Kumbakonam

Kumbakonam (formerly spelt as Coombaconum or Combaconum),<ref>Template:Cite EB1911</ref> or Kudanthai, is a city municipal corporation in the Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located Template:Convert from Thanjavur and Template:Convert from Chennai and is the headquarters of the Kumbakonam taluk of Thanjavur district. It is the second largest city in the district after Thanjavur. The city is bounded by two rivers, the Kaveri River to the north and Arasalar River to the south. Kumbakonam is known as a "Temple City" due to the prevalence of a number of temples here and is noted for its Mahamaham festival, which happens once in 12 years, attracting people from all over the country.

Kumbakonam dates back to the Sangam period and was ruled by the Early Cholas, Pallavas, Mutharaiyar dynasty, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagara Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Marathas. It rose to be a prominent town between the seventh and ninth centuries AD, when it served as a capital of the Medieval Cholas. The city reached the zenith of its prosperity during the British Raj when it was a prominent centre of European education and Hindu culture; and it acquired the cultural name, the "Cambridge of South India". In 1866, Kumbakonam was officially constituted as a municipality, which today comprises 48 wards, making it the second largest local civil body in Thanjavur district. It became a municipal corporation on 24 August 2021.

Etymology

The name "Kumbakonam", roughly translated in English as the "Pot's Corner",<ref name="catholicp710">Template:Cite book</ref> is believed to be an allusion to the mythical pot (kumbha) of the Hindu god Brahma that contained the seed of all living beings on earth. The kumbha is believed to have been displaced by a pralaya (dissolution of the universe) and ultimately came to rest at the spot where the town of Kumbakonam now stands. This event is now commemorated in the Mahamaham festival held every 12 years. Kumbakonam is also known as Baskarashetram<ref name="chandrasekharendrap73">Template:Cite book</ref> and Kumbam<ref name="history_thehindu">Template:Cite news</ref> from time immemorial and as Kudanthai in ancient times.<ref name="indianadvertisingp169">Template:Cite book</ref> Kumbakonam is also spelt as Coombaconum in the records of British India.<ref name="sottovocep146">Template:Cite book</ref> Kumbakonam was also formerly known by the Tamil name of Kudamukku.<ref name="southindianshrinesp320">Ayyar 1920, p. 320</ref> Kumbakonam is also identified with the Sangam age settlement of Kudavayil.<ref name="ancienttamilsp88">Template:Cite book</ref>

History

old map of a town

A 1955 map of Kumbakonam municipality and surrounding areas

A granite sculpture on the walls of a temple

Sculpture on the walls of Nageswaran Temple

The region around Kumbakonam was inhabited as early as the Sangam Age (third century BC to third century AD). The present-day Kumbakonam is believed to be the site of the ancient town of Kudavayil where the Early Chola king Karikala held his court.<ref name="ancienttamilsp88" /> Some scholars identify Kumbakonam as the site of the fabled prison of Kudavayir-kottam where the Chera king Kanaikkal Irumporai was imprisoned by the Early Chola king Kocengannan.<ref name="cholasp72">Sastri 1935, p. 72</ref> Kumbakonam is identified with the town of Malaikūrram<ref name="imperialgazetteerp20">Hunter 1908, Vol 16, p. 20</ref> which had served as the Chola capital as early as the seventh century and with the town of Solamaligai which had also served as a Chola capital.<ref name="southindianshrinesp320" /> According to the Sinnamanur plates, Kumbakonam was the site of a battle between the Pallava king Sri Vallabha and the then Pandya king in 859<ref name="cholasp105">Sastri 1935, p. 105</ref><ref name="saivaartp10">Template:Cite book</ref> and between the Pandya king Srimara Pandya and a confederacy of the Cholas and Gangas.<ref name="southindianshrinesp320" />

Kumbakonam came into the limelight during the rule of the Medieval Cholas who ruled from the ninth century to the twelfth century. The town of Pazhaiyaarai, Template:Convert from Kumbakonam was the capital of the Chola Empire in the ninth century.<ref name="houseofgodp178">Template:Cite book</ref>

