Kambatta Viswanathar Temple, Kumbakonam, Ancient Shiva temple in Kumbakonam, India
Kambatta Viswanathar Temple is a Shiva shrine in Kumbakonam with two sacred water sources used since ancient times for ritual bathing and purification. The grounds feature jasmine trees throughout the complex and include separate areas for worship, prayer, and religious ceremonies.
During the Chola dynasty, the temple site served as a major center for minting gold and silver coins, a legacy reflected in its name. Over time, the minting operation ceased, but the temple itself grew in spiritual importance and became a pilgrimage destination.
The temple draws its name from an ancient mint that once operated here, and serves as one of twelve sacred shrines that gather for the Mahamaham festival every 12 years. Visitors today witness how the grounds remain a place where devotees come to bathe, pray, and mark important moments in their spiritual lives.
The temple welcomes visitors during its regular daily schedule when religious ceremonies take place at two different times each day. Plan your visit to allow time for exploring the grounds and spending time at the sacred water sources for reflection or bathing.
According to ancient accounts, the grounds were once a dense forest called Malathivanam where a sage discovered a Shiva Linga that became the temple's foundation. This discovery led to the creation of the temple tank and established the site as a place of spiritual significance.
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