Shri Ekambareshwarar Temple

This is the 11th of 12 Shiva temples associated with Mahamagam festival. 

According to purana, this is the place where the remaining part of the kalash got scattered and became a Shiva linga. This temple is famous as Rahukaal-Kali kovil. It is believed that Rahu kaal pooja started from this temple. It is believed that the temple was constructed by Vishwakarma community. They worshipped Kaali as their main (community) deity. Hence they start their construction work by praying to her by placing a photograph before starting the work. 

Mulavar: Shri Ekambrareshwarar

Devi: Shri Kalika Parmeshwari, Shri Kamakshi Amman

Kshetra vruksha: Bilva

This is a west facing temple with a three tiered Rajagopuram. This Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga and Lord Shiva is facing the west. At the entrance of his sanctum we come across Shri Ganesha & Shri Murugan on either side. We come across Shri Nandi, Dwajastambha and balipeeth facing the sanctum in there usual position. Devi is housed in a separate shrine facing the south in standing position. Here we come across Shri Nandi in front of her instead of the usual lion. In this temple, Devi is presumed to be the Shiva-shakti rup, hence we have Nandi in front of her. 

Generally during the Mahamagam festival all other 11 temples, associated with Mahamagam festival are represented by Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi, but this temple is represented by Shri Kamakshi Devi. 

In a North facing shrine we come across Rahu-kaal-kaali who is addressed as Shri Kalika Parameshwari. At entrance of her shrine we come across idols of Shri Ganesha and Shri Naaga. She is ashta-bhooja Kali having different weapons on each of her hands. In front of her shrine we find the Ashta-Lakshmi mandap. In the northern side we have the shrine of a devi known as Shri Poonjolaimareri Amman. There are separate shrines for Shri Raja Ganapati, Shri Navagrahas, Shri Murugan with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai and Shri Chandikeshwarar. 

Kshetra puran:

This temple is associated with maha pralay. It was built by Vishwakarma community whose main deity is Goddess Kaali. They first worship a picture of her before starting construction work by placing a photo at side. It is stated that all temples in Kumbakonam were first build only after installing Shri Kaali. As mother Kamakshi is supreme in this place, she represents this temple at Mahamagam festival.

Daily pooja: Prayer & Rahu kaal pooja is performed daily.

About Rahu kaal pooja – First Shri Raja-Ganapati is worshiped and then pooja of Shri Kaalika Parmeshwari is performed. It is believed that by performing Shri Kaalika Parameshwari pooja all problems will be solved. In this temple young girls pray for marriage and a good husband. It is believed that, visiting this temple is equivalent to visiting the Kanchipooram Ekambareshwar temple. 

Festivals: 

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti 

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

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram. Sumangali (Savashin) pooja on puram nakshatra. On last Friday in month of Aadi, Thiruvilakku (Samai in Marathi) is performed

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

Panguni (Mar-April) Uttara nakshatra festival

Courtesy: Various blogs and websites