The Brahma Temple in Kumbakonam is dedicated to Vishnu, worshipped here as Vedanarayana Perumal, with his consort Lakshmi as Vedavalli. It is known locally as the Brahma Temple because of its separate shrine to Brahma, the creator god, which is rare in India.
What to see
The temple has three shrines side by side: one for Vedanarayana Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi, one for Brahma, flanked by Saraswati and Gayatri, and one for Yoga Narasimha with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Vedavalli has a shrine of her own. Temples to Brahma are very few; the best known elsewhere is at Pushkar in Rajasthan.
Tradition
According to tradition, Brahma came here to worship Vishnu, who gave him the knowledge of the Vedas. This is why Vishnu is worshipped here as Vedanarayana, "Narayana of the Vedas".
Festivals
Vaikunta Ekadasi and Navaratri, when Saraswati Puja is celebrated, are among the temple's main festivals. Special worship is also offered to Brahma, Saraswati and Gayatri.
Sources
- Kumbakonam Brahma Temple (Wikipedia)
- Kumbakonam (Wikipedia)
- Kumbakonam Brahma Temple (Tamil Wikipedia)
- Brahmma Temple (Dinamalar temple guide)
- Sri Vedanarayana Perumal Temple, Kumbakonam (Veludharan Temples Visit)
Last reviewed October 6, 2026