Kudanthaiyan

Kudanthaiyan is a city in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, known for its numerous Hindu temples and religious institutions. The city spreads across plains between the Kaveri and Arasalar rivers, where rice paddies and vegetable gardens shape the surrounding landscape.

The city experienced its golden age under the medieval Cholas from the 7th to 9th centuries, when it served as their capital. Control later shifted among the Pallava, Pandya, and Vijayanagara dynasties, each leaving their mark on temple architecture.

The name derives from a mythical pot that broke at this site during a cosmic event, releasing sacred objects. This meaning becomes visible in the temple tanks that have served as places of ritual purification for centuries.

Buses connect the city regularly with Chennai, Thanjavur, and other major towns in Tamil Nadu, with travel times varying depending on time of day. Most temples open early in the morning and close during the afternoon, reopening in the evening.

Every twelve years, the Mahamaham festival attracts millions of pilgrims who bathe in the large temple tank to cleanse themselves of sins. During this time, the city transforms into a sea of people arriving from all parts of India.