Temples visit in Kumbakonam

Trip members: Karthik, Senthil, Shivi and Sanjeev
Trip date: 05 Nov 2016
Trip Plan : Chennai - Tindivanam - Virudhachalam - Kumbakonam - Thanjavur - Trichy - Chennai

This was a quick trip to 3 temples around Kumbakonam and 2 in Thanjavur as we visited the town for a marriage.

We started around 7 PM from Chennai and reached Kumbakonam by 12:30 AM. We looked for room in the Government guest house but we were told that all rooms are booked. Then, we managed to take a large room at S.R.Residency quite closer to Mahamagam pond at the cost of Rs.1800. The room was ok and clean. The bedspreads were average, however the service people were very enthusiastic to help on all aspects - right from parking to bath towels. We rested for few hours and started the trip to Swamimalai around 5:30 AM.

Swamimalai is around 9 kms from Kumbakonam. We reached the temple around 6:20. The parking is on the small roads near the temple only. That day was Shasti and we were afraid of crowds. However, we climbed the 60-70 off steps and were there to have the dharshan in 10 minutes of waiting time. The most important thing was that none asked us to move fast or get away from the queue. Each took their turn to complete the prayers at their own time with fullest satisfaction. After a very satisfactory dharshan, we had some prasadhams and planned to go to Darasuram next.

Darasuram is around 6 kms from Swamimalai. The temple in Darasuram is Airavatesvara Temple. This temple is around 4 kms from Kumbakonam and is fully rich of architecture. The temple premises are maintained by ASI and the sanctum is taken care of state government. It is believed that the white elephant of Indra, Airavatam, had worshipped Lord Siva in this temple and hence the name. The pillars in the temple are well ornamented and sculpted. This is a must visit temple near Kumbakonam. The temple opens around 07:30 and closes by 12:30 and again 4 PM to 8 PM. The lawn around the temple is well maintained as like Gangai Konda Cholapuram.

Next, we went to Patteswaram - 4 kms from Darasuram. This is a temple of Goddess Durga. Shiva is called Thenupuriswarar in this temple. There was no crowd when we went around 8 AM and had a very relaxed dharshan. Temple is open from 6 AM to 1 PM; 4 PM to 9 PM.

We then left the Thajavur and had breakfast at a hotel near old bus stand. We had some good breakfast with limited items only available at Hotel Vasantha Bhavan. Our next place was to visit Brihadeeswara temple. The temple was not crowded and we had excellent dharshan - we only were standing in the Sanctum for all time we were in. We also visited the small shop that sells souvenirs and local makes popular at Thanjavur like dolls and wooden items. We also visited Punnainallur Mariammam temple next day before starting to Chennai. At Thanjavur, we stayed in Hotel Ram Aariyas near the New bus stand. The AC rooms were very clean and comfortable. The bathrooms were also decently furnished and clean.

On the way back to Chennai, we visited Samayapuram Mariamman temple. The temple was undergoing restoration and was very crowded as it was an auspicious day. The queue was in thousands in no-fee dharshan and it had Rs.25 and Rs.100 fee queues. We did our dharshan in the paid queues in 10 minutes and came out. Parking is available opposite to the temple in a very big ground.

Some distances:

G.S.T Road

o   Tambaram – Kumbakonam – 281 kms (via Tindivanam, Villupuram, Ulundurpet, Virundhachalam, Andimadam, Jayamkondan)

o   Take left after Sengurichi Toll Plaza (Arya Nivas)  - toll comes after A2B

o   Sengurichi toll – Kumbakonam – 96 kms

o   Sengurichi toll – Virudhachalam – 27 kms

o   Virudhachalam – Kumbakonam – 70 kms

·         E.C.R

o   Tambaram – Kumbakonam – 284 kms (via Mahabs, Pondicherry, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Sirkazhi, Vaitheeswaran koil, Kadalangudi, Manambadi)

o   Tambaram – Chidambaram – 205 kms (via Tindivanam, Pondicherry, Cuddalore)

o   Tambaram – Chidambaram – 210 kms (via ECR, Kalpakkam, Pondicherry, Cuddalore)

o   Pondicherry – Chidambaram – 63 kms

o   Chidambaram - Vaitheeswaran Koil – 27 kms

o   Chidambaram – Kumbakonam – 81 kms

·         Kumbakonam – Swamimalai – 9 kms

·         Swamimalai – Darasuram – 7 – 8 kms

·         Darasuram – Patteswaram – 4 kms

·         Patteswaram – Thanjavur New bus stand – 47 kms