Following the decline of the Chola kingdom, Kumbakonam was conquered by the Pandyas in 1290.<ref name="interdictp502">Ring 1996, p. 502</ref> Following the demise of the Pandya kingdom in the 14th century, Kumbakonam was conquered by the Vijayanagar Empire.<ref name="interdictp502" /> Krishnadevaraya (1509–29), the emperor of Vijayanagara visited the town in 1524 and is believed to have bathed in the famous Mahamaham tank during the Mahamaham festival.<ref name="interdictp502" /> Kumbakonam was ruled by the Madurai Nayaks and the Thanjavur Nayaks from 1535 to 1673 when it fell to the Marathas.<ref name="interdictp503">Ring 1996, p. 503</ref> Each of these dynasties had a considerable impact on the demographics and culture of the region.<ref name="goughp30">Gough 1981, p. 30</ref><ref name="nayaksp7">V. 1942, p. 7</ref><ref name="metralcraftsmen">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="dvaitap476">Sarma 2000, p. 476</ref><ref name="salemcityp52">Template:Cite book</ref> When the Vijayanagar Empire fell in 1565, there was a mass influx of poets, musicians and cultural artists from the kingdom.<ref name="salemcityp52" /><ref name="nayaksp1">V. 1942, p. 1</ref>

a memorial with sculpture of children and parents

Kumbakonam school fire accident memorial

According to the chronicles of the Hindu monastic institution, the Kanchi matha, the matha was temporarily transferred to Kumbakonam in the 1780s following an invasion of Kanchipuram by Hyder Ali of Mysore.<ref name="history_thehindu" /><ref name="southindianshrinesp325">Ayyar 1920, p. 325</ref><ref name="southindianshrinesp326">Ayyar 1920, p. 326</ref><ref name="kanchi">Template:Cite web</ref> When Tipu Sultan invaded the east coast of South India in 1784, Kumbakonam bore the brunt of his invasion.<ref name="interdictp503" /><ref name="marathatanjorep62">Template:Cite book</ref> The produce fell sharply and the economy collapsed.<ref name="interdictp503" /><ref name="marathatanjorep62" /> Kumbakonam did not recover from the calamity until the beginning of the 19th century.<ref name="marathatanjorep62" /> Kumbakonam was eventually ceded to the British East India Company in 1799 by the Thanjavur Maratha ruler Serfoji II (1777–1832)<ref name="interdictp503" /> and reached the zenith of its prosperity in the late 19th and early 20th century<ref name="tnuifslp4">TNUIFSL Report 2007, p. 4</ref> when it emerged as an important center of Brahminism,<ref name="goughp28">Gough 1981, p. 28</ref> Hindu religion and European education in the Madras Presidency.<ref name="interdictp503" /> The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 fostered trade contacts with the United Kingdom.<ref name="interdictp503" /> In 1877, railway lines were completed linking Kumbakonam with the ports of Madras, Tuticorin and Nagapattinam.<ref name="interdictp503" /> The Tanjore district court was established in Kumbakonam in 1806 and functioned from 1806 to 1863.<ref name="imperialgazetteerp21">Hunter, p. 21</ref>

Kumbakonam continued to grow even after India's independence though it fell behind the nearby town of Thanjavur in terms of population and administrative importance.<ref name="urbansociologyp193"> Template:Cite book</ref> The population growth rate began to fall sharply after 1981.<ref name="tnuifslp4" /> This decline has been attributed to limited land area and lack of industrial potential.<ref name="tnuifslp4" /> However the peripheral areas of Kumbakonam population increased as evident from the successive census data. During the Mahamaham festival of 1992, there was a major stampede in which 48 people were killed and 74 were injured.<ref name="telegraph" /><ref name="B.K.">Template:Cite book</ref> On 16 July 2004, a devastating fire accident in the Sri Krishna school killed 94 children.<ref name="rediff_schoolfire">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="schoolfire_thehindu">Template:Cite news</ref>

Geography

a river with a small brick structure in the middle

River Kaveri as viewed from bridge

Kumbakonam is located at Template:Coord.<ref name="astrop508">Template:Cite book</ref> It is situated Template:Convert south of Chennai,<ref name="educationworld">Template:Cite book</ref> Template:Convert east of Tiruchirappalli, about Template:Convert north-east of Thanjavur.<ref name="indianplacenames">Template:Cite book</ref>, and about 35 km (22 mi) south-west of Mayiladuthurai. It lies in the region called the "Old delta" which comprises the north-western taluks of Thanjavur district that have been naturally irrigated by the waters of the Cauvery and its tributaries for centuries in contrast to the "New Delta" comprising the southern taluks that were brought under irrigation by the construction of the Grand Anicut canal and the Vadavar canal in 1934.<ref name="goughp5">Gough 1981, p. 5</ref><ref name="womenworkersp139">Template:Cite book</ref> It has an average elevation of 26 metres (85 ft).<ref name="sindianrailwayp217">Template:Cite book</ref> The town is bounded by two rivers, the Cauvery River on the north and Arasalar River on the south.<ref name="southindianshrinesp320" />

