Friday, January 1, 2016

Banapuriswarar Temple, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur

Banapuriswarar Temple, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
Banapuriswarar Temple  is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kumbakonam Town in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Banapuriswarar / Somanathar and Mother is called as Soma Kamalambal / Kamalambigai. The temple is one of 12 Shiva temples connected with the Mahamaham festival, which takes place in Kumbakonam every 12 years.



Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
The Temple is believed to be built during 6th Century AD. The last consecration of the temple was held on 26 October 2015. This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR & CE).


The Temple
The Temple is facing east with three tired Rajagopuram. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Mahamandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Banapuriswarar / Somanathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. He is facing east. Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls.



Mother is called as Soma Kamalambal / Kamalambigai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine in Maha Mandapam. Her shrine is situated in the northern side. She is in standing posture with four hands. She is holding Rudraksha and Lotus flower in two hands and other two hands showing varada and Abhaya Hasta.



Linga installed by Sage Vyasa can be found in the prakaram. There is a shrine for Lord Vishnu with his consorts Sridevi & Bhudevi in the Temple premises. Hanuman can be found facing Lord Vishnu Shrine. There is a Durga Shrine in the north west corner of the Temple.



The shrine houses a big Durga Idol. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Chandikeswarar, Durga, Bhairava and Navagrahas in the Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree. It is on the southern side of the prakaram.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 11.30 AM and 05.00 PM to 08.00 PM.
Festivals
Mahashivaratri in February-March is grandly observed. Maha Magam, Purattasi Navaratri, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai, Arudhra Darshan and Masi Magam are the festivals celebrated here. Monthly Pradosha pujas are regularly followed.
Religious Significance
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Literary  Mention
Manickavasagar had praised about Lord Shiva of this Temple in his Keerthi Thiruvagal as follows;
கல்லாடத்துக் கலந்தினி தருளி
நல்லா ளோடு நயப்புறவு எய்தியும்
பஞ்சப் பள்ளியிற் பான்மொழி தன்னொடும்
எஞ்சா தீண்டும் இன்னருள் விளைத்தும்
கிராத வேடமொரு கிஞ்சு வாயவள்
Prayers
Devotees pray to Mother for relief from laziness and to become active in life.
Connectivity
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Location