Abimukeswarar Temple is a Shiva temple on the eastern bank of the Mahamaham tank. Shiva is worshipped here as Abimukeswarar, with his consort Parvati as Amirthavalli. The temple's sacred tree is the gooseberry. In its Navagraha shrine, the image of Shani (Saturn) is taller than those of the other eight planets.
Tradition
According to tradition, when the nine river goddesses came to the tank, Shiva turned to face them and give them his blessing. This is said to be the origin of the name Abimukeswarar.
Mahamaham
It is one of the 12 Shiva temples connected with the Mahamaham festival, held at the Mahamaham tank about once every 12 years. The temple's consecration ceremony (Mahasamprokshanam) was last held in October 2015.
Festivals at this temple
Dates are calculated from the Tamil calendar for Kumbakonam and can differ by a day from the temple’s own announcement. Always check with the temple before you travel.
February 21, 2027
Calculated dateMasi Magam theerthavari மாசி மகம் தீர்த்தவாரி
Theerthavari at the Mahamaham tank
Sources
Last reviewed October 5, 2026