Although the Cauvery delta is usually hot, the climate of Kumbakonam and other surrounding towns is generally healthy<ref name="bayofbengalpilotp11">Template:Cite book</ref> and moderate.<ref name="industrialdevelopmentp481">Template:Cite book</ref> Kumbakonam is cooler than Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu.<ref name="censusp45">Template:Cite book</ref> The maximum temperature in summer is about Template:Convert while the minimum temperature is about Template:Convert.<ref name="hydrologyp776">Template:Cite book</ref> Kumbakonam receives an annual rainfall of Template:Convert every year.<ref name="powerp7025">Template:Cite book</ref> The region is covered with mainly alluvial or black soil which is conducive for rice cultivation.<ref name="goughp5" /> Other crops grown in Kumbakonam include mulberry, cereals and sugarcane.<ref name="southindiap141">W. 1988, p. 141</ref><ref name="classp17">Template:Cite book</ref>

The town of Kumbakonam is surrounded by extensive paddy fields. Methods of irrigation were considerably improved following the opening of the Mettur Dam in 1934.<ref name="interdictp503" /><ref name="goughp5" /> The fauna of the Cauvery Delta is limited to cattle and goats.<ref name="southindiap141" /> The town is situated at the western flank of the Kumbakonam-Shiyali ridge which runs along the Kollidam river<ref name="journalp31">Micropalaeontology 1972, p. 31</ref> basin separating the Ariyalur-Puducherry depression from the Nagapattinam depression.<ref name="journalp34">Micropalaeontology 1972, p. 34</ref><ref name="mineralexplorationp253">Template:Cite book</ref> This granular ridge projects further eastwards penetrating the Puducherry depression and forms a hard layer of cretaceous rock underneath the sedimentary topsoil.<ref name="mineralexplorationp253" /><ref name="geologicalsocietyp269">Template:Cite book</ref>

Demographics

Template:Bar box Template:Historical populations According to 2011 census, Kumbakonam had a population of 140,156 with a sex-ratio of 1,021 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.<ref name="dashboard">Template:Cite web</ref> A total of 12,791 were under the age of six, constituting 6,495 males and 6,296 females. The average literacy of the town was 83.21%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.<ref name="dashboard"/> There were a total of 9,519 workers, comprising 32 cultivators, 83 main agricultural labourers, 1,206 in household industries, 7,169 other workers, 1,029 marginal workers, 24 marginal cultivators, 45 marginal agricultural labourers, 212 marginal workers in household industries and 0 other marginal workers.<ref name=2011census>Template:Cite web</ref>

Kumbakonam has a strong Hindu majority, but it also has sizeable Muslim and Christian populations.<ref name="goughp33" /> Among Hindus, Vanniyars, Kallars,<ref name="goughp30" /><ref name="goughp31">Gough 1981, p. 31</ref> Brahmins<ref name="goughp19">Gough 1981, p. 19</ref><ref name="goughp27">Gough 1981, p. 27</ref> and Dalits<ref name="goughp33">Gough 1981, p. 33</ref><ref name="goughp32">Gough 1981, p. 32</ref> are the numerically dominant Tamil-speaking groups.<ref name="goughp19" /> Brahmins are more numerous and affluent in Kumbakonam than in other parts of Tamil Nadu.<ref name="goughp28" /><ref name="goughp27" /><ref name="goughp103">Gough 1981, p. 103</ref> There are also large populations of Moopanars,<ref name="goughp30" /> Konars<ref name="goughp31" /> and Nadars.<ref name="goughp31" /> Amongst Muslims, the Tamil Muslims are dominant. Most of the Muslims are Rowthers.<ref name="goughp33" /> The majority of Muslims in Kumbakonam are involved in commerce or maritime trade.<ref name="morep40">Template:Cite book</ref> Kumbakonam also has a large population of Protestant Christians largely due to the efforts of the German missionary Christian Friedrich Schwarz.<ref name="goughp33" /> The Catholics in Kumbakonam are mainly affiliated to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kumbakonam which was separated from the Archdiocese of Pondicherry in 1899.<ref name="stthomasp261">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="catholicencyclopaediap229">Template:Cite book</ref>

