Kumbakonam is known as the 'Temple City' of Tamil Nadu due to its numerous historic temples. It has around 18 temples within the town limits and is surrounded by many more in the region, making it a major pilgrimage center. While Madurai is called the 'Athens of the East' for its Meenakshi Temple, Kumbakonam specifically carries the 'Temple City' title due to its extraordinary density of temples.