Sodasa Linga Mandapas are Hindu temples dedicated to the deity Shiva, the mandapas or temples found around the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sodasa Linga Mandapas are Hindu temples dedicated to the deity Shiva, the mandapas or temples found around the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.
These 16 mandapas are devoted to Brammatheerthesvarar, Mukundesvarar, Dhanesvarar, Virushabesvarar, Baanesvarar, Konesvarar, Bhakthikesvarar, Bhairavesvarar, Agasthisvarar, Vyasakesvarar, Umabakevarar, Nirutheesvarar, Brammesvarar, Gangathesvarar, Mukthatheerthesvarar, and Shethrabalesvarar. [3] [4] [5] They were represented by the lingam . Govinda Dikshitar, the chieftain of Ragunatha Nayak of Thanjavur, constructed the sixteen mandapams and stone steps around this tank. [6] [7]
Of the mandapas, in the biggest one, the sculpture of offering of gold by Ragunatha Nayak is found. In other mandapas sculptures pertaining to the respective grants are found. [8]
Around the Mahamaham tank, these mandapas are found in all directions, except south. Of these shrines and mandapas eight are facing east-west, four are facing south-north, two are facing south-west and north-east and two are in north-east and south-west and south-east and north-east. [9] These mandapas are under the administration of Kasi Visvanathar Temple. [10]
| Temples | Mandapas |
| Southwest | Northeast |
| East | West |
| East | West |
| East | West |
| South | North |
| Northeast | Southwest |
| East | West |
| East | West |
| Southeast | Northwest |
| South | North |
| South | North |
| South | North |
| Southwest | Northeast |
| East | West |
| East | West |
| East | West |
These mandapas are also called as Sodasa (16) Mahalingas. [4] Kumbhabhishekham to these mandapas were held on 29 November 2015. [11] [12] [13]
Mahamaham, also known as Mahamagham or Mamangam, is a Hindu festival celebrated every 12 years in the Mahamaham tank located in the city of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu in the south of India. This 20-acre square tank surrounded by Shiva mandapams is believed by Tamil Hindus to be ancient, and the holy confluence of nine Indian river goddesses: Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Kaveri, and Sarayu, states Diana Eck – a professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies. On the day of the Mahamaham festival, the river goddesses and Shiva gather here to rejuvenate their waters, according to a legend in the Periya Purana. The Hindus consider taking a pilgrimage and holy dip at the Mahamaham tirtha on the day of Mahamaham festival as sacred. The event attracts chariot processions, street fairs and classical dance performances in temple mandapas. The 12-year cycle Mahamaham festival in Tamil Nadu is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Magha, and is a symbolic equivalent of the Kumbh Mela.
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in the town of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Adi Kumbeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Mangalambigai Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical, greatest work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian architecture located in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This temple, built by Chola emperor Rajaraja II in the 12th century CE is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram that are referred to as the Great Living Chola Temples.
Someswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Someswarar and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Somasundari. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Kumbakonam is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kasi Viswanathar, and His consort Parvati is depicted as Visalakshi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Mahamaham tank is a huge temple tank located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. It is considered to be the foremost and one of the largest temple tanks in Tamil Nadu. The Masimaham festival held in the tank has 100,000 visitors and the once-in-12-year Mahamaham festival has close to 2 million visitors.
Amirthakadeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located at Sakkottai in Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. Shiva is worshiped as Amirthakadeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Amirthavalli Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
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2016 Mahamaham is a recurring festival most recently celebrated at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India from 13 February 2016 to 22 February 2016. Mahamaham, also known as Mahamagham or Mamangam, is a Hindu festival celebrated every 12 years in the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam.
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