Image title: Figure 52. Adi Kumbesvarar temple in Kumbakonam and the Mahamaham tank

The Kumbham had its rest in this place and this ancient place is named as Kumbakonam. After the Kumbham came to rest Lord Siva appeared as a hunter and broke the Kumbham with his bow and arrow. The spilt Amrtam fell in a place now called Mahamaham tank where millions of piligrims have their holy bath during Mahamaham.

Lord Siva gathered the sand wet with the remaining Amrtam and shaped it into the Maha Lingam which is known as Adi Kumbesvarar. This Maha Lingam is different from other Lingam s found in other temples in that it is not made of granite stone and hence Abhisekam cannot be performed with watery substances lest they should dissolve the Lingam. This idol of Kiratamurti is a special feature in the temple and it is standing monument to commemorate that Siva himself has created the Maha Lingam.

Gallery information:

Kumbakonam is considered as one of the holiest places in Tamil Nadu and is known for its temples and Mathas (monasteries which were centres of Brahmanical learning). These photographs depict the connection between the sculptures in the temples and Natya Shastra and related texts dealing with iconography.