The Baskara Kshetram temple is situated at
Kumbakonam in
Thanjavur District,
Tamil Nadu, about 2 miles away from
Kumbakonam railway station.
This temple was originally dedicated to Lord Bhaskara, another name of Surya, the Sun God. However, the present deity is a combination of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. He has two heads and four hands. He offers prayer to Shiva using one pair of hands, while in the other pair holds a lotus which represents
Goddess Lakshmi. The color of Lord Shiva and his ornaments are all blue in color, which represents Lord Vishnu.
The deity in this temple is also known by the name ‘Saarangapani’, another name of Lord Vishnu. The deity is shown as getting up from sleeping position. He is also known by the names ‘Aara Amudhan’, ‘Abayaryaapthamiruthan’ and ‘Utthanasayi’.
This temple is a symbol of harmony between the Shaivities and Vaishnavities, the sects worshiping Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu respectively.
