Kumbakonam Adi Kumbeswarar Temple Kumbabhishekam… Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam is a wonderful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is situated in Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District Tamil Nadu. Here Lord Shiva is worshiped as Adi Kumbeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is worshipped as Mangalambigai Amman, who is also fondly called by the ancient devotees as “MA KUMBESWARINI”! This temple is praised in the sacred text Tevaram, written by the Nayanmars.
It is believed that this ancient temple remained intact even at the time of deluge. Ancient kings have renovated this temple for many times, and they have built several shrines in the temple. Ancient Shaivite saints have visited this temple and sung in praise of Lord Shiva, and due to that, they had attained enlightenment. The temple has many shrines, with those of Kumbeswarar and Mangalambigai Amman being the main deities.
The Maha Kumbabishekham event is going to take place on 1st December 2025 at the early hours in the morning. The Maha Kumbabishekam is a grand and holy religious ceremony that involves performing various rituals to purify and consecrate the temple and its deities.
It is expected that the Kanchi Pontiff Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal and the Mantralayam Pontiff Sri Subudhendra Teertha Swamigal are going to participate in the temple function in order to glorify the divine event. It has to be mentioned that once the great Madhwa Saint Sri Vijayendra Teerthar had attained the grace and also had the darshan of Ma Mangalambigai Amman of Kumbeswarar Temple while he was serving as a Pontiff in Kumbakonam Mutt.
Kumbabishekams are done to renovate the entire temple and to recharge the power of the temple through mantras and abhishekams and this method was practiced even during the period of ancient kings. During this auspicious event, devotees in large numbers, used to gather inside the temple, in order to have a glimpse of their beloved sweet divine couple Shiva and Parvati, and also to get sprinkled the holy abhisheka Theertham on their body, since it is considered to be a most sacred act.
“OM SRI ADI KUMBESWARAYA NAMO NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR