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Pilgrimage objectives play a predominant role in making South India a world-class travel destination. Kumbhakonam, located at the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu is regarded as the temple town of South India. Mahamaham Festival is celebrated after every 12 years witnesses a huge gathering of pilgrimage from all over the world. The town is festooned with numerous large and small size temples. Approximately sixty pilgrimage spot spreaded within 40-km of radius in and around the town of Kumbhakonam. Some of the temples are the construction of several centuries back and distinguished for unique style of Sculptures and architecture.

Major Pilgrimage Attractions of Kumbhakonam

Sri Adikumbeshwara Temple: Located at the heart of Kumbhakonam, Sri Adikumbeshwara Temple is the largest and the oldest Shiva Temple of Tamil Nadu. The temple is structured by Chola King and refurnished by the Nayak King. Lord Kumbeshwara and Goddess Sri Mangalambigai are adored with great respect and enthusiasm. There also remains a shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha; the temple contains some fantastic pieces of statuette and architecture, thus able to garb devotees from all over the state.

Sri Sarangapani Temple: Sri Sarangapani Temple is made about two thousand years before. The temple construction dates back to the Pallava times and even earlier. The main shrine is in the form of a chariot, was built by the later Cholas, in the 12th century. The temple is rich with historical and mythological significance. Today Sri Sarangapani Temple is considered as one of the mostly visited spot of Pilgrimage in Tamil Nadu.

Sri Nageshwara Temple: Sri Nageshwara Temple is the ultimate example of Chola construction and possibly the oldest in Kumbhakonam. It is the abode of Lord Nataraja noted for the quality sculpture. The Nataraja shrine here is also shaped in the figure of a chariot. The shrine devoted to the Sun God has enormous sculptural significance. It is a small temple having marvelous architecture, which exceeds many other Chola temples.

Sri Chakrapani Temple: Sri Chakrapani Temple preserves a legend, according to which the Sun God occupied in a rivalry with the Chakra, which later carried by Lord Vishnu. The Lord is identified as "Chakrapani" and the Goddess is "Vijayavalli Thayar". The temple is frequently visited for its unique structure and historical significance.

Sri Ramaswami Temple: The Ramaswami Temple is built by Raghunatha, the Nayak of Thanjavur, who ruled from 1600 to 1635, a prime pilgrimage center, further renovated and restored to a large extend. The Ramaswami Temple plays an essential role in the Pilgrimage tour to Kumbhakonam and hence considered to be an incredibly holy town as per Hindu religion.