Veda Narayana Perumal (Brahma koil), Kumbakonam, Thanjavur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Veda Narayana Perumal	Ambal / Thayar:	Sridevi, Bhoodevi
Deity:	Perumal	Historical name:
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):	500-1000
Timing:	8 to 11.30 & 5.30 to 9	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Kumbakonam	District:	Thanjavur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Kumbakonam (2 km)	Thanjavur (40 km)
	Thanjavur (40 km)	Thiruvarur (42 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

Popularly known as the Brahma temple, this temple is located less than a kilometer from the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam. While Brahma is one of the deities, the presiding deity here is Veda Narayana Perumal.

Brahma was proud of his powers of creation, to the point of believing that only he, and not even Vishnu, could create Siva. Vishnu and Siva found this attitude of Brahma, perturbing. So Vishnu created a demon and sent it to Brahma, who was terrified, and ran to Vishnu. He was told that the demon was to put Brahma in his place, and that he would lose his power of creation. Brahma regretted his behaviour, and pleaded for mercy. Taking pity on him, Vishnu told him to go to Bhulokam and perform penance.

Since Kumbakonam was the point of creation, Brahma came here for his penance, in which he was assisted by Devas and rishis. Pleased with the penance, Vishnu and Lakshmi appeared in front of Brahma, blessed him, and reinstated the memory of the Vedas and power of creation. Therefore, Vishnu here is worshipped as Veda Narayana Perumal.

Brahma then performed a large yagam, for which running water was needed in large quantities. So Vishnu, using his mace, created a river, which was named Hari Sollaaru (as it came from the word of Hari / Vishnu). Over time, this has corrupted into Arasilar, which runs very close to this temple on the south.

The temple has a separate shrine for Brahma, with his consorts Saraswati and Gayatri. There is a separate shrine for Yoga Narasimhar opposite the Brahma shrine.