The population of Kumbakonam is predominantly Tamil-speaking. The commonly used dialects is the Central Tamil dialect.<ref name="languagesp730">Template:Cite book</ref> There are significant minorities speaking Thanjavur Marathi,<ref name="dvaitap544">Sarma, p. 544</ref> Saurashtra and other regional languages as their mother tongue.<ref name="goughp30" /><ref name="goughp29">Gough 1981, p. 29</ref><ref name="1971censusp89">Template:Cite book</ref>

Residential areas make up 32.09% of the town's total area while commercial enterprises and industrial units make up 2.75% and 1.21%, respectively.<ref name="tnuifslp7">TNUIFSL Report 2007, p. 7</ref> The non-urban portion of the town constitutes about 44.72% of the total area.<ref name="tnuifslp7" /> Kumbakonam has a total of 45 slums with a population of 49,117.<ref name="tnuifslp14">TNUIFSL Report 2007, p. 14</ref>

As per the religious census of 2011, Kumbakonam had 86.07% Hindus, 9.57% Muslims, 3.99% Christians, 0.% Sikhs, 0.% Buddhists, 0.23% Jains, 0.13% following other religions and 0.% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.<ref name=religion2011>Template:Cite web</ref>

Administration and Politics

Municipal Corporation

Municipality corporation officials
Mayor	K.Saravanan(Congress) <ref name="chairman">Template:Cite web</ref>
Corporation Commissioner	M.Senthil Murugan<ref name="chair">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="commissioner_history">Template:Cite web</ref>
Deputy Mayor	Tamilazhagan(DMK)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Elected members
Member of Legislative Assembly	G. Anbalagan<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Member of Parliament	R. Sudha <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Kumbakonam municipality was officially constituted in the year 1866.<ref name="interdictp503" /><ref name="munipalityorigin" /> Initially, the municipality exercised its jurisdiction over an area of Template:Cvt and its affairs were administered by a town-level committee or municipal committee.<ref name="munipalityorigin" /> Later it was constituted special-grade municipality<ref name="municipalities">Template:Cite web</ref> and currently, exercises its authority over an area of Template:Convert<ref name="munipalityorigin" /> out of the town's total area of Template:Cvt.<ref name="tnuifslp7" /> It comprises 48 wards<ref name="munipalityorigin" /> and is the biggest municipality in Thanjavur district.<ref name="tnuifslp4" /> The town was upgraded to a Municipal Corporation on 24 August 2021, with an administration authority area of Template:Cvt.<ref name="TOI_MunicipToCorp">Template:Cite news</ref>

The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments: General, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, Town planning and the Computer Wing.<ref name="organizationalchart">Template:Cite web</ref> All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the supreme executive head.<ref name="organizationalchart" /> The legislative powers are vested in a body of 48 members, one each from each of the 48 wards.<ref name="munipalityorigin" /> The legislative body is headed by an elected chairperson who is assisted by a deputy chairperson.<ref name="economicweeklyp2396">Template:Cite book</ref>

Politics

Kumbakonam is a part of the Kumbakonam Legislative Assembly constituency and elects a member to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly once every five years.<ref name="delimitationcommission">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="goughp141">Gough 1981, p. 141</ref> Despite being a hub of militant Communism in the 1950s,<ref name="interdictp503" /> Kumbakonam voted for the Indian National Congress in the first five state elections held between 1952 and 1977.<ref name="goughp141" /><ref name="1952electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1957electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1962electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1967electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1971electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1977electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref> The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam won the elections in 1977<ref name="1977electionresults" /> and between 1977 and 1989, the seat was alternatively held by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or the Indian National Congress.<ref name="1977electionresults" /><ref name="1980electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1984electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref> Since 1989, barring an interregnum of five years between 1991 and 1996,<ref name="1991electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref> the seat has been held by Ko. Si. Mani of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.<ref name="1989electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1996electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2001electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2006electionresults">Template:Cite web</ref> Kumbakonam was a part of the Kumbakonam Lok Sabha constituency from 1952 until 1977, when the constituency was disbanded.<ref name="goughp141" /><ref name="goughp142">Gough 1981, p. 142</ref> The assembly segments in the erstwhile Kumbakonam Lok Sabha constituency were included in the Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha constituency and have remained so ever since.<ref name="delimitationcommission" />

