Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Diocese of Kumbakonam Kumbakonam,
signifying in English the "Jug's Corner," is a town of 60,000
inhabitants, and is situated in the fertile plain of the Tanjore
District about half-way on the railroad which connects Madras
with Tuticorin. Although of no great importance to the British
Râj (dominion), still, as a religious centre, it enjoys a wide
popularity among the Hindus as the seat of one of their holiest
shrines in the south of the peninsula. Nothing positive is known
of the origin of this shrine, but a mythological legend says
that, some time before the Deluge, the mighty god Siva, desiring
to provide against the consequences of the coming cataclysm,
directed Brahma to get ready an earthen pitcher wherein he could
place in safety on a layer of ambrosia, the spark of creative
power, the Vedas, and a supply of corn-seed. Brahma having done
this, Siva closed the jug and set it on Mount Meru. When the
waters prevailed upon the earth, the precious vessel was lifted
up by the floo