Someshwar Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Someswar Temple, facing east with a 5-tier Gopuram at the entrance. The architectural style and element of this temple resembles the Dravidian Architecture of 13th century of the Chola period. Arumugam and Thenar Mozhi Ammal are the other deities located in this temple complex

Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Religions - Hinduism - Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples). The gopuram has numerous sculptures and the first row is predominantly of erotic poses.

Main Gopuram of the Sarangapani Temple, Erotic poses, Kumbakonam, India

Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples). The gopuram has numerous sculptures and the first row is predominantly of erotic poses.

Main Gopuram of the Sarangapani Temple, Erotic poses, Kumbakonam, India

Religions - Hinduism - Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples). The gopuram has numerous sculptures and the first row is predominantly of erotic poses.

Mridangam, Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples).

Chariot being pulled by the elephant, Sculpture, Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples).

Horses steering the chariot in the front, Sculpture, Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples).

Decorated door, Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples).

Pillored hall, Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples).

Sculpture, Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples). The gopuram has numerous sculptures and the first row is predominantly of erotic poses.

Grill door, Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples).

Gopuram tower view from the inside, Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples).

Top of the Gopuram tower, Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu or Divya Desams, temples sung in praise by the Azhvars (divine saints), this temple is next only to Srirangam and Tirupati. The temple itself is built in the form of a chariot as it is believed that Lord Vishnu came to earth in his chariot to marry Lakshmi who was doing penance by the tank, and then he and Lakshmi continued to stay in the chariot itself. The 12 stored gopuram is one of the largest and before the Srirangam temple was built, the largest in South Asia. It was built by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. This temple is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams (5 Ranganatha temples).

Hema Pushkarni with Sri Kumbeshwara Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Tank between Sarangapani and Kumbeshwara, Kumbakonam, India

Guarding the entrance, Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Lord Shiva took the remaining Amruth in the pot, mixed it with sand and molded it into a Mahalingam and called it Sri Adi Kumbeshwara. Thus this is one of the most important temples in Kumbakonam. It covers an area of 30000 sq.feet and has four large gopurams, the tallest of which is 127 feet high and nine stories. Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika is the lord's Consort here. There is also a Navarathri Manatapam here that has all the 27 stars and the 12 Rasis artistically carved into one block of stone. The way to the temple is lined with stores selling bronze statues.

Paintings on the ceiling of the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Lord Shiva took the remaining Amruth in the pot, mixed it with sand and molded it into a Mahalingam and called it Sri Adi Kumbeshwara. Thus this is one of the most important temples in Kumbakonam. It covers an area of 30000 sq.feet and has four large gopurams, the tallest of which is 127 feet high and nine stories. Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika is the lord's Consort here. There is also a Navarathri Manatapam here that has all the 27 stars and the 12 Rasis artistically carved into one block of stone. The way to the temple is lined with stores selling bronze statues.

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple elephant, Kumbakonam, India

Lord Shiva took the remaining Amruth in the pot, mixed it with sand and molded it into a Mahalingam and called it Sri Adi Kumbeshwara. Thus this is one of the most important temples in Kumbakonam. It covers an area of 30000 sq.feet and has four large gopurams, the tallest of which is 127 feet high and nine stories. Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika is the lord's Consort here. There is also a Navarathri Manatapam here that has all the 27 stars and the 12 Rasis artistically carved into one block of stone. The way to the temple is lined with stores selling bronze statues.

Sri Mangalambika Hotel, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India

Lord Shiva took the remaining Amruth in the pot, mixed it with sand and molded it into a Mahalingam and called it Sri Adi Kumbeshwara. Thus this is one of the most important temples in Kumbakonam. It covers an area of 30000 sq.feet and has four large gopurams, the tallest of which is 127 feet high and nine stories. Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika is the lord's Consort here. There is also a Navarathri Manatapam here that has all the 27 stars and the 12 Rasis artistically carved into one block of stone. The way to the temple is lined with stores selling bronze statues.

Blue door with bells, Sri Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Chariot Hall, Sri Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam, India

Swamimalai temple, Kumbakonam, India

Muruga, Swamimalai temple, Kumbakonam, India

Valli wedding, Swamimalai temple, Kumbakonam, India

Muruga, Shiva, The meaning of OM, Swamimalai temple, Kumbakonam, India

Saving the damsel, Swamimalai temple, Kumbakonam, India

Swamimalai, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India

Pranava mantra, Swamimalai temple, Kumbakonam, India

Muruga telling the meaning of OM to Shiva

Swamimalai, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India

Muruga telling the meaning of OM to Shiva