Ekambareswarar Temple,
Kumbakonam – Religious Significance
Shiva Temples:
Twelve famous Shiva temples in and around Kumbakonam participate
in the famous Maha Maham festival during which
Theerthavari happens in the Mahamaha Tank. This festival is celebrated once in 12 years in Kumbakonam.
These 12 Shiva temples are:
Of them 10 temples are in Kumbakonam. The processional
deities of these temples come to this tank during festival days.
Vishnu Temples:
Also, 5 Vaishnava temples from Kumbakonam also
participate in this festival.
However, the Theerthavari happens in the river Kaveri instead of the Theerthavari
in Mahamaha tank.
These Vaishnava temples are:
This is the only
temple out of the 12 temples where only Mother Kamakshi participates
in the Mahamaham festival. In the case of the remaining 11 temples,
both Lord Shiva and Mother participate. This unique participation is due
to the fact that this is a temple of Vishwakarmas, whose prime deity is
Kamakshi. Hence more importance is given to her.
Rahu Kala Pooja performed every day on Rahu Kalam is a
unique aspect about this Temple.
It is believed that Rahu Kala Pooja might have originated in this Temple. For
this Pooja, devotees first worship Raja Ganapathi and
then participate in the Pooja to Kalika Parameswari
(Rahukala Kali). Devotees believe that when prayers are offered to her
during Rahukalam, all their problems would be solved. In the Pooram star of the
Tamil month Puratasi (Sep-Oct), Sumangali Pooja is conducted in a grand
scale. Girls who want to get married, pray to her and it is believed that
it mostly ends in success.