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== Legends ==

== Legends ==

This sacred shrine of Thiru Kudanthai is sung by seven of the twelve alwars. Referred to by Bhuthathalwar in his hymns, this temple is considered to belong to a very early period. Infact, this shrine has a special significance in the history of Vaishnavism because of its connection to Nathamuni. It is said that, it was in this sannadhi that Nathamuni (the grand father of Alavandar) first heard the ten hymns of Nammalwar in praise of Amudan and then paved the way for the renaissance of all the four thousand hymns of the Alwars at Alwar Thirunagari. Ths, the temple is much respected due to its association with Thirumazhisai Alwar, Nathamuni as well as Hema Maharishi.   

This sacred shrine of Thiru Kudanthai is sung by seven of the twelve alwars. Referred to by Bhuthathalwar in his hymns, this temple is considered to belong to a very early period. Infact, this shrine has a special significance in the history of Vaishnavism because of its connection to Nathamuni. It is said that, it was in this sannadhi that Nathamuni (the grand father of Alavandar) first heard the ten hymns of Nammalwar in praise of Amudan and then paved the way for the renaissance of all the four thousand hymns of the Alwars at Alwar Thirunagari. Thus, the temple is much respected due to its association with Thirumazhisai Alwar, Nathamuni as well as Hema Maharishi.   

Several puranas give accounts of the importance of this shrine. Especially, the Brahmanda Purana and Bhavishya Purana bring out the merits and prominence of this temple.   

Several puranas give accounts of the importance of this shrine. Especially, the Brahmanda Purana and Bhavishya Purana bring out the merits and prominence of this temple.   

* According to a Purana, this place was originally known as Kudamukku. It is said that, once Brahma created Amrutha Kudam (pot of nectar), with the four Vedas offering protection on four sides and kept it on the Meru mountain. However, during Pralaya, the great deluge, the amruta vessel got dislodged and spilled over the vast region of the present Kumbakonam. Hence the name.  

* According to a Purana, this place was originally known as Kudamukku. It is said that, once Brahma created Amruta Kudam (pot of nectar), with the four Vedas offering protection on four sides and kept it on the Meru mountain. However, during Pralaya, the great deluge, the amruta vessel got dislodged and spilled over the vast region of the present Kumbakonam. Hence the name.  

* According to another legend, sage Brghu once went to see Mahavishnu. However, the Lord was in the company of Sridevi and did not immediately respond. Annoyed at this, Brghu kicked Vishnu on his chest, the place where Sridevi resides. Therefore, Sridevi took this as a personal insult and descended on earth and began a severe penance on a thousand-petalled lotus in a tank named Pottramarai at Kumbakonam. This is the tank that later gave birth to goddess Komalavalli and hence is considered very sacred. It is said that, when the milky ocean was being churned, the Amruta Kalash broke and it is believed that some nectar spilled into this tank.  

* According to another legend, sage Brghu once went to see Mahavishnu. However, the Lord was in the company of Sridevi and did not immediately respond. Annoyed at this, Brghu kicked Vishnu on his chest, the place where Sridevi resides. Therefore, Sridevi took this as a personal insult and descended on earth and began a severe penance on a thousand-petalled lotus in a tank named Pottramarai at Kumbakonam. This is the tank that later gave birth to goddess Komalavalli and hence is considered very sacred. It is said that, when the milky ocean was being churned, the Amruta Kalash broke and it is believed that some nectar spilled into this tank.  

* In his next birth, Rishi Brghu was born as Hema Maharshi. He remembered the actions of his earlier birth and regretted that he was the main cause of separation between Mahavishnu and the devi. Inorder to repent for his wrong doing, he began a severe penance. And pleased with his prayers, Mahavishnu gave darshan to Hema Maharishi and granted him boons. As a boon he prayed to beget Sri Lakshmi devi as his daughter and the Lord himself as his son-in-law. Mahavishnu fulfilled the request and married Komalavalli much to the rishi's joy and hence the kshetra is also known as Kalyanapuram. Therefore, it is said that anyone who wishes to take a dip in this tank that purifies and paves way for salvation, is first told to worship Hema Maharishi at the shrine. Even, Thirumazhisai alwar is said to have attained salvation here.  

