There are a few legends associated with the name Kumbakonam, one of the most popular being the legend of the Kumbha (pot) of nectar.
According to Hindu mythology, when the gods and demons were churning the ocean of milk to obtain the nectar of immortality, a pot (Kumbha) of the nectar was spilled at four places – Haridwar, Prayag, Nashik, and Kumbakonam. It is believed that the town of Kumbakonam derives its name from this incident, as it is the place where the pot (Kumbha) of nectar was believed to have been spilled.
Another legend associated with the name Kumbakonam is that the town was named after Lord Brahma’s pot (Kumbha) from which the divine nectar was believed to have been distributed to the people during the town’s annual Mahamaham festival.
These legends are deeply ingrained in the town’s culture and history, and they continue to attract pilgrims and tourists to Kumbakonam every year.
