This busy commercial centre, nestled along the Cauvery river, is noted for it's many temples with their colourful semi-erotic sculpture.

According to legend, a kumbh (pitcher) that contained the 'seeds of creation', was brought here by flood waters. Shiva broke the pot, and it's contents spilled and sprouted into linga all over the countryside, which explains the large number of temples and shrines in the area.

Sarangapani temple is the largest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam, while Kumbeshwara temple is the largest Shiva temple. Nageshwara temple, also a Shiva temple, is dedicated to him in the guise of Nagaraja -- the serpent king.