Shri Abhimukheshwarar Temple

This is the 4th Shiva temple connected with Mahamagam festival located in Kumbakonam city. Abhimukh means looking straight ahead. This temple is on the eastern bank of Mahamagam tank. This is the place where the coconut from the kalash fell. Worshiping in this temple is beneficial for people of Zodiac sign Libra (Tula). The temple is about 1200 years old and was renovated in 16th century. 

Mulavar: Shri Abhimukheshwarar

Devi: Shri Amrutvalli

Kshetra vruksha: Gooseberry tree (Avala in Marathi)

Sacred teertha: Mahamagam tank

It is believed that the coconut from the kalash which fell here became a Shiva linga. 

About the temple and idols: 

This is a small west facing temple with a 2 tier Rajagopuram. The entrance of the temple and Shiva linga faces west. The Dwarpal at the entrance to the Lord’s shrine are in a dancing posture which is a rare sight.

Kosthamurthys: On north side we see Lord Brahma, on east side we find Shri Lingodbhavar, on south side we find Shri Dakshinamurthy. Here Shri Dakshinamurthy is known as Yoga-Dakshinamurthy. He appears in sitting position with one leg kneeled down and his head is slightly bent. Goddess Amritvalli is in a separate shrine on right side of Lord Shiva. The Navgrahas are housed on a small peetham. Here we find idol of Lord Shanishwar is taller than other idols. Then we come across idol of Lord Bhairava which is tallest in this temple when compared to the Bhairava idols in the other 11 temples associated with Mahamagam tank. 

Kshetra puran: 

This place is associated with the pralay, the details of which we have already mentioned. 

Shri Abhimukheshwarar: According to purana, Lord Shiva was facing East when Nav-karnikas came to bathe here first time. They requested Lord to face the tank so that they can have the darshan from the tank itself. Lord acceded to their request and started facing the west. Hence he is known as Shri Abhimukheshwarar.

A girl got cured of leprosy here. A Brahmin family from Kashmir namely Sudhavan and his wife Seelavathi had a beautiful girl named Sumati. When the girl attained marriageable age, she was infected by Leprosy due to her previous karma. Then in the village, the people despised her and started avoiding her. The parents prayed to Lord Shiva for their daughters cure. Sage Narada appeared in their dream and advised them to take bath in Mahamagam tanks during Mahamagam festival and worship Lord Abhimukheshwar for the sake of their daughter. When couple did as directed by Sage Narada, the girl got rid of her decease. Lord Shiva gave darshan to Sudhavan and asked him to conduct his daughter’s marriage in front of him and stay for sometime at this place so that he can reach Kailash with his family. 

Festivals: 

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti 

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Shivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi, 

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri 

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival 

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

In addition daily rituals are held in this temple.

Prayers: Parihar sthala for Shani dosh. People light ghee lamp on Saturday for relief. People pray for getting cure of their decease by offering goose berries to Lord Shiva. People pray from adverse effect of the planet by lighting ghee lamps. 

Temple timing: 7am-12pm and 4-8pm

Temple address: Shri Abhimukheshwarar temple, near Mahamagam tank, Kumbakonam 612201

Phone: 4352420187

Courtesy: Following sites 

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/