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Kampahareswarar Temple, Tribhuvanam
Shiva · The Last Great Chola Temple · Tamil Nadu
॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
The Kampahareswarar Temple at Tribhuvanam, near Kumbakonam, is the last of the four great Chola temples — the line that begins with the towering Brihadisvara of Thanjavur. Built around 1200 by Kulottunga Chola III, it enshrines Shiva as Kampahareswarar, “the lord who removes trembling and fear,” and crowns the achievement of Chola temple-building in carved granite.
The fourth of the great Chola temples
Four temples stand as the supreme works of Chola architecture: the Brihadisvara at Thanjavur, its successor at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the Airavatesvara at Darasuram, and this temple at Tribhuvanam. Built last, around 1200 under Kulottunga Chola III, Kampahareswarar carries the tradition to its close, with a tall, finely proportioned vimana and richly carved walls.
The lord who removes fear
Kampahareswarar means “the remover of trembling.” Tradition tells of a devotee freed from the terror of a curse by the grace of Shiva here, and so the lord is invoked against fear and affliction. A separate shrine to Sharabha, a fierce composite form of Shiva, is among the temple’s notable features.
Carved granite of the late Cholas
The temple’s vimana rises in graceful tiers, and its niches and pillars are worked with deities, dancers and mythic scenes in the refined late-Chola style. Set in the green delta country near Kumbakonam, it is quieter than its famous siblings but no less a treasure of South Indian art, and is recognised among the great Chola monuments.
How to reach Tribhuvanam
- By road: Tribhuvanam is about 8 km from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district.
- By train: Kumbakonam Junction is the nearest convenient railhead.
- By air: Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) is the nearest airport, about 90 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kampahareswarar called a great Chola temple?
It is the last of the four great Chola temples, following Brihadisvara at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara at Darasuram — built around 1200 by Kulottunga Chola III.
What does Kampahareswarar mean?
It means “the lord who removes trembling and fear.” Tradition tells of a devotee freed from the terror of a curse by Shiva’s grace here, so the lord is invoked against fear and affliction.
Who built the Tribhuvanam temple?
It was built around 1200 CE by the Chola emperor Kulottunga Chola III, making it the latest of the great Chola temple-building works.
What is the Sharabha shrine?
The temple has a notable separate shrine to Sharabha, a fierce composite form of Shiva, among its distinctive features.
How do I reach Tribhuvanam?
Tribhuvanam is about 8 km from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district. Kumbakonam Junction is the nearest railhead and Trichy airport about 90 km away.
Is it as grand as the Thanjavur temple?
It is smaller and quieter than the towering Brihadisvara, but is recognised among the great Chola monuments for its refined late-Chola architecture and carving.
॥ हर हर महादेव ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Shiva as Kampahareswarar (remover of fear) |
| Significance | Last of the four great Chola temples |
| Built | c.1200 CE, Kulottunga Chola III |
| Special | Shrine to Sharabha; tall carved vimana |
| River | Kaveri |
| Nearby | Kumbakonam (~8 km) |