Shri Banapureeshwarar temple

This is the 8th of 12 Shiva temples connected with Mahamagam festival. The temple is more than 1500 years old. This is the place where Lord Shiva broke the kalash by an arrow. Shaiva saint – Manikvasagar has sung a hymn on this place. 

Mulavar: Shri Banapureeshwarar, Shri Somanathar

Devi: Shri Kamalambal, Shri Kamalambigai, Shri Somkamalambal

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva tree

This temple has a three tier Rajagopuram with one parikrama and is facing the east. The Shiva Linga is believed to be a swayambhoo linga. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Mahamandap, Arthamandap and sanctum. 

Koshta murthis are: Shri Ganesha, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Ardanareeshwarar, Shri Bramha and Devi Durga

Devi is housed in a separate shrine on the northern side in Mahamandap facing the south. The idol is in a standing posture. She has rudrakshamala in two hands and her other 2 hands show Varada and Abhaya mudra. There is a separate shrine for Shri Vishnu along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The idol of Shri Hanumaan is facing the shrine of Shri Vishnu. In the NW corner we come across shrine of Devi Durga. There is a linga installed and worshipped by Sage Vyasa. There are separate Shrines for Shri Muruga with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Chandikeshwar, Devi Durga, Shri Ganesha, Shri Bhairava & Navagrahas. The idol of Goddess Durga is very big. 

Kshetra purana: The temple is connected with the pralaya leading to the formation of Mahamagam tank.

This is the place where Lord Shiva as Keeratmurthy broke the kalash with an arrow. 

Vyas Linga: Once Sage Vyasa was cursed by Nandi-deva. He approached Shri Vishnu for remedy who advised him to install a Shiva linga and worship Shri Shiva. He installed a Shiva linga and worshipped Shri Shiva and got rid of the curse. This linga is known as Vyasa linga in the parikrama and the story is depicted on the gopuram. 

A king of Bengal known as Soorasena was advised by Maharshi Sootha to worship Shri Shiva at this place so that the queen Kantimati could be cured of an incurable disease. He followed the advice and his wife was cured. He also got a child boon. He did some renovation work at this temple. Sage Vyaghrapada also worshipped Shri Shiva at this place. 

Festivals: 

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti 

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri, 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

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, Arudra Darshan

In addition to this, pradosh pooja and daily rituals are conducted. 

Prayers: People worship Devi here for prosperity and energetic. They worship for getting rid of decease.

Temple timing: 7am-11.30am; 5-8pm

Address: Shri Banapureeshwarar temple, Anna nagar, Kumbakonam 612001

Courtesy: Various websites publishing information about temples in South India