Law Enforcement

Law and order in Kumbakonam in maintained by the Thanjavur subdivision of the Tamil Nadu Police headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).<ref name="Thanjavur police">Template:Cite web</ref> There are four police stations in the town, one of them being an all-women police station.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There are special units like prohibition enforcement, district crime, social justice and human rights, district crime records and special branch that operate at the district level police division headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP).<ref name="Thanjavur police" /> Suburban localities are under the jurisdiction of Swamimalai, Patteswarm, Nachiyarkovil, Tiruvidamarudhur, Thiruneelakudi police stations. Recently, the government has established one police station at Cholapuram by reorganizing Kumbakonam Taluk, Swamimalai and Thirupanandal Police station.

Economy

File:A man dyeing silk red in boiling water in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.jpg

A man dyeing silk red in boiling water in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu

File:A silk saree loom in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.jpg

A silk saree loom in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu

The important products of Kumbakonam include brass, bronze, copper and pewter vessels, silk and cotton cloths, sugar, indigo and pottery.<ref name="imperialgazetteerp21" /> Kumbakonam is considered to be the chief commercial centre for the Thanjavur region. In 1991, around 30% of the population was engaged in economic activity.<ref name="tnuifslp5">TNUIFSL Report 2007, p. 5</ref> Rice production is an important activity in Kumbakonam.<ref name="tnuifslp5" /> Of 194 industrial units in Kumbakonam, 57 are rice and flour mills.<ref name="tnuifslp5" /> Kumbakonam is also a leading producer of betel leaves and nuts; the betel leaves produced in Kumbakonam are ranked amongst the best in the world in terms of quality.<ref name="tnuifslp5" /> The A. R. R. Agencies, a leading manufacturer of arecanut slices has its factory in Kumbakonam.<ref name="arrp445">Template:Cite book</ref> The main administrative offices of T. S. R. & Co., a cosmetic company, are also based in Kumbakonam.<ref name="indianpressp218">Template:Cite book</ref> Kumbakonam is also famous for its metal works.<ref name="tnuifslp5" /> The Tamil Nadu Handicraft Development Corporation had been established in the nearby town of Swamimalai in order to train bronze artisans.<ref name="tnuifslp5" /> Kumbakonam is an important silk-weaving centre and more than 5,000 families were employed either directly or indirectly in silk weaving.<ref name="tnuifslp5" /> Silk weaved in Kumbakonam is regarded as one of the finest in the subcontinent.<ref name="britannicap45">Template:Cite book</ref> They are largely used in the manufacture of Thirubuvanam silk sarees.<ref name="tnuifslp5" /> Kumbakonam was also an important salt-manufacturing area during British rule.<ref name="cataloguep866">Template:Cite book</ref> The town lends its name to the Kumbakonam Degree Coffee, a blend of coffee prepared using undiluted pure milk.<ref name="thehindu_20121027">Template:Cite news</ref> In recent times, Kumbakonam has emerged as an important manufacturer of fertilizers.<ref name="interdictp503" />

Apart from manufacturing, tourism is also a major source of income for the town. Many lodges and resorts from budget to high-end categories are functioning in Kumbakonam. The Hindu temples<ref name="reviewp20">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="tnuifslp6">TNUIFSL Report 2007, p. 6</ref> and colonial-era buildings have been recognised for their tourism potential.<ref name="tourismp270">Template:Cite book</ref> The 12th-century Airavatesvara Temple in the town of Darasuram near Kumbakonam is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.<ref name="unesco">Template:Cite web</ref> Kumbakonam is also frequented by art collectors interested in handloom cloth and other curios.<ref name="speakingstonesp194">Template:Cite book</ref> Banks such as the Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres">Template:Cite web</ref> IDBI Bank, State Bank of India,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> Tamilnad Mercantile Bank,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> Canara Bank,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> Indian Bank,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> Indian Overseas Bank,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> Bank of India,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> Union Bank of India,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> Corporation Bank,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> Lakshmi Vilas Bank,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> ICICI Bank,<ref name="icicibank">Template:Cite web</ref> ING Vysya Bank,<ref name="ingvysya">Template:Cite web</ref> Karur Vysya Bank,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> Punjab National Bank,<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> Syndicate Bank<ref name="kumbakonam_atmcentres" /> and Vijaya Bank have their branches in Kumbakonam. The City Union Bank was founded in Kumbakonam in 1904 as the Kumbakonam Bank Limited and it is headquartered in the town.<ref name="sunejap380">Template:Cite book</ref> Template:Clear left

