Adi Kumbeswarar Temple
ஆதி கும்பேஸ்வரர் கோவில்
Lord Shiva (Adi Kumbeswarar) · Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
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About the temple
Principal temple of Kumbakonam; Origin of the Mahamaham legend Removal of sins, ancestral blessings, and longevity
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 21:00
- Established
- 7
- Best time to visit
- Early morning during sunrise
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Lord Shiva (Adi Kumbeswarar) · கும்பேஸ்வரர்
- Deity form
- Lingam (Shaped like a pot/Kumbam)
- Religious tradition
- Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta
- Sanskrit name
- आदि कुम्भेश्वर मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Kumbakonam Big Temple, Thirukkudamookku
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00 - 12:30, 16:00 - 21:00
- Break timings
- 12:30 PM to 04:00 PM
- Special days
- Extended during Masi Magam and Mahamaham
- Festival timings
- 24-hour access during Mahamaham festival
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 06:30
- Midday aarti
- 12:00
- Evening aarti
- 18:30
- Night aarti
- 20:30
- Special aarti days
- Pradosham, Full Moon
- Ritual schedule
- Six kaala poojas daily
- Pooja timings
- Continuous within operational hours
- Abhishek timings
- 07:00 AM, 11:30 AM
- Special poojas
- Mahamaham Special Pooja, Sahasranamam
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Cholas (Expansion); Govinda Dikshitar (Nayaka Minister)
- Architect / builder
- Govinda Dikshitar (Renovated current structure)
- Construction materials
- Granite
- Historical events
- Center of the Kumbhabhishekam tradition; Major seat of Nayaka power
- Renovations
- Extensive renovation in the 16th century by the Tanjore Nayakas
- Archaeological importance
- Protected Heritage Site
- Legends
- Lord Shiva shot an arrow to break the pot ($Kumbam$) containing nectar
- Inscriptions
- Multiple inscriptions from Chola and Vijayanagara periods
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- 16th Century (Current facade)
- Structure
- Large complex with 3 prakarams
- Floors
- 9
- Gopuram
- 128 ft tall; Intricately carved with mythological scenes
- Mandapa
- Navaratri Mandapam with pillars containing 27 stars and 12 zodiac signs
- Sculptural features
- Stone Nandi; Kirathamurti (Shiva as a hunter) bronze icon
- Artistic elements
- Ceiling murals and stone-carved zodiac wheels
- Construction technique
- Traditional Dravidian masonry
- Unique features
- The main Lingam is broad at the base and narrow at the top, like a pot
Festivals & events
Mahamaham (once in 12 years)Masi Magam (annual)Brahmotsavam
- Festival calendar
- Feb-March (Masi Magam)
- Special celebration days
- Pradosham
- Cultural events
- Carnatic music and spiritual discourses during festivals
- Annual events
- Chariot Festival (Therottam)
- Peak crowd season
- February, March, and all auspicious month ends
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Wheelchair accessible
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning during sunrise
- Parking capacity
- 50+
- Parking fees
- Minimal
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Online
- Prasadam
- Laddu, Tamarind Rice, Vibhuti