The
Visit to this Sri Banapureeswarar Temple was a part of the “Shiva, Vishnu and
Amman Temples Visit, in and around Kumbakonam”, on 13th July 2024. This
Sri Banapureeswarar temple is also called the Sri Somanatha Swamy Temple. This
temple is one ( Vayu ) of the Pancha Bhuta Temples of Kumbakonam.
Moolavar : Sri Somanatha Swamy, Sri
Banapureeswarar
Consort : Sri Somakalambal, Sri Abirami
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthamabam,
and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram under a metacolour Sheet mandapam. Vinayagar,
Murugan, and Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum
sanctorum. A Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar
Sri Banapureeswarar is on a round avudaiyar. In Koshtam, Vinayagar,
Dakshinamurthy, Rishabanthigar along with Ambal. Brahma and Durgai.
In
praharam Vinayagar, Shiva Lingam, Sri Valli Devasena Subramanian, Maha Lakshmi,
Anjaneyar, Durgai in a separate sannidhi with stucco dwarapalakas,
Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Suriyan and Navagrahas.
Ambal
is in a separate sannidhi facing South. Ambal is in standing posture with
abhaya varada hastam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha
mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with Padma
jagathy, Vrudha Kumudam, Kapotam, viyyalavari. The bhitti starts with vedikai.
The pilasters are brahmakantha pilasters with square bases, kalasam, kudam,
lotus petals mandi, palakai, and poomottu pothyal. The prastaram consists of
valapi, kapotam with nasikudus and Viyyalavari. The temple was constructed with
stone from adhistanam to prastaram with stone. The superstructure, ie vimana
was constructed with Bricks. The Vimanam is of one tala, Greevam and Vesara
sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in
the Tala and greeva kostams. Maha Vishnu and Brahma are with their consorts. In
addition, stucco images of Nandhi Devar, and other deities.
The
Deva Koshtas are padra Koshtas and Sala style. Kumbha panjaras are in aharai,
between sala paththi and Karnapaththi and Out side wall of antarala.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
temple belongs to Kulothunga Chozha – III. Inscriptions are found on the
adhistanam. Later reconstructed and expanded during Vijayanagara Nayakas /
Marathas.
As per Dr. Nagasamy, the temple was built on a Nandhavana land belonging to Darasuram Sri Iravateeswarar Temple. As per the request of Sathuranana Pandithar, the Anmeega Guru of Kulothunga Chozha directed his Chieftain to build this temple.
Maha
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 30th august 1981, 08th
Feb 1991, 26th October 2015,
A 06th March 2004 Inscription, records the participation of the Mahamaham Theerthavari
festival.
LEGENDS
It
is believed that the Sage Vyasa, installed and worshipped Shiva Lingam of this
temple as advised by Maha Vishnu to get rid of Shri Siva’s Vahana Rishaba’s
curse.
In
another Legend, the Kalinga Desa King worshipped Shiva of this temple to get a cure
for his wife from a prolonged illness, as advised by a Sage. He came to this
temple along with his wife and worshipped Shiva and Ambal. It was told that
part of the temple was constructed by the Kalinga King.
This
temple is also connected with the legend of Amrit kalsa, which reached
Kumbakonam and was shot by Shiva. The kalasa or Banai float at this place,
hence Shiva is called Banapureeswarar.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Sankadahara
Chathurti, Vinayagar Chathurti, Maha Shivaratri, etc.
This Sri Banapureeswarar Temple is one of the 12 Shiva Temples, that
participates in the Mahamaham Theerthavari festival, which occurs once in 12
Years. In addition to the Shiva temples, 5 Maha Vishnu temples of
Kumbakonam also join in the Mahamaham festival.
Shiva Temples are…
05. Kalahasteeswarar Temple,
11. Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and
The Maha Vishnu Temples are…
04. Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30
hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW
TO REACH
This
Sri Banapureeswarar Temple is on Banadurai Sonnathu Street, Banadurai area, of Kumbakonam
City.
This
temple is about 1.5 KM from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 2.1 KM from Kumbakonam
Railway Station, 34.5 KM from Mayiladuthurai, and 39 KM from Thanjavur.
Nearest
Railway Station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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