Sangam Thanjavur - LocalArea

Local Area


	Brahadeeswara Temple : The Brahadeeswara Temple was built by the Chola King, Raja Raja I in the 10th century AD. The temple has a gigantic Mahalingam and the second largest monolithic Nandi in India. Besides this, it has a gigantic 14-tiered pyramid-shaped tower over the temple sanctum, 64.8m tall with a square base topped by huge monolithic granite cupolas .Its unique construction ensures that the shadow of the cupola never falls on the ground.

	Gangaikondacholapuram : The beautiful town of Gangaikondacholapuram was constructed on the banks of the river Ganges by the Chola King Rajendra I to commemorate his victory over the kingdoms bordering it. The rock carvings here are bold and make an impact with their keen sense of detailing and style. There is a huge rock carving of a temple elephant with the valiant guardians of the city. A huge Nandi, a dancing Ganesha and a lion-headed well are other attractions.

	Darasuram Temple: The Darasuram temple is a fine testimony to the skill and craftsmanship of 12th century Chola architects. The temple is covered with exquisite sculptures of Lord Siva in all his magnificence. He dazzles the viewer with his myriad poses besides enthralling the wives of sages who also form part of these wall friezes. The temple front is a treat with fine columns interspersed with miniature sculptures.

	Tirumanancheri: Tirumanancheri is located near Thanjavur . The Tirumanancheri temple is a famous pilgrimage centre. The legend is that Goddess Parvati had expressed her desire to Lord Shiva to have an earthly wedding. She was reborn to Bharata Muni. When it was time for her to be married, Lord Shiva emerged from the lingam.Bharata Muni, then approached Lord Shiva and asked for his hand in marriage to his daughter. Thus, he fulfilled Parvathi’s wish and a ceremonial marriage was performed. A moat surrounds the temple and it is said that the waters gathered to witness this spectacle. The temple has beautiful images of Lord Nataraja, Lord Kalyanasundarar and Aadi Sesha. The bronzes of Lord Kalyanasundarar date back to the 10th Century. Images of Ganapathi, Nataraja, Dakshinamurthy, Lingobhavar, Bhramma and Durga adorn the niches of the sanctum here. Lord Varadarajar with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi are also worshipped here.

	Thirukadaiyur : Tirukadaiyur is located near Thanjavur . The Thirukadaiyur Temple is also known as Tirukkadavur and is one of the 8 Virastalams or places of valour dedicated to Sri Parameswara. It is known as the place where the Lord of Death was sighted. It is one among the 274 temples praised by the Saivite saints. The presiding deity is a self-originated linga believed to have been created out of ambrosia brought by celestials. The Mrtunjaya deity is a copper image majesticand ferociousseen with a trident projecting downward on the Lord of Death who is shown falling flat with palms joined together. Close by, stands the immortal Markandeya. The legend is that Markandeya who was the exceptionally brilliant son of sage Mrkandu was given only a short span of 16 years to live. As the days to his death drew closer, he stayed at this temple worshipping Lord Amrtagesvara. Onseeing the Lord of Death, he embraced the linga. Enraged at this attitude, the Lord of Death threw a rope over Markandeya which went over the linga too. An angry Lord Amrtagatesvara materialised from the Linga and reprimanded him saying, “How dare you snatch me with a rope?’ A large figure hit the Lord of Death with a trident and destroyed him. The deity granted Markandeya the boon of being ever 16 and immortal. Therefore, the deity is also known as Mrtunjaya, the Destroyer of the Lord of Death

Enkann : Enkann is located near Thanjavur and houses the Subramaniyaswamy Temple . The deity is seen on his 'vahana' the peacock, flanked by his wives Valli and Deivane. Devotees visit the temple seeking prosperity and health. The legend is that once while Lord Brahma visited Lord Shiva at Kailash, he ignored Lord Vinayaka and Lord Murugan who were at the entrance. Angered at this, Lord Murugan asked him to explain the Pranava Mantra. Lord Brahma was unable to give the correct explanation and so Lord Murugan deprived him of his creative power. At this,Brahma undertook severe penance and offered pooja to Lord Shiva with all his eight eyes.Since this was done at this spot the temple is also known as ‘Ashtanethrapuram’. Following this, Lord Murugan expounded the Pranava mantra to him and restored his powers. The Kandashasti festival and Thaipoosam Festival are celebrated at this temple in a big way attracting crowds of devotees.

