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
For brief details, please refer below link;
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
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
For brief details, please refer below link;
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2020/06/banapuriswarar-temple-kumbakonam-connectivity.html
Location