Places to Visit in & near Kumbakonam

What to see near Kumbakonam

Temples, heritage monuments and nature spots in and around Kumbakonam. Distances are approximate, measured from the centre of Kumbakonam.

2UNESCO temples nearby

19places listed

All Navagraha Kumbakonam Temple Heritage

In & around Kumbakonam

Heritage Lower Anaicut (Anaikarai) Historic dam and bridge on the Kollidam river, built partly with stones from Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

Day trips from Kumbakonam

★ UNESCO World Heritage Temple Brihadisvara Temple (Big Temple), Thanjavur The Thanjavur Big Temple built by Rajaraja Chola I — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 📍 ≈ 34 km from Kumbakonam

🛕 Kumbakonam — the temple town (≈45 km)

Kumbakonam on the Kaveri is packed with great temples within a few kilometres of each other — Shiva, Vishnu and Murugan shrines, the Mahamaham tank, and the UNESCO temple at Darasuram. Also famous for its filter coffee and brass and bronze crafts.

★ UNESCO World Heritage Temple Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram UNESCO World Heritage Chola temple built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century. 📍 ≈ 3 km from Kumbakonam

Temple Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam Kumbakonam’s main Shiva temple — a Paadal Petra Sthalam with four gopurams. 📍 ≈ 1 km from Kumbakonam

Temple Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam Divya Desam of Vishnu on the Kaveri — one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams.

Temple Mahamaham Tank, Kumbakonam Huge sacred tank — scene of the Mahamaham festival held once every 12 years.

Temple Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam Counted as the earliest of all Chola temples — a Paadal Petra Sthalam. 📍 ≈ 1 km from Kumbakonam

Temple Ramaswamy Temple, Kumbakonam Nayak-era Rama temple known for its sculptures and Ramayana murals. 📍 ≈ 1 km from Kumbakonam

Temple Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam Vishnu as the discus (Chakra), with a third eye like Shiva.

Temple Swamimalai Swaminatha Swamy Temple Fourth of the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan. 📍 ≈ 6 km from Kumbakonam

Temple Oppiliappan Temple, Thirunageswaram The 60th Divya Desam, next to the Rahu temple at Thirunageswaram. 📍 ≈ 5 km from Kumbakonam

Temple Patteeswaram Thenupuriswarar Temple Paadal Petra Sthalam where Nandi moved aside for Sambandar; known for its Durga shrine. 📍 ≈ 6 km from Kumbakonam

🪐 Navagraha temples (nine planets)

Nine temples around Kumbakonam, each dedicated to one of the nine planetary deities. Many families visit all nine in one or two days, usually starting with the Sun at Suryanar Kovil.