	Sikkal : Sikkal which is near Thanjavur is a famous Siva temple with Lord Siva as Sri Navaneetheswara. The main deity is Lord Subrahmanya called Singaravelavar. He is in the form of utsavamurti with his consorts Valli and Devayanai, showering his divine grace. The temple was built by Muchukunda Cholan. It has three holy tanks Ksheera or milk, Gaya and Lakshmi Tanks. It has a seven-tiered rajagopuram that adorns the entrance to this temple and is an astounding 80 feet in height. The temple walls are covered with inscriptions from the imperial Chola period and Vijayanagar period. The Kartikai Mandapam has paintings depicting legends related to Subramanya. The legend goes that Sage Vasishta prayed to Lord Shiva to rescue his cow, Kamadhenu, whose milk had flowed and frozen to form butter. He made a lingam out of this butter – Venneippiran, and tried to move it. However , it had gotten stuck giving it the name Sikkal or ‘being in a fix’.
Festival

The Annual Festival

	The Annual Festival of 9 days is celebrated in the month of Visaka, during which a play on Raja Rajeswara is also enacted. The deity is bathed on these days with fragrant water in which the buds of big Champaka flowers have been soaked. Ghee is used instead of oil to keep the temple lamps burning. Special offerings prepared for the occasion consist of eight varieties of cooked rice mixed with ingredients like tamarind, coconut, lime, juice, jaggery, gingelly and curd.

	The Karthika Festival : King Raja Raja's birth was an occasion for great rejoicing in his kingdom and the celebrations continue till today. The Karthika Festival is celebrated every month on the day when the ruling star is Satabhishag, since the same star appeared during his birth.

	Maha Maham Festival : Once in twelve years, millions throng Kumbakonam to attend the famous Maha Maham festival. It is believed that during this occasion all the twelve Punya Theerthas will merge at the tank. Kumbakonam, 36 Kms from Tanjore, boasts of important temples including Sarangapani, Kumbeswarar, Nageswara and Ramaswamy temples.

Kartigai Somavara Festival : This Festival is celebrated at the Tirukkadaiyur Temple and its highlight is that Sri Armagateshwara is anointed with 1008 conches. Conches curling to the right are spread at the centre and those curling to the left at the sides. The sacred waters of the Markandeya Kasi Tirtham are filled and anointing done according to Vedic religious observances.

Church Festival : The Church Festival at the Sacred Arokia Matha Church or Velankanni is celebrated from 29th August to 8th September and attracts devotes from India and all over the world. Devotees bathe and the sea, shave their heads and offer their hair. Then, they move towards the church on their knees or roll up to it.

Kandhuri Urs : The yearly festival at Nagore is called 'Kandhuri Urs'. It begins at Meera Pally mosque in Nagapattinam with a Rath containing the flags of the Dargah proceeding to Nagore. On reaching , the flags are hoisted to inaugurate Kandhuri Urs. On the 10th day, a grand procession again starts at Nagapattinam from 'Koottadi', an open ground carrying Koodu - a pot containing Sandalwood paste. It ends at Meeran Sahib’s tomb after the sandal paste is spread over it reverently. The flags are pulled down on the 14th day.

Kandha Sasthi Festival : This Festival is celebrated to commemorate the victory Of Lord Murugan over Surapadman. It is also the day when Brahma, Tirumal, Indiran and others offered puja to Him and were granted the boons they wished for. The 8-day Festival has processions everyday where the deity is taken out in different vahanas like the Peacock, Horse , Elephant and Flower Vahanas.