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Mahamaham Festival that is held every 12 years and one of the major tourist and pilgrimage attraction of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.
According to the legend, the pot containing seed of life belonging to the holy creator Lord Brahma, settled down in this place after the occurrence of the Pralaya (absolution of the universe). The literal meaning the pot's corner Kumbakonam reassures that legend. Setting aside the myth, the city has been the seat of power for the CE century Hindu king of the region from the Pandya to the Cholas and from the Gangas to the Vijaynagara.
During the Mahamaham festival millions of pilgrims attend the event (more than 40-50 lacs devotees) and take a dip on Mahamaham tank (Pond) to purifies them and gets rid of their sins. The Mahamaham festival is the grandest festival of Kumbakonam that connects 12 Shaivite Temples, 5 Vaishnavite Temples and may others in one ceremony. This place is a great place of both religious and historical importance for tourists from all over.
The Tank has four streets along its four banks. There are 16 Mandapas around the corners and sides of the tank. These are considered to be forms of lord Shiva. The names of the Gopuram Tower:
Brammatheertheshwarar, Mukundeshwarar, Dhaneshwarar, Virushabeshwarar, Baaneshwarar, Koneshwarar, Bhakthikeshwarar, Bhairaveshwarar, Agasthyeshwarar, Vyaneshwarar, Umaibakeshwarar, Nairutheeshwarar, Brammeshwarar, Gangatheshwarar, Mukthatheertheshwarar and Shethrabaleshwarar
Legend of Mahamaham Festival
It is believed that the God of Creation, Lord Brahma will go for a sleep once in a while and it will result in the destruction of all the living beings in the earth which is called Brahma pralayam. In order to sustain life on earth, Lord Shiva instructs the educated to take sample of seeds of living organisms in a pot filled with elixer and keep it atop Himalayas. When the Brahma pralayam started, it killed all living creatures in the earth including the ones who filled the pot. When all the excess water dried up, the pot settled in a place now called Kumbakonam. Lord Shiva took the form of a Hunter and split opened the pot with his arrow. Everything poured out of into the Mahamaham tank and life on earth started flourishing again. Shiva in here is called as Kumbehswarar.
Mahamaham Day Worship
On the Mahamaham day people start praying Lord Shiva. It is continued by dips in the 20 wells, visit to Kumbeswarar Temple, dip in the holy tank and finally in Kaveri river to complete the process.
Metal idols of the deities of the main temples of Kumbakonam is carried on palanquins or chariots and taken around the different streets of the town.
Tamil Nadu has been a pilgrim’s favourite for ages. This southern state of India is frequented by people seeking spiritual awakening and transformation. Travellers from across the world embark on a journey to Tamil to revel in the religious festivities. Festivals of Tamil Nadu take place throughout the year, from Pongal to Sivarathri, Good Friday to Janmashtami. Here is a list we compiled.
