple and we can also find the sanctum of Komalavalli (Lakshmi) and Pathala Shrinivas (Vishnu).

History of the temple is connected with the story from Krishna book. The sages headed by Maharishi Saunaka on the banks of Sarasvati wanted to find out which god is the highest. They send Bhrigu Muni to visit them and test them. At the end Bhrigu pronounced Lord Vishnu as the greatest since He didn’t loose His temper even after being kicked by Bhrigu in the chest. Lord Vishnu, on the contrary welcomed Bhrigu with sweet words and gave him proper honour to a visiting brahmana..

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After that incident Bhrigu regretted his offence and prayed to be able to serve the Lord in two next births. In Ramacandra’s pastimes he was Guha and thereafter he was born as the sage Hema. Hema rishi prayed for Shri Vishnu’s help in a place of present Kumbakonam. Here Bhrigu also got the blessing to have Lakshmi as his daughter. In this way Lakshmi could be reunited with her husband Shri Vishnu through him. Finally Lord Vishnu descended on Earth in His chariot to get in marriage the hand of daughter of Hema rishi. The central sanctum and mandapa (hallway) of the temple has the shape of a chariot and in the basement wheels and elephant pulling the chariot are clearly visible.

Adi Kumbeswarar temple is the major one among the Saivite temples and located in the centre of Kumbakonam at Big Bazaar Street . This temple covers an area of 30181 sq.ft. with a length and breadth of 750 feet, and 252 feet respectively. This temple comprises of three Praharas and three Gopurams in the eastern, northern and western directions. It is believed that Govinda Theeksithan, the Chieftain of Achutha Nayakar of Thanjavur, renovated this oldest temple during 16 th century. The East Gopuram consists of 9 stories with a height of 128-ft. Mangala Theertham, marriage hall and small temples for Muruga, Ganapathi and Mangalambigai are other major constituents of this temple.

This temple is an ancient and placed its name in Indian history. The presiding Deity of this temple is Lord KUMBESWARA and the presiding Goddess is Sri MANGALAMBIGAI.

The Shiva-linga in Adi Kumbeswara temple has a shape of the pot (in Sanskrit “kumbha”). Demigod Brahma got a pot with the seed of creation from Lord Shiva and during the flood the pot floated from Kailash to the south. In the place of present Kumbakonam it was hit by Shiva’s arrow who struck it disguised as a hunter. The content of the pot (amirtham) was mixed with the sand and in this way emerged Shiva-linga is now worshipped in the temple.

Also here, in Adi Kumbeswara temple, we can see a sculpture of dancing Shiva in anand tandava posture, in which he won a dancing conquest with Kali. No wonder, Chidambaram, the Nataraja’s quarters, is just 60 km from here.

As per the Sthala Purana at Kumbhakonam, it is said that Kumbhakonam and the surrounding villages are linked together through via a wondrous story regarding this particular cycle of creation.

During the cosmic deluge of pralaya, Brahma prepared himself for the next cycle of creation. He put all the seeds from which creation would sprout in amrita [the elixir of immortality] and kept them together in a clay pot. On top of the pot, he placed a coconut with mango leaves and wrapping around the pot’s neck a sacred thread. He then placed the pot on the peak of Mount Meru in the Himalayas

With the cosmic deluge, the pot came floating down from Mount Meru as per Brahma’s plan. Ten kilometres from Kumbhakonam, the coconut was dislodged and fell into the water. Instantly the waters cleared there, revealing land. To this day the Lord worshipped there is a called as Narikel Isvara [narikela means “coconut”].

The mango leaves fell off 10 km northwest of Kumbhakonam, and there the waters also immediately receded. That place is called Tiruppurambayam, which means “outside the waters of the deluge.” [Payam (or bayam) is payas or “water,” but in this context it means “deluge.” Puram means “outside” or “beyond” something.]

Then, the sacred thread [sutra] unravelled from the pot and fell off. The deity in the place where the sutra fell is called Sutra Natha—Lord of the Thread.

Brahma watched all these events transpire. There was only one problem. The pot with the amrita and seeds of creation had failed to overturn in the flood. Lord Shiva (some say it was Brahma himself) disguised as a hunter then fired an arrow, breaking the pot. The place where the arrow was shot used to be called Banapuri [“City of the Arrow”] but today it is known as Vanattirai. The deity worshipped there is called Banapur Isvara.

The kumbha [pot] which held the amrita and seeds had both a “nose” as well as a “mouth.” In such a pot, water is poured in through the “mouth” and out through the “nose.” The spot where the mouth of the pot broke is called Kudavayil [now known as Kudavasal]. It is 20 km southeast of Kumbhakonam.

Brahma wanted the amrita to be discharged from the kumbha in a proper manner. According to the scriptures, it should actually come through the kumbha’s nose. And this is what happened due to arrow which was shot. And the place where the nose broke and the amrita fell is the most holy of all these places. It is called Kumbhakonam [kon (konam) meaning “nose.”]. The content of the pot (amirtham) was mixed with the sand and emerged as a Shiva-linga which is even now worshipped in the temple. Kumbha Isvara is the name of the god in the temple.

The maha-maham bathing tank there—which covers an area of 6.2 acres and has a depth of 10 feet—is said to be the spot where the amrita fell. Every 12 years there is a nine-day Kumbha Mela, wherein millions of people come to bathe in these waters as a rite of purification.

Kumbhakonam (Kamakosthi-puri)

Kumbakonam (Kamakosthi-puri) is famous as a temple town, having a large number of very prominent temples. Kumbakonam is one of the oldest towns in South India. In 7th century it was the capitol of Chola kings. Rivers Kaveri and Arasalar flow from both sides of the town. In the center of the city there are 18 temples mostly dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. There is also one rare temple of demigod Brahma. Kumbakonam is said to be named after demon Kumbakarna, Ravana's brother, but prominently the name has important relation to Shiva's temple Adi Kumbeswara.