* In his next birth, Rishi Brghu was born as Hema Maharshi. He remembered the actions of his earlier birth and regretted that he was the main cause of separation between Mahavishnu and the devi. In order to repent for his wrong doing, he began a severe penance. And pleased with his prayers, Mahavishnu gave darshan to Hema Maharishi and granted him boons. As a boon he prayed to beget Sri Lakshmi devi as his daughter and the Lord himself as his son-in-law. Mahavishnu fulfilled the request and married Komalavalli much to the rishi's joy and hence the kshetra is also known as Kalyanapuram. Therefore, it is said that anyone who wishes to take a dip in this tank that purifies and paves way for salvation, is first told to worship Hema Maharishi at the shrine. Even, Thirumazhisai alwar is said to have attained salvation here.  

* It is said that Ayya Kumara Tata Desikan constructed a separate shrine for Komalavalli Thayar. And then, pleased with his devotion, it was a Nayaka Raja who erected a sannadhi for Ayya Kumara Tata Desikan.  

* It is said that Ayya Kumara Tata Desikan was the one who constructed a separate shrine for Komalavalli Thayar. And then, pleased with his devotion, it was a Nayaka Raja who erected a sannadhi for Ayya Kumara Tata Desikan.  

* According to a legend, [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]], the Sun deity, once, lost in contest to Sudarshana Chakra. Having lost, it was after a long severe penance that the Sun deity regained his original glory. Therefore, the place came to be known as Bhaskara Kshetra and the Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Sarangapani here is considered most powerful as he defeated Surya.   

* According to a legend, [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]], the Sun deity, once, lost in a contest to the Sudarshana Chakra. Having lost, it was after a long severe penance in this kshetra that the Sun deity regained his original glory. Therefore, the place came to be known as Bhaskara Kshetra and the Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Sarangapani here is considered most powerful as he defeated Surya.   

* There is also another interesting legend which says that once, Mahavishnu went out of the shrine without the knowledge of Mahalakshmi. And therefore, on his return the Devi refused to open the door. It was then left to Nammalwar to reconcile and bring the divine couple together.  

* There is also another interesting legend which says that once, Mahavishnu went out of the shrine without the knowledge of Mahalakshmi. And therefore, on his return the Devi refused to open the door. It was then left to Nammalwar to reconcile and bring the divine couple together.  

There was an orphan named Lakshmi Narayana who was a sincere devotee of the Lord Sarangapani. With tears in his eyes and a beatific smile on his face he danced and sang fully realising the sweetness of Amudha. He could go on in this way for days and nights without a break and without any exhaustion. His only obsession was to build a gopura for his favouriteSarangaraja. With advancing age he was sure that the Lord would save him just as he saved the Pandavas. In due course of time he realised his dream. The Lord truly abides in all things and he realised the Lord in his own heart. When he died the Lord directed one of his archaka in his dream to do the final samskara for Lakshmi Narayana Swami. After this dream command the archaka is believed to have taken the holy grass from the Lord and performed the final ceremony. Thus every year on DeepavaliAmavasya this ceremony is performed at Kumbakonam temple at the command of the Lord.  

 

* Another story says that there was an orphan named Lakshmi Narayana who was a sincere devotee of the Lord Sarangapani. With tears in his eyes and a blissful smile on his face, he danced and sang fully realising the sweetness of Amuda. He could go on in this way for days and nights without a break and without any exhaustion. His only obsession was to build a gopura for his favourite Sarngaraja. In due course of time, the dream came true and he realised that the Lord abides in all things as well as his own heart. With advancing age, he was sure that Mahavishnu would save him just as he saved the Pandavas. In fact, when he died, Mahavishnu directed one of his archaka through a dream to do the final samskara for Lakshmi Narayana Swami. Taking this as a divine command, the archaka is believed to have taken the grass from the Lord's hands and performed the final ceremony on his behalf. Thus, every year on Deepavali Amavasya, this ceremony is performed in this Kumbakonam temple at the command of the Lord himself.  

== Festivals ==

== Festivals ==