Pancha-krosha-sthala around Kumbhakonam

In ancient times there was a measure known as krosham in Tamil which denoted the distance. It is roughly around 1.3 miles or 2.08 kms in prevailing unit of measurement for distance. 

In those bygone days, some temples were identified as being within the range of 5 kroshas (roughly 6.5 miles or 10.4 kms) and were together known as Panchakrosha kshetras or Pancha krosha sthalam. 

In India we have five places or five sets of temples identified as Panchakroshi kshetra. They are 

1. Kashi 

2. Ujjain

3. Kumbhakonam 

4. Pazhaiyarai 

5. Thirunelveli 

In each of these places, the temples in the range of pancha krosha (roughly 6.5 miles or 10.4 kms) around each place are together called pancha krosha sthalas. For example, temples in the range of 10.4 kms around Kashi are called Pancha Krosha Sthalam around Kashi.  

Similarly temples in the range of 10.4 kms around Kumbhakonam are called Pancha Krosha Sthalas around Kumbhakonam. They are 

1. Shri Mahalingaswamy Temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur

2. Shri Nageshwara Swamy Temple at Thirunageshwaram 

3. Shri Sundareshwar Temple at Koranattukarupur  (popularly known as PettiAmman Kovil) 

4. Shri SwamynathSwamy temple at Swami Malai 

5. Shri Airawateshwarar Temple at Darasuram

In the bygone days there was a custom to visit these pancha krosha sthalas in one day starting from early morning when temples open till closing time of temples. Even now, people follow this custom. 

In upcoming weeks, we will be posting information of each of pancha krosha sthala around Kumbhakonam.

Courtesy: Various blogs and websites