Utility services

Electricity supply to Kumbakonam is regulated and distributed by the Kumbakonam circle of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). Power Substations are existing viz. Kumabakonam Urban 33/11 kV SS at Rajan Thottam, Kumbakonam Township (Nagariyam) 110 kV at Needamangalm Road, 110 kV SS at Sakottai and Patteswaram 230/110 kV. Water supply is provided by the Kumbakonam municipality from Cauvery river and Coleroon river; the distribution is managed through head works located at Valayapettai and Kudithangi, supplying Template:Convert of water to the town.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> About Template:Convert of solid waste is collected from the town everyday; 53% domestic wastes and 32% commercial wastes.<ref name="waste">Template:Cite web</ref> The collected wastes are dumped in yards outside the town and segregated to produce organic manure.<ref name="waste" /> Kumbakonam municipality has partial underground drainage connectivity and the municipality is implementing the underground drainage to the uncovered areas.<ref name="drainage">Template:Cite web</ref> The major sewerage system for disposal of sullage is through septic tanks and public conveniences.<ref name="drainage" /> Roadside drains carry untreated sewage out of the town to let out raw into the sea or accumulate in a low-lying area.<ref name="drainage" />

Kumbakonam comes under the Cauvery River Delta Area (CRDA) of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India's state-owned telecom and internet services provider.<ref name="BSNL">Template:Cite web</ref> Apart from telecom, BSNL also provides broadband internet service.<ref name="BSNL" /> Kumbakonam hosts the district headquarters hospital, Thanjavur District at Kumbakonam and Coronation Municipal Hospital, Melakaveri Urban Primary Health Centre, 34 private hospitals & clinics and numerous medical shops catering to the healthcare need of the town.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Landmarks

Temples

File:Mahamaham Tank.jpg

Mahamaham tank – one of the most prominent landmarks of the town

Kumbakonam is known for its temples and mathas (monasteries). There are around 188 Hindu temples within the municipal limits of Kumbakonam.<ref name="tnuifslp4" /> Apart from these, there several thousand temples around the town thereby giving the town the sobriquets "Temple Town" and "City of temples".<ref name="brihadiswarap2">Template:Cite book</ref>

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is considered to be the oldest Shaiva (the sect of the god Shiva) shrine in the town, believed to be constructed by the Cholas in the seventh century.<ref name="templesofsouthindiap57">Anantharaman 2006, p. 57</ref> The Nageswaraswamy Temple has a separate shrine for the Sun god Surya who is believed to have worshipped Shiva at this place.<ref name="southindianshrinesp323">Ayyar 1920, p. 323</ref> Adi Kumbeswarar temple, Nageswaraswamy temple and Kasi Viswanathar temple are Shiva temples in the town revered in the Tevaram, a Tamil Shaiva canonical work of the seventh to the eighth century.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Kumbakonam has one of the few temples dedicated to the god Brahma.<ref name="southindiap137">W. 1988, p. 137</ref>

Sarangapani temple is the largest Vaishnava (the sect of the god Vishnu) shrine present in Kumbakonam. The present structure of the temple having a twelve-storey high tower was constructed by Nayak kings in the 15th century. It is one of the "Divya Desams", the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 Alvar saint-poets.<ref>Ayyar 1920, p. 534</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Ramaswamy temple, which has scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana depicted on its walls, was constructed by Govinda Dikshitar, the minister of successive Nayak rulers, Achuthappa Nayak (1560–1614) and Raghunatha Nayak (1600–34).<ref name="southindianshrinesp324">Ayyar 1920, p. 324</ref><ref name="govindadikshitar">Template:Cite news</ref> He added a commercial corridor between the temple and the older Chakrapani temple, which in modern times is called Chinna Kadai Veethi, a commercial street in the town.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Pilgrims from all parts of India take a holy dip once every 12 years during the Mahamaham festival in the Mahamaham tank.<ref name="tnuifslp4" /><ref name="templesofsouthindiap57" /><ref name="govindadikshitar" /> Over 40 lakh pilgrims participated in the festival during the 2016 event which is also known as the Southern Kumbha mela.<ref name="telegraph">Template:Cite news</ref> Govinda Dikshitar constructed the sixteen mandapams (shrines) and stone steps around this tank.<ref name="govindadikshitar" /><ref>V. 1942, p. 120</ref> Kumbakonam is one of the few places in India that still predominantly follow the Vadakalai tradition, in Vishnu temples in and around Kumbakonam.<ref>{{Cite http://www.sarangapanitemple.org/Temple%20History.html}}</ref>

