Kumbakonam is a temple lover’s paradise and is the second bigger town in Thanjavur District, in the Cauvery delta of Tamil Nadu. Bounded by wonderful ancient temples in the Dravidian style, it is located 40 kilometres from Thanjavur and 273 kilometres from Chennai. In the 7th Century Kumbakonam was the Capital of Chola Kings, and was ruled by the Early Cholas, Pallavas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Marathas. Kumbakonam consists of several temples and that's why well-known as the temple town of Tamil Nadu. , the legendary temple town of South India, is attractively positioned amidst of the two rivers, River Cauvery on the north and River Arasalar'on the south.It is Very famous for the 12 yearly Mahamaham carnivals. The Kumbakonam is attracting to a lot of people for Dharsan of the temples in and around the Kumbakonam. And is famous for silk and metal items of various components are manufactured here.

PLACES TO SEE

Mahamaham Tank
Mahamaham Tank is a huge temple tank located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. If there is a tank said to be more holy than Ganges, it is only the Mahamaham Tank .It is considered to be the leading and main among temple tanks in Tamil Nadu.This Tank covers an area of 6.2 acres and is in a shape of a pot. The Tank is surrounded by 16 small Mandapams and a "Nava Kannika Temple" in the Eastern side. Mahamaham festival which is celebrated once in every 12 years at the Mahamaham Tank. At the time it is believed that in Mahamaham tank, the sacred flow of water from the rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi, Sarayu,Godavari, Mahanadi, Narmada, Payoshnl and Cauvery are combine together and is also believed that taking bathe would get rid of sins according to Hindu religion

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple
 Adi Kumbeswarar temple is the most important Saivaite temples and located in the centre of Kumbakonam. This is 1300 years old ancient temple. The temple is dedicated to Shri Adhi Kumbeswara, a fabulous form of Lord Shiva and temple also houses idol of Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika, the lord's Consort. This temple outer prahara has an important shrine called as Kumba muni Siddhar. The temple complex is vast and great architecture, constructed three Gopurams and three Praharams in the eastern, northern and western directions

Nageshwaran Temple
 It is one of the most extraordinary and ancient Shiva temples in the region. Dedicated to God Shiva in the appearance of Nagaraja.It is the most excellent sculpture constructed by early Chola in the years of 907 - 940. Adisesha and Surya had worship Sri Nageswara here.

Somesvara Temple
Someswara temple is situated at south side of Sri Sarangapani Temple and eastern side Portamarai tank. The place of worship faces east with 5-tier tower at the entrance. The architectural technique and element of this temple look a lot like the Dravidian Architecture of 13th Century of the Chola period. The temple divinities are Lord Someshwar Shiva, Chikkesswar and Goddess Somasundari.

Ramaswamy Temple
Achutha Nayaka of Thanjavur built the Ramaswamy temple for the period of 16 th century positioned near Adi Kumbeswarar temple devoted to God Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneyaa.

Chakrapani Temple
Chakrapani temple is situated at about 1.2km North to Ramaswamy temple and is the main vaishnavite temple in Kumbakonam. The main deity is Sri Chakkarath Alwaar with Sudharsana Chakra.

The Bhagavatha Padithurai Ghat
Bhagavath Padithurai Ghat is one of most important bathing Ghats in Kumbakonam. It is believed that a bath in the river Cauvery cleanses away all the sins of the people.

Airavateswarar Temple
Airavateshwarar temple is situated at Darasuram, 4km of west from Kumbakonam. Airavath is the Holy White Elephant. The temple construction is incredible. There are many inscriptions and images in this temple and is one of the tourist parts of Kumbakonam.

Sankara Mutt
This is the place which was changed from Kanchi some 200 years ago. situated on the river banks of Cauvery, even now the mutt conducts Veda Classes and religious preaching very often. Brindavans of three Jagath Guru Acharyas are seen in the front side of the mutt.

Raghavendra Mutt
This place is holds additional spiritual relevance than Mantralaya, where the Brindavan of the Guru of Raghavendra's Guru is located in the southern side Cauvery. Saint Raghevendra is said to have visited this place.

Sarangapani Temple
Sarangapani Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located at Kumbakonam Bazaar Street. The main deity of Sarangapani Temple is Sarangapani swamy with Komalavalli Thayar.

Kasi Viswanathar Temple
Kasi Viswanathar Temple is situated very near to the Mahamaham Tank. The temple construction is awesome and be evidence for the ancient style. The most important Deity is one of the Shiva Avatar Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi. The important point about this temple is the 9 Holy Rivers (Navakanniyar) which names are Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswati, Kavery (Ponni), Godavari, Tungabhadra, Krishna and Sarayu.

Bramman temple
Bramman temple, also known as Shri Vedanarayana Perumal, is located in Kumbakonam. The prime deities in this temple are Shri Bramman, Shri Vedhanaraya Perumal, Shri Narasimha moorthy, Elumalayaan Srinivasa Perumal and Shri Aandaal. The Temple is one of the few temples in India that are devoted to Brahma.

Srinivasa Ramanujan House
The house of Srinivasa Ramanujan, the famous mathematician, is located in the Sarangapani street in Kumbakonam. Ramanujan and his parents lived in this traditional house in the shrine town of Kumbakonam.

Sri Gowthameswarar Temple
Sri Gowthameswarar Temple is located in the south west region of Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam. This temple has an important in the Maha Kumbamela held once in 12 years in Kumbakonam. This temple is dedicated to God Yagnobhaveetheswar and Goddess Sundaranayagi,

HOW TO REACH

By air:-
The nearest airport to Kumbakonam is Trichy at distance of 96 km away. Domestic and few international flights operate from this airport. Regular flights are available to Chennai International airport. Tamilnadu transport corporation buses and Taxis are available from Trichy to Kumbakonam

By Train:-
Kumbakonam Railway Station is connected by trains from Chennai, Quilon, Coimbatore, Tirupathi and Rameshwaram. Travellers can use trains to reach this place comfortably from Chennai and other places.

By Bus:-
Tamil Nadu state transport corporation buses connect Kumabkonam with almost all cities in Tamil Nadu. Regular buses are available from Thiruchirappalli, Chidambaram and Chennai to Kumbakonam.

WEATHER
Best Season to visit Kumbakonam is from October to March.