Banapuriswarar Temple Explained

Banapuriswarar Temple
Country:	India
State:	Tamil Nadu
District:	Thanjavur
Location:	Kumbakonam
Deity:	Banapuriswarar(Shiva) Somakamalambal (goddess)

Banapuriswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the town of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.^[1] According to Hindu mythology, the site was the place from where Shiva took his aim at a pot of amrita with his bow and arrow.^[2]

Specialty

12 Shiva temples are connected with Mahamaham festival which happens once in 12 years in Kumbakonam. They are :

• Kasi Visanathar Temple,
• Adi Kumbeswarar Temple,
• Someswarar Temple,
• Nageswaraswamy Temple,
• Kalahasteeswarar Temple,
• Gowthameswarar Temple,
• Kodeeswarar Temple,
• Amirthakadeswarar Temple,
• Banapuriswarar Temple,
• Abimukeswarar Temple,
• Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and
• Ekambareswarar Temple.

This temple is one among them.^[3]

Mahasamprokshanam

The Mahasamprokshanam also known as Kumbabishegam of the temple was held on 26 October 2015.^[4]

References

• Web site: Kumbakonam. 8. Hindu books. 16 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20110202053706/http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/tamilnadu/kumbhakonam/page8.htm. 2 February 2011. dead.
• Web site: Shiva temples of Thanjavur district. Shaivam.org. 16 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120825082417/http://www.shaivam.org/gallery/image/gspt_tj.htm. 25 August 2012. dead.
• News: The Mahamaham in retrospect. The Hindu. https://web.archive.org/web/20040508202738/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/02/27/stories/2004022701760400.htm. dead. 2004-02-27. 2004-05-08.
• Web site: Adhi Kumbeswarar Temple. Mandir.net. 16 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120110190239/http://www.mandirnet.org/temples_list/templedetails.php?country=India&state=&city=&ID=263. 10 January 2012. dead.

10.9647°N 79.3817°W

Notes and References

1. Book: Moorthy, K. K.. That Lord Siva to be adored: a mini-compendium of 300 Saivate shrines. Message Publications. 1995. 360.
2. Web site: Banapurisvarar Temple. Online Highways.
3. Mahamaham Festival 2004 (in Tamil), Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Administration Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, 2004
4. News: Vedaranyeswarar temple ‘kumbhabhishekam’ draws thousands. The Hindu. 2015-10-27. 2015-10-28.