SREE ABHIMUKESWARAR TEMPLE, KUMBAKONAM

SREE ABHIMUKESWARAR TEMPLE, KUMBAKONAM

Among the various temples connected with the Kumbham of Kumbakonam, this temple also is one which is on the eastern bank of the Mahamaha Kulam (Tank). A small temple, just looking like a house, legend has it that the lord was facing east earlier and only when Mahamaham started, the Navakanniga rivers including Ganges and others requested that they would like to have a glimpse of the lord from Mahamaha Kulam, the Lord acceded to the request and turned towards west.  Thus the Lord is facing West and came to be known as Abhimukeswarar.   

                                   Abimukeswarar- Amirthavalli   Urchavar

As has been the story of the Kumbham, floating during Pralaya and resting at Kumbakonam, Krathamurthy aimed the arrow and the broken Kumbham and contents of the Kumbham fell at different places namely the Uri, Neck of Kumbam, life seedings, Nectar drops, sandal past, Yagnobaveetham, Vilva leaves, Mango Leaves, flowers, coconut etc.,  The coconut broke into pieces and fell where the present temple of Abhimukeswara is, Lord Shiva from the coconut has taken the form of Linga as Abhimukeswarar. As Siva came from the coconut, he is also known as Narikesaran. This one among the twelve temples in Kumbakonam connected with the Mahamaham story.

                                           Abimukeswarar temple  

Upon entering the temple, the majestic Dwajasthambam can be seen and further proceed to the Lord's Darshan and to his right is consort Sree Amirthavalli.  The Dwarapalakas in front of the Lord are in dancing pose similar to Natarajar.  On the outer wall on the northern side is Brahma and on the east is Lingothbhavar and on the south beautiful idol of Dakshinamurthy blesses the devotees.  Yoga Dakshinamurthy is in a sitting pose with one leg folded. 

  

         

Navagraham and Dakshinamurthy

The Navagrahas are on the small petam.  Sani Bhagavan is taller than the other grahas.  Lord Ganesh and Hanuman too are in the shrine.  Bhairavar here near the Navagrahas is the tallest among the 12 temples connected with Mahamaham.  

         Brahma                                                                                                Bhairavar

                                               

A story connected with that of the temple is of Sudhaban, a brahmin from Kashmir.  A beautiful girl child was born to sudhaban and his wife Seelavathi and they named her as Sumathi.  Sumathi when she approached marriageable age, due to her karma, was inflicted by Leprosy.  The people around thus despised Sumathi and the parents were worried and prayed to Lord Siva fervently for the well being of their daughter.  Sage Naradha came in their dreams and told they had to go and take bath in Mahamahakulam during Masi Magam and pray Sree Abimukeswarar for the cure of the illness of Sumathi.   The couple did as told by Sage Naradha and Sumathi was cured of her illness.  That night, Lord Siva came in the dream of Sudhaban and told to conduct the marriage of Sumathi before him and live for sometime and they would reach Kailasa. 

The Sthala Vruksham of the temple is Gooseberry (நெல்லி மரம்).   Some of the festivals observed are:  Ten day festival during Masi Magam (Kumba Masa Maga Nakshatram), Golu and special poojas to Dakshinamurthy.   The Mahasamprokshanam of the temple was last conducted on 26th October 2015.

Temple Timings:

7 AM- 12 AM

4 PM-  8  PM