Maha Maham festival: The Holy Bath Festival- Kumbakonam

The Mahamaham festival which is celebrated in Kumbakonam is witnessed by lakhs of devotees across the world This spectacular event occurs once in 12 years in the Tamil month of Maasiin between February and March. According to Hindu mythology the sacred rivers Ganga Yamuna Sarayu Cauvery Saraswati Mahanadi and Narmada pleaded to Lord Brahma for a moksha salvation to cleanse themselves as many devotees take a bath in these rivers to get rid of their sins as a belief Through the Maha Magam Festival it is believed that Lord Brahma provided the rivers with a resolution The Mahamaham square tank is spread over an area of 20 acres and is surrounded by Lord Shiva mandapams. The Mahamaham Festivals tenday celebrations begin with the raising of a Holy flag in the Vaishnavite Temple across the town The whole Kumbakonam town bustles with festivity during the celebration Devotees believe that taking a sacred bath at this tank cleanses their souls of the sins which have occurred in the past On the day of the festival more than 50 lakhs of devotees throng the Holy tank to take a holy bath Devotees perform poojas and homams here on all auspicious days since the holy tank is devoured as a fortunate destination