Kumbakonam also has a number of mathas. The Sri Sankara matha of Kanchipuram was moved to Kumbakonam during the reign of Pratap Singh<ref name="southindianshrinesp325" /> (1739–63) and remained in Kumbakonam until the 1960s. There are also two Vellalar mathas in the nearby towns of Dharmapuram and Thiruppanandal<ref name="goughp42">Gough 1981, p. 42</ref> and a Raghavendra matha in Kumbakonam.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> There is also a branch of the Vaishnava Ahobila mutt in Kumbakonam, who administers Thirupulamboothangudi and Aadanur ,having influence in Thirunaraiyur, Thirukudanthai, and Thiruvinnagar.<ref name="castesandtribesp349">Template:Cite book</ref>

The Thenupuriswarar Temple at Patteeswaram, the Oppiliappan Kovil and the Swamimalai Murugan temple are located in the vicinity of Kumbakonam.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram locality of Kumbakonam built by Rajaraja Chola II (1146–73) during 12th century is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram that are collectively referred as the Great Living Chola Temples.<ref name="unesco"/>

Transport

railway line inside a station

Kumbakonam railway station (southern side)

Kumbakonam is connected by road and rail. The National highway NH-36 connects Vikravandi - Manamadurai, passes through this town. The nearest international airport is at Tiruchirapalli, which is Template:Convert from Kumbakonam.<ref name="templesofsouthindiap56">Anantharaman 2006, p. 56</ref> The nearest seaport is located at Nagapattinam which is about Template:Convert away. The town has around Template:Convert of roads, 544 municipal roads<ref name="munipalityorigin">Template:Cite web</ref> making up Template:Convert.<ref name="tnuifslp13">TNUIFSL Report 2007, p. 13</ref> There are also around Template:Convert of state highways running through Kumbakonam.<ref name="tnuifslp13" /> Over 87% of the municipal roads are paved.<ref name="tnuifslp13" /> There are regular government and private bus services to Chennai, Thanjavur, Mannargudi, Tiruchirapalli, Chidambaram, Thiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Palani, Thoothukudi, Rameswaram, Tiruchendur, Salem, Edapaddi, Vellore, Kumuli, Cumbum, Karaikudi, Pudukkottai, Neyveli, Madurai, Sivagangai, Thiruthuraipoondi, Pattukkottai, Muthupet, Puducherry, and Tirunelveli.<ref name="munipalityorigin" /> The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and State Express Transport Corporation (Tamil Nadu)(SETC) operates daily services from Bengaluru and mysuru to Kumbakonam.<ref name="ksrtc">Template:Cite web</ref> On 1 March 1972, the Cholan Roadways Corporation was established by the Government of Tamil Nadu<ref name="cholanroadways">Template:Cite web</ref> with its headquarters in Kumbakonam in order to improve transportation facilities in the districts of central Tamil Nadu.<ref name="tnstc_manual">Template:Cite web</ref> The organisation acquired the fleets of buses earlier owned by private operators – Sri Ramavilas Service, Raman and Raman Limited and Sathi Vilas.<ref name="cholanroadways" /> On 1 July 1997, the organization was renamed Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Kumbakonam and presently forms division no. 1 of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation.<ref name="cholanroadways" /><ref name="tnstc_manual" /> The corporation runs a reconditioning unit and a tyre re-threading unit in Kumbakonam.<ref name="tnstc_manual" />

