Someswarar Temple

According to Hindu mythology, at the end of each Yuga, a catastrophic flood known as Maha Pralayam occurs, engulfing the world due to the wrath of Lord Shiva over humanity's sins. In preparation for the next cycle of creation, Lord Brahma gathered all the seeds of creation, along with the four Vedas and Puranas, and placed them in a clay pot filled with amrita (the elixir of immortality). He covered the pot with coconut and mango leaves and tied a sacred thread around its neck, placing it atop Mount Meru in the Himalayas.

When Maha Pralayam commenced, it annihilated all living creatures on Earth, and the Amutha Kalasa became dislodged, floating on the seas for years. Once the flood receded, the Kalasa settled in Kumbakonam. Lord Shiva, in the form of a hunter (Kirata Murthy), shot an arrow to split the pot open, allowing life on Earth to flourish once more. It is believed that when Lord Shiva opened the pot, its fragments scattered across the Earth, transforming into Shiva Lingas, leading to the establishment of various temples. The temples associated with this legend include:

1. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple: Believed to be where the Amrutha Kalasa remained. Here, Lord Kirata Murthy created a Shiva Lingam from the pot's broken pieces by mixing nectar and sand, worshipping it and residing there. The Shivling resembles the neck of a pot (Kudamukku in Tamil).
2. Someswarar Temple: Located where the string (Uri/Sikkam) of the Amrutha Kalasa fell, taking the form of a Linga, thus known as Sikkeshwarar.
3. Nageswarar Temple: The site where the Vilva leaves tied to the Kalasa fell.
4. Abhimukeswarar Temple: Where the coconut from the Kalasa landed.
5. Gautham Eswarar Temple: The location where the sacred thread of the Kalasa fell.
6. Koneswarar Temple, Kudavasal: Where the rim of the Kalasa fell.
7. Sakkottai Amrutha Kalasa Nathar Temple: Believed to be where the mid-portion of the Kalasa landed. This place is known as Kalayanallur.
8. Brahmapureeswarar Temple: The site where Lord Shiva broke the Kalasa with his arrow.
9. Aadhi Kambata Viswanathar Temple: Where the flowers from the Kalasa fell.
10. Kalahasteeswara Temple: The location where the sandalwood (Chandan) from the Kalasa fell.
11. Ekambareswarar Temple: Where the remaining items from the Kalasa landed.
12. Kottaiyur Kodeeswaran Temple: Where some drops of nectar fell.

According to legend, the Nava Kannikas (representing the nine holy rivers) visited Kumbakonam to bathe in the Mahamaham Tank to cleanse themselves of the sins incurred by humans. When they arrived, chaos ensued, causing Mother Parvathy to embrace Lord Shiva in fear. This event gave rise to the name Kaya Arohanam (where "Kaya" means body and "Arohanam" means embraced), leading to Lord Shiva being referred to as Kayarohanam. Over time, this name evolved into Karonam.

In another legend, Chandran (the moon) was cursed by Brihaspati and came to Kumbakonam to worship Lord Sikkeshwarar. He excavated a tank for his worship, which became known as Chandra Pushkarini, although it no longer exists. As Chandran is also called Soma, the place came to be known as Somesam, with the deity referred to as Someswarar.

According to tradition, Guru (Planet Jupiter) worshipped Lord Someswarar, leading to Lord Shiva being called Vyazha Someswarar (Guru Sikkeshwarar).

It is believed that Chola King Parantaka installed a Shiva Linga in this temple, worshipping it for a boon of progeny. This Linga became known as Chozheeswarar.

Legend has it that Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here for a year to obtain a boon to defeat demons. Because Vishnu (Mal) worshipped Lord Shiva at this location, the deity became known as Maleesar (Mal meaning Lord Vishnu).

A popular saying in Sanskrit states that Kumbakonam is more sacred than Varanasi (Kasi). While sins committed at other locations can be washed away by visiting nearby holy sites, sins committed in Varanasi can only be absolved by pilgrimage to Kumbakonam. Additionally, any sinful act done in Kumbakonam is believed to be absolved there itself.