INDIAN
STATES & UNION TERRITORIES
Places
of interest in Tamilnadu
Kumbakonam
Text by
Lalitha Venkat
 |
Nageswara
temple |
One of the most
ancient temples in Kumbakonam, the small Nageswara Swami - Shiva temple,
one of the finest early Chola temples, is noted for the quality of its
sculpture, thought to have been completed a few years into the reign of
Parantaka I (907 - 940). Adisesha and Surya had worshipped Sri Nageswara
here. When Adisesha was groaning under the weight of the world, he came
to Kuvinvanam, the present Nageswara temple and did penance. Siva and Parvati
appeared before Adisesha and blessed him with enough strength. A well in
the temple is called Naga Theertham.
Standing in
a courtyard, the principal shrine to Shiva is connected to a columned mandapa.
Both share a base carved with scenes from the epics and lotus petals. The
main niches on the sanctum wall contain sculptures - on the north, Dakshinamurti
("south-facing" Shiva as teacher), on the west Ardhanarishvara (male Shiva
and female Shakti in one figure) and Brahma on the south. Joining them
are high-relief near-life-size sculptures of unidentified figures, perhaps
worshippers, donors or royalty. Within the courtyard, a shrine to Nataraja
features rearing horses and wheels, with tiny figures as spokes.
The sun’s rays
fall on the lingam in the central shrine through an opening in the eastern
tower for 3 days in a year – on the 11th, 12th and 13th days in the month
of Chithrai (April / May).
