Mahamaham Festival: A Bath Festival In Every 12 Years

Mahamaham, a sacred festival, is celebrated in the heart of Kumbakonam city in Tamil Nadu. The festival is also known as Mahamagham or Mamangam. It considered as an auspicious occasion among the Tamil Hindu community. The main concept of the festival is to take a sacred bath in the holy Mahamaham tank. Mahamaham happens in a unique celestial alignment that occurs once in 12 years. At that time, the tank becomes the confluence of the nine River Goddess. Notably, Mahamaham festival is like the South Indian version of the famous Kumbh Mela.

Date and timing of Mahamaham Festival:

The festival is celebrated during the month of Magha (February-March). It occurs when there is a full moon in the Magha nakshatra (Leo sign) while the Sun is in Aquarius (Kumbha Rasi). This rare occurrence takes place once every 12 years when Jupiter resides in Leo at the same time as a full moon in Leo. The next Mahamaham will be celebrated in 2028.

Festival:

On this special occasion, an enormous number of devotees come here to take a dip in the sacred tank, named Mahamaham Tank. People believe that during this auspicious day, the tank becomes the convergence point for all the rivers of India. Thus, on this day, taking a bath here is considered equivalent to bathing in all of India’s holy rivers combined.

The most special part of the celebration takes place at noon during the Theerthavari event. At that time, deities from various temples across Kumbakonam gathered at the tank. After that, all the deities and devotees take a bath together in the Mahamaham tank. This sacred bath is believed to wash away all sins and makes devotees feel spiritually renewed. In addition, the event signifies a deep connection between the divine and the devotees. After completing the ceremonial bath, pilgrims generously offer charitable gifts and seek blessings. A procession of temple cars from Kumbakonam’s major temples through the city adds a special grandeur to the festival.

The festival, including the tradition of taking a dip in the tank water, lasts for ten days. It is known as Brahmothsavam. These 10-day celebrations happen every year in the Magha month but with a smaller crowd compared to the major event. In the years between the 12-year Maha cycles, the festival is named the Masi-Maham festival. (Masi is a month in the Tamil calendar).

The Mahamaham Tank and Its surroundings:

The holy Mahamaham tank is situated in the heart of the Kumbakonam city near the Kaveri River. 16 small Mandapams (Shrins) surround the tank except to the South. These 16 mandapams or Sodasa Linga Mandapas are dedicated to Lord Shiva. In addition, the tank also has 21 wells inside it, all of which are named after Lord Shiva and various Indian Rivers.

Name of the Mandapams-

Name of the Wells-

The area including the Mahamaham tank and temple premises is around 20 acres; whereas with ghat-like steps, the tank itself covers around 6 acres. These ghat-like steps and the four streets along its four banks make it easily accessible.

Rituals:

On the day of Mahamaham, people begin by offering prayers at various Shiva temples. Then they take a dip in the holy tank. On the other hand, some faithful go through a more thorough procedure. They begin by taking dips in 20 wells. Then, they visit the Kumbeswarar temple. Afterward, they again take a dip in the holy Mahamahan tank. Finally, the faithful complete their process by taking a dip in the Kaveri River water.

Besides these, there are also public celebrations like chariot parades and fares. In this event, the idols of the deities come out from the main temples of Kumbakonam to give darshan to everyone. The idols are carried in wooden chariots through the town’s streets.

Temples Connected to Mahamaham festival:

12 Shiva temples and 5 Vishnu temples are connected with this festival. Out of which, 10 Shiva temples and all the Vishnu temples are situated in Kumbakonam town.

12 Shiva temples are-

Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Kumbeswarar Temple, Someswarar Temple, Nageswara Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Gowthameswarar Temple, Abimukeswarar Temple, Kambatta Visvanathar Temple, Banapuriswarar Temple, Kalahasteeswarar Temple, Koteeswarar Temple, and Amirthakalasanathar Temple.

5 Vishnu temples are-

i. Sarangapani Temple.

ii. Chakrapani Temple.

iii. Ramaswamy Temple.

iv. Rajagopalaswamy Temple.

 v. Verahaperumal Temple.

Historical Records:

We can determine the age of the festival from the architecture and various inscriptions. The ‘gopuram of Nagalpuram’ and the ‘Shiva temple of Kuthalam’ have records about the visit of Krishnadevaraya (emperor of Vijayanagara Empire; 1509-1529). Besides, one of the tank-side mandapas carries a sculptural representation of Tulapurshadana. Tulapurshadana is a practice of weighing oneself against gold. People say that Govinda Dikshitar (Prime Minister of 16^th century Nayak era) attended the event and donated gold. That donation helped to build the 16 mandapas around the tank. Apart from these, in the 19^th century, many British colonial-era writers documented the tradition of this holy dip.

Significance of the Mahamaham festival:

The festival holds immense significance in Hindu culture and spirituality. Legends say that on this auspicious day, the nine river Goddesses and Lord Shiva gather here to rejuvenate their waters. They are- Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Kaveri, and Sarayu. Thus, the event offers the faithful an opportunity to cleanse themselves of sins and attain spiritual merit. In addition, the Bhavishya Purana also states the importance of the Mahamaham festival as a narrative of Lord Shiva to all celestial deities.

Though Mahamaham takes place in the Southern part of India, it attracts a large number of devotees across the country. Even, in the last Mahamaham festival (in 2016), the city witnessed more than 1 million pilgrims. Moreover, this centuries-old festival continues to inspire people with its deep rooted spirituality and cultural richness.