The
visit to this Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, close to Mahamaham Tank, at Kumbakonam
was a part of Divya Desams around Kumbakonam and Thanjavur Visit on 10th
and 11th February 2024, organized by Culture Circuit. This is also one of the 12 temples, that
participates in the Mahamaham festival, which is celebrated once in 12 years. This
temple is locally called Rahu Kali Temple.
Moolavar : Sri Ekambaranathar
Consort : Sri Kamakshi
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple is facing west with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam and
Balipeedam are after the Rajagopuram. Murugan and Dhandapani are on both sides
of the entrance to Ardha Mandapam. Dwarapalakas ( stucco )are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Vinayagar,
Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.
Ambal
is in a separate sannidhi in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is standing posture in
abhaya varada hastam.
In
praharam Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Nagars, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena
Subramaniar, Anjaneyar and Kalika
Parameshwari / Rahu Kaliamman with 8 hands holding various weapons.
Kalika
Parameshwari / Rahu kala Kaliamman is in a separate temple with sanctum
sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. This temple is facing on the North direction.
Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi. Arumugar Utsavar are in the same temple. Rishabam
and balipeedam are in front of the temple.
ARCHITECTURE
The
main temple, construction does not follow any temple architecture. The sanctum
sanctorum is on adhistanam. Only adhistanam was constructed with stone. The
pilasters are Brahma kantha pilasters. The prastaram consists of Valapi (
madhalai ), kapotam with Nasikudus, and viyyalavari. An eka tala Vesara sigaram
is on the sanctum sanctorum. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma
stucco images are in the greeva koshtam.
Sri
Kalika Parameswari also known as Rahu Kala Kaliamman temple was built in
Ekatala Veasara Vimanam. The adhistanam is on a Padma peetam, with jagathy, threepatta
kumudam, and pattika. The bhitti starts with vedika. The pilasters are of
brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam,
kudam, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with
madhalai, and kapotam with nasi kudus. Kali’s various forms are in Greeva
koshtams. The sigaram is of Vesara Style.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
It
was told that this Ekambareswarar Temple was built by the Viswakarma community
after installing Kamakshi Amman, during Vijayanagara period and later received
contributions from Thanjavur Nayakas.
Maha
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 22nd October 2015.
LEGENDS
The
Sri Kalika Parameswari Amman also called Rahu Kaliamman temple is in the same premises facing North.
Since Kalika Parameshwari is the Guarding deity and safeguards from evil
threats. Rahu kala poojas are offered for this Amman on Tuesdays, Fridays, and
Sundays.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha
Shivaratri days. Rahu kala poojas are conducted on Tuesdays ( 15.00 hrs to
16.30 hrs ), Fridays (10.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs ), and Sundays ( 16.30 hrs to 18.00
hrs )
This Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the 12 Shiva Temples, that participates in Mahamaham Theerthavari festival, which occurs once in 12 Years. The 12 Shiva temples and 5 Vaishnava temples of Kumbakonam used to join and celebrate this Mahamaha festival.
Shiva Temples are…
11. Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and
The Maha Vishnu Temples are…
4. Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 07.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 19.30
hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
HOW TO REACH
The
temple is 1 KM from Kumbakonam Railway Station and Kumbakonam Bus Stand.
The
temple is about 36 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, 44 KM from Thanjavur, 47 KM from
Thiruvarur, and 282 KM from Chennai.
Nearest
Railway Station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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