Kumbakonam is connected by rail with towns and cities in South India. The Mysore–Mayiladuthurai Express connects Kumbakonam with Mysuru and Bengaluru. There are regular express trains that connect Kumbakonam with major cities in the state like Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchirapalli.<ref name="KMUtrain"/> There are passenger trains that connect Kumbakonam with Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli, Chidambaram and Mayiladuthurai.<ref name="KMUtrain">Template:Cite web</ref> The upgrading of NH 36 from two-lane to four-line is under progress, which upon completion will greatly reduce to time of travel to Thanjavur and Chennai.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The traditional modes of transportation are bullock carts. It is recorded that as late as the 1950s, landlords and rich farmers travelled mostly by bullock carts except for rare long journeys which they undertook by buses or motor vehicles.<ref name="goughp6">Gough 1981, p. 6</ref> Kumbakonam has an efficient local bus transportation system. The town bus stand is located just opposite the Arignar Anna Bus Stand where the long-distance buses are stationed. There are occasional ferries that transport people and goods across the Cauvery.<ref name="watertransportp94">Template:Cite book</ref> Till the beginning of the 20th century, students of the Government Arts College used to cross the Cauvery on coracle ferries to attend college.<ref name="watertransportp94" /> Since the construction of a bridge in 1944,<ref name="calendarp5">Template:Cite book</ref> the practice of transporting men and goods by coracles has greatly diminished.<ref name="watertransportp94" />

Education

campus of a college with shaded trees

Government Arts College, Kumbakonam

The Raja Veda Padasala, established by Govinda Dikshitar during 1542 in Kumbakonam, teaches Sanskrit vedic scriptures in specialised fields of Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Agamas and Sastras.<ref name="govindadikshitar" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Kumbakonam emerged as an important centre of education in the late 19th century and was known as the "Cambridge of South India".<ref name="sindianrailwayp217" /> The Government Arts College, established in Kumbakonam in 1867, is one of the oldest educational institutions in the Madras Presidency.<ref name="hopkinsp260">Template:Cite book</ref> It began as a provincial school on 19 October 1854, before being upgraded to a government college in 1867.<ref name="hopkinsp260" /><ref name="calendarp157">Template:Cite book</ref> It was affiliated to the Madras University in 1877.<ref name="imperialgazetteerp21" /> One of the early principals of the college was William Archer Porter, a Cambridge Wrangler, who, along with T. Gopala Rao, was instrumental in its elevation to a government college.<ref name="hopkinsp260" /> He is also credited with framing the college's acclaimed educational policy.<ref name="hopkinsp261">Template:Cite book</ref> In 1881, it became a full-fledged college and high school courses ceased to be taught.<ref name="hopkinsp261" /> Notable faculty members included U. V. Swaminatha Iyer (1855–1942)<ref name="coffeep91">Template:Cite book</ref> while the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920) who studied from 1904 until 1906 when he dropped out and V. S. Srinivasa Sastri (1869–1946), an Indian politician and administrator, are its notable alumni.<ref name="hopkinsp260" /> The Government Arts College for Women was started in 1963<ref name="univhandbookp161">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="commonwealthunivp1117">Template:Cite book</ref> and had a total strength of 2,597 pupils in February 2006.<ref name="naacindia">Template:Cite web</ref> The college offers various undergraduate courses and one post-graduate course and is affiliated to the Bharathidasan University.<ref name="naacindia" /> Other colleges in Kumbakonam include Idhya Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Annai College of Arts and Science, Annai Engineering College, Mass College, Sankara Arts college, PRIST University Kumbakonam Campus, Government College Of Fine Arts and Arasu Engineering College, KSK Engineering college, As Slam Engineering college at nearby Thirumanglakudi.<ref name="colleges_tngov">Template:Cite web</ref> The Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy has a satellite campus based in Kumbakonam where disciplines of Engineering(electronics and communication Engineering & computer science Engineering), arts and sciences are taught.<ref name="colleges_tngov" />

The Native High School, founded in 1876,<ref name="indianreviewp210">Template:Cite book</ref> and the Town Higher Secondary School, one of whose students was Srinivasa Ramanujan, were some of the oldest schools in the Madras Presidency.<ref name="jubilessp222">Template:Cite book</ref> At present, there a total of 36 government and private schools in Kumbakonam.<ref name="colleges_tngov"/>

Notable people

• U. V. Swaminatha Iyer (1855–1942) Tamil scholar
• Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920), mathematician
• Valangaiman Sankaranarayana Srinivasa Sastri (1869–1946), politician
• Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (1925–2023) geneticist and plant breeder,

References

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Further reading

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External links

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