Kamal Guha at 01:20, 16 November 2023

2023-11-16T01:20:55Z

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{{Use Indian English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Kumarakottam temple
| image = Kumarakottam Temple towers.jpg|
| alt =
| caption = Kumarakottam temple towers
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|12.841|N|79.701|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline}}
| native_name = Subramaniya swāmi temple
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Kanchipuram district|Kānchipuram district]]
| location = [[Kanchipuram|Kānchipuram city]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = Subramanya Swāmi ([[Murugan]])
| festivals=[[Shashthi|Kandha Shashti]]
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]] ([[Pallava]])
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = rebuilt 1915 CE.
| creator =
| website = {{url|kumarakottammurugantemple.tnhrce.in}}
}}

The '''Kumara kottam Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] in [[Kanchipuram|Kānchipuram]], [[Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nādu]], [[India]]. It is dedicated to Lord [[Murugan]], the Hindu war god and the son of the gods [[Shiva]] and his mother [[Parvati|Pārvathi]]. The temple is also known as the Subramaniya Swāmi temple. The ancient temple was rebuilt in its present form in 1915 CE. The temple is one of the 21 major temples in Kānchipuram and is an important pilgrimage centre.{{sfn|Knapp|2009|p=305}} Saint [[Arunagirinathar|Aruna giri nādhar]] has sung hymns in praise of the Murugan icon of this temple.<ref name="Koti" />

==Location==
[[File:Kanchi subramaniar temple1.jpg|left|thumb|[[Gopuram|Rajagopura]] of the Kumarakottam Temple]]The Kumara kottam temple is located on the main Rāja Street.{{sfn|Rao2001|p=56}} It is said to form a cluster with [[Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram)|Ekāmbareswarar temple]] and the [[Kamakshi Amman Temple|Kāmākshi Amman temple]] but each temple has its own liturgical identity.{{sfn|Michell|1993|p=30}} The Murugan temple is located between the temples of his parents – the Ekāmbareswarar temple dedicated to [[Shiva]] and the Kāmākshi Amman temple dedicated to [[Kamakshi|Kāmākshi]], an aspect of Pārvathi. Symbolically, this setting represents the iconography of [[Somaskanda|Somāskandha]], an aspect of Shiva where he is depicted with Murugan and Pārvathi. The child Murugan is depicted seated between his parents. This representation led to the cult of Somāskandha.{{sfn|Rao|2008|p = 109-110}} All temples in Kānchipuram are stated to be dedicated to one extended family of gods.{{sfn|Michell|1993|p=30}}

==Religious significance==
The temple legend in the ''[[Kanda Puranam|Kandha Purānam]]'' – the Tamil version of the ''[[Skanda Purana|Skanda Purāna]]'' which is mainly devoted to Murugan (also known as Skandha or Kandha) – states that Murugan had imprisoned the creator-god [[Brahma|Brahmā]] here for the latter's ignorance of [[Om]], the single syllable [[mantra]] which is sacred in Hinduism and himself assumed the role of the creator in this place. However, Murugan's father Shiva had ordered him to release Brahmā. When Murugan realized his mistake in not obeying his father’s instruction, he did penance before a [[Lingam|Linga]] (the [[aniconic]] symbol of Shiva), which subsequently was worshipped by the name of ''Devasenāpathīsar'', literally, the Lord who was worshipped by Devasenāpathi (an epithet of Murugan as the commander-in-chief of the gods).{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=109-110}} In another version it is said that the penitent Brahmā is said to have been released by Shiva after he worshipped Murugan after learning his lessons in humility.{{sfn|Rao2001|p=56}}

==Features==
[[File:Dwajasthamba of Kumarakottam Temple.jpg|left|thumb|''[[Dwajasthambam|Dwaja sthamba]]'' (Flagpost) of the Kumarakottam Temple]]
[[File:View of Kumarakottam Temple.jpg|right|thumb|Side view of the Kumarakottam Temple]]
The temple was rebuilt during 1915.<ref name=Diwakar>{{cite book|title=Temples of South India|first=Macherla|last=Diwakar|location=Chennai|year=2011|edition=1st|page=143|isbn=978-93-83440-34-4|publisher=Techno Book House}}</ref> It has the temple pinnacle (''[[shikara]]'') above the main sanctum (''[[garbhagriha|garbha griha]]''), which is built in granite and is in the shape of a dome called the ''chakra vimānam'' (circular dome) which is a [[Chola]] period structure. The [[corbel]]s and the [[pilasters]] with epigraphs decorate the walls of the temple.{{sfn|Rao2001|p=55}}
The temple has two ''[[prakaram|prakāram]]s'' ([[pradakshina|circumambulatory]] passages) and many ''parivāra devatās'' (family deities) are installed in subshrines around it.<ref name=Koti>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/visitors/temples%20in%20Kanchi.html?PHPSESSID=8fbec77f0783fc108c69fea4bedc569d#muruga|title=Temples in Kānchi Near Srimatam|access-date=22 August 2013|publisher=Kamakoti organization}}</ref>

