Dear friends, In the year 1994, (even before I got married), me along with my parents, brother and maternal grandparents have been on a trip to temples in and around Kumbakonam. Especially the Navagraha Kshethras. I had a travelogue written at that time. But now I have translated and edited. While reading that travelogue I travelled back to that time. We went to lots of temples and temples, (kindling the archeologist in me). During that time the chord line was in existence and we had to go to Kumbakonam only in Cholan express as it was the straight train from Chennai Egmore to Kumbakonam.
The Cholan Express crossed through Tambaram, Chengelpattu, Maduranthagam, Dindivanam Villupuram, Panrutti, Thirupadripuliyur, Kadalur Port, Chidambaram, Seergazhi, Vaidheeshwaran Koil, Mayiladuthurai and reaches Kumbakonam. As we are near Tambaram we boarded at Tambaram. The journey was too long for a day train. The train started at Egmore by 9.00am and reached Kumbakonam Station by around 5.00 pm. The first temple on our visit was to Ramaswamy Temple in Kumbakonam. It is in the one side of the big market and it is a famous and must see temple. The idols of Lord Rama, Seetha, Lakshmana, Baratha, Sathrugna and Hanuman are so big. They are close to 7 feet. Rama and Seetha are in the Pattabishekam pose, Shathrukna is fanning and he is near Seetha. Lakshmana is standing near Rama to follow the brother's orders and Baratha is behind the throne with the umbrella. Hanuman is sitting near the feet of Lord Rama with a Veena in his left hand and Rama Saritha leaflets in his right hand. This temple has one big Prakaram. Starting from the left Ramayana is depicted in pictures in three rows. The top row has pictures 1 to 70; the second one 71 to 143; the third 144 to 220. The general practice is that you see the pictures starting from the top row while coming round the sanctum sanctorum. When you complete the last round you come to stand in front of a big Rama Pattabisheka picture painted in Tanjore style. It is always better visiting this temple in the mornings and in the early evenings so that you could enjoy the paintings and the sculptures better.
The second temple on our visit is to Kumbeshwarar temple. That temple has given the name to the town. The Lord is Kumbeshwarar and the lordess is Mangalambikai. This temple has three Mandaps and near the second mandap the pottramarai kulam (the Mahamaha kulam) is seen. The Aavudayar is big and the Lingam is small compared to it, and there is a small koombu (extra growth). The main speciality of this temple is, Ganesha and Muruga are the Dwara Palakas. And in the outer prakaram Koti Linga is to be seen. Another specaility is Purandaradasar have sung a krithi on this lord and it is written in the wall opposite to the Navagraha Sannidhi.
Dear Rajmi, Just read your travelogue and it took me back to some lovely memories that i have myself of visiting kumbakonam and surrounding temples. Do post the remainder of your trip , would love to read it. Vandhana
Hi Rajmi, Im from kumbakonam. after marriage moved to bahrain. feel llike visiting my hometown after reading your thread. if anybody is planning to visit kumbakonam feel free to make queries reg stay, important places to visit etc..:-D regards vidya
Why dont you post it along in this thread itself. In fact we stayed at the VPR lodge. I just forgot the name. And dont remember the name of the hotel where they serve (even today) unlimited meals for Rs.20 which includes 2 vegetables, one kootu, sambar, rasam and curd (it wont be sour at all). The taste was too good. It is a mess I think.
Hi Rajmi, A good travelogue... Nice to read about the temples... I always want to visit big temples in Tamilnadu... Visited Madurai Meenakshi temple and Chidambaram Temple.
