Temples in Thanjavur

Thanjai Mamani Koil near Thanjavur is a set of three Vishnu temples, together called a Divyadesam. It is among the 108 such more temple premises in India. The temple has a local origin myth that has its roots in one of the many canonical myths about Lord Vishnu. He is worshipped over here chiefly in his Narasimha avatar, which he mainly took to defeat the evil king Hiranyakashipu to save his devotee Prahlad. Their idols are present here as well.

Bangaru Kamakshi Temple is located in a very well-known and crowded locality of Thanjavur, which is a residential as well as a commercial hub. This temple is situated amidst a few others, but it sure holds its own importance. A large part of its popularity lies in the history and legend of the temple. The word Bangaru means 'gold'. This is an obvious reference to the golden body of the deity. However, if you visit the temple, you will see that the face of the godess is black. This once again has a direct connection to its past.

Located in Thanjavur, the Swami Malai temple has great religious significance in the Hindu community of south India. It is one of the Arupadaiveedu, the six main abodes of Murugan, each of which marks the six different phases of his life. The temple stands on the ground where Lord Murugan is believed to have passed on profound knowledge of the universe to his own father Lord Shiva as his Guru. Thus, this particular temple is a commemoration of that.

The biggest attraction of Thanjavur - The Brahadeshwara Temple, also known as the Big Temple. Built during the reign of the Great Chola emperor, Raja Raja Chola, this temple is an architectural marvel. Protected by deep trenches on either sides and the Grand Anaicut River running through another, this temple is a favorite among the pilgrims. The shrine itself is a 216 feet structure. The sanctum is dotted with paintings from the Chola and Nayak periods. The statue of Nandi the Bull welcomes you at the entrance.

Alangudi and its temple are famous for being the Holy Sthala surrounded by the three holy rivers Cauvery, Kolidam and Vennaru. The place and the temple are intimately connected with each other and have some historical, mythological and local folklores tied to its past origin and present legend. The Alangudi Guru Temple is devoted to Abathsahayeswarar form of Shiva - the one who digested the poison of Vasuki Nag to save humanity from its toxin during samudra manthan. It also houses his female counterpart Elavarkuzhali and some other deities as well.

This temple is dedicated to the Moon God. Located almost 25km from the town, this temple is largely visited by those who believe that they are under the bad effects of the Moon as per their horoscopes. They believe that by offering prayers with utmost faith to the Moon God, their ill fates can change for the better.

Sarangapani Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is located in the town of Kumbakonam in the South-Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The beautiful temple is located on the banks of River Kaveri and is frequented by devotees of Lord Vishnu from all over the world. Along with being a sacred place of worship, the temple is a work of art in itself, with several tiers of intricately carved and colourfully decorated mythological sculptures and images. The grandeur of the temple is breathtaking.

Believed to have been constructed in the 7th century A.D by the Cholas, Adi Kumbeshwara Temple is one of the grandest and the oldest Shiva temple in the town. The temple has a magnificent architecture with the trademark style of the Cholas. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses a unique Shiva lingam.

Located in the town of Darasuram near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, Airavatesvara Temple is a revered Hindu temple and a UNESCO world heritage site. Part of the popular trio known as the Great Living Chola Temple along with Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Airavatesvara Temple was built by the Chola King Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century CE.

Perched atop a hill in the Swamimalai district of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, Swaminathaswamy Temple is enshrined by Murugan, son of the Hindu God Lord Shiva who is also known as Swaminathaswamy. The shrine is only one of the six holy temples of Murugan called Arupadaiveedu. The temple complex also houses shrines of Murugan’s mother- Parvathy and his father Shiva; although, those are located at the base of the hill. Sixty steps lead to the main shrine at the top which are named after sixty Tamilian years. Besides, the temple has three gopurams and three precincts.

Kashi Viswanath Temple is an important temple and is linked with the origins of the Mahamaham Festival. The temple another beautiful representation of Chola architecture is known to house the deities of all the river goddesses in Hindu mythology.

Perched atop a hill in the Swamimalai district of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, Swaminathaswamy Temple is enshrined by Murugan, son of the Hindu God Lord Shiva who is also known as Swaminathaswamy. The shrine is only of the six holy temples of Murugan called Arupadaiveedu. The temple complex also houses shrines of Murugan’s mother- Parvathy and his father Shiva; although, those are located at the base of the hill. Sixty steps lead to the main shrine at the top which are named after sixty Tamilian years.

A place which is a testimony to the architectural and engineering genius of the region and the pride of one of the greatest empires of India - Chola Empire, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a place worth exploring. The magnificence of the Gangaikonda temple along with few others will enchant you and thrill you with its history and engineering.

Located in Kumbakonam (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu), Ramaswamy Temple is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to one of Vishnu's ten avatars, Lord Rama. The temple is enshrined by Lord Rama where he sits in the sanctum in the coronation posture with his consort Sita Devi at his side, flanked by the idols of his brothers Lakshmana, Bharatha, Chatruguna (in standing position) and Hanuman (in worshipping position). Believed to have been built in the 16th century by the Nayakkar Prime Minister- Govinda Dikshitar, the temple also has commercial corridor connecting it to the older Chakrapani Temple built by the same ruler.

Located in the town of Thirubuvanam, 9 kms from Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, Kampaheswarar Temple (also known as Sarabeswarar Temple) is an age-old Shaivite temple flocked by devotees from all across the world all through the year. The temple is enshrined by Lord Shiva, worshipped in the form of a Shiva Linga. It is believed that Lord Shiva once relieved a king of quaking (kampa) as he was haunted by an evil spirit (Brahmarakshas) of a Brahmin who he killed accidentally.

Chakrapani Temple is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (locally known as Chakrapani) located in the Kumbakonam city of Tamil Nadu. One of the most prominent temples in the area, the shrine has a magnificent idol of Lord Vishnu with his chakra (discus) to bring down the pride of Surya- the Sun God, who subsequently became his devotee. Boasting of striking architectural finesse, the temple also houses a statue of King Sarfoji II who is also worshipping Lord Vishnu.

Located at Thanjavur district in Kumbakonam, Varahaperumal Temple is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to God Vishnu. Situated just behind the Chakrapani temple, the shrine dates back to the Varaha Avatar period and hence is called Varahaperumal. The consort of Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Bhoodevi Thayyar and is believed to answer prayers related to land and property problems.

This temple is dedicated to godess Kodi Amman(Kali) who slayed the demon Thanjan and brought peace to the land. Although it is one of the more smaller and modest temples in Tanjore, the Kodi Amman Temple attracts dozens of devotees who come to give praise to Godess Kodi Amman. The santum sanctorum has a statue of the eight-armed godess Kali with Shiva on her head.

One of the lesser known temples in Tanjavur which is situated on Mela Masi Veethi and is dedicated to god konganeeswarar and his consorts Annapoorani and Gnanambal. This temple is over 1000 years old and also has a large pond.

Nestled in the village of Thiruvaiyaru, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The name Thiruvaiyaru refers to the five rivers in the town. If you mention the name of Aiyappa the name echoes around the complex.

One of Thanjavur's most famed temples which has 9 gopurams, 80 vimanas, 13 mandapams and 15 wells.