The central image of Murugan is uniquely depicted as Brahma-Shāstā, holding a [[kamandalu]] (water pot) and prayer beads of [[Rudraksha|Rudrāksha]].{{sfn|Rao|2008|p = 109-110}}

The linga worshipped by Murugan is deified in a separate shrine within the temple complex and is called ''Devasenāpathīsar'' or ''Senāpathi Ishvara''.{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=159}}

==''Kandha Purānam''==
[[File:The mandapam where Kantha puranam was released.jpg|right|thumb|[[Mandapa|Mantapam]] (Hall) in the Kumarakottam Temple complex where the epic Kandha Purānam was released]]
[[Kachiyapper|Kacchiyappar]] (Kacchiyappa Shiva āchāriyār), a Tamil scholar, was a priest in the Kumara kottam temple. He composed the text ''Kandha Purānam''. The hall, the ''Kandhapurāna Arangetra [[Mandapa|Mantapam]] ''(An outdoor pavilion) where Kacchiyappar composed the text still exists in the temple complex. Peacocks flock the premises even now.{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=109-110}}Kacchiyappar wrote the epic in six [[canto]]s, comprising 10,346 stanzas. It is believed that the first line of the first stanza was written by Kacchiyappar's patron deity, Murugan himself. The god is also believed to have corrected the 100 stanzas written by the priest during the day.{{sfn|Pillai|1904|p=107}} The poet took his composition to the god and rehearsed it.{{sfn|Spuler|1975|p=222}} Even now the priests in the temple are the descendants of Kacchiyappar.<ref name=Koti/>

==Festivals==
A popular festival held here is [[Shashthi (day)|Kandha Shashti]] (in November), 6th day of waxing (brightening) half of the lunar month Kārtthigai, named after Murugan, also known as Skandha (Kandhan in Tamil).{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=109-110}} During the month of [[Kartika (month)|Kārtthigai]] (November–December) between the darker (waning) half and the brighter (waxing) half of Moon, celebrations are held in the temple when a very large number of lamps are lit in the temple.{{sfn|Michell|1993|p=30}} The worship in the temple is scheduled six times daily. In every lunar month on the days of the rising star of [[Krittika|Kirutthigai]] (as per [[Hindu Calendar]]) festival is held in the temple when very large number of devotees offer prayers to the deity.<ref name=Koti/> Each temple in Kānchipuram celebrates the Brahmā festival, as ''Brahmotsavam'', when processions of gods are held in the morning and evening hours.{{sfn|Michell|1993|p=36}}

==References==
{{Commons category|Kumarakottam Temple}}
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last= Knapp|first=Stephen Knapp|title=Spiritual India Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djI5mL2qeocC&pg=PT305|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Jaico Publishing House|isbn=978-81-8495-024-3}}
*{{cite book|last= Michell |first=George |title=Temple Towns Of Tamil Nadu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D3XXAAAAMAAJ|date=1 March 1993|publisher=Marg Publications|isbn=978-81-85026-21-3}}
*{{cite book|last= Pillai |first=M. S. Purnalingam |title=A Primer of Tamil Literature|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JwkrAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA107|year=1904|publisher=Ananda Press}}
*{{cite book|last= Rao |first=A. V. Shankaranarayana Rao|title=Temples of Tamilnadu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1IgRAQAAIAAJ|year=2001|publisher=Vasan Publications|isbn=9788184681123}}
*{{cite book|last= Rao |first=P. V. L. Narasimha |title=Kanchipuram: Land of Legends, Saints and Temples|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HJFldI75dRcC&pg=PA91|year=2008|publisher=Readworthy|isbn=978-81-89973-54-4}}
*{{cite book|last= Spuler |first=Bertold |title=Handbook of Oriental Studies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kx4uqyts2t4C&pg=PA222|year=1975|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-04190-5}}

==Nearest Hindu Temple==
*Arulmigu Thirumagaraleeswar Temple, Magaral

[[Category:Hindu temples in Kanchipuram]]
[[Category:Archaeological monuments in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Rebuilt buildings and structures in India]]

{{Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu}}

Kumarakottam Temple - Revision history

Kamal Guha at 01:20, 16 November 2023