city, east-central Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nādu) state, southeastern India, located in the Kaveri (Cauvery) River (Kaveri River) delta. It was a Chola capital in the 7th century CE and has numerous Vaishnava and Shaiva temples and a rare Brahma temple. Also an ancient commercial centre, it is renowned for its trade in foods, particularly rice and betel leaves, and for its hand-spun silks and bell-metal pots. Kumbakonam is situated on road and rail routes from Tranquebar (east) to Tiruchchirappalli (west). Long a Brahman seat of learning, the city has several colleges affiliated with Bharathidasan University. Pop. (2001) 139,954.