Mahaamaham festival,
(The Kumbamela of the South) is celebrated in Kumbakonam once in 12 years,
when Guru Bhagavan is in Simha Raasi, when Pournami or full day in the
Tamil month of Maasi coincide with Maha natchathiram (star).
To mark the beginning of the ceremonies,
flasgs were hoisted in the Siva temples on 25 March 2004 & Vishnu temples
on 26 March 2004. Poojas were performed to the Nava Kannigais in
the Kaasi Viswanathar temple. Sri Jayendra Swamigal along with the
heads of the Dharmapuram Aadheenam and the Thirupanandal Mutt took a holy
dip, followed by devotees.
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Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal taking a holy dip on 25th
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Theerthavaari - 6 March 2004
Devotees gathered in lakhs to take
a holy dop in the Mahaamaham tank on the 6th. Idols from the 12 Siva
temples were brought to the tank for theerthavaari, the sprinkling of the
holy waters of the tank. Poojas were performed to the small idols
on the steps and the idols were immersed in the water at the auspicious
time. Poojas & theerthavaari were performed for the Vaishnava
Gods at the Chakra padithurai, on the banks of the Cauvery river near the
Chakrabani Koil, at the same auspicious moment.
The religious heads of mutts also
took a dip followed by devotees. The 10 days from the hoisting of
the flag are considered as auspicious days for a holy dip in the tank,
though the specific time on the 6th is the most auspicious. After
the dip in the Mahaamaham tank, devotees took a dip in the Potraamarai
& Cauvery & worshipped the Lords in the nearby Siva & Vaishnava
temples.
The idols from the Sivan temples,
for theerthavaari
Poojas performed to the idols at Mahaamaham tank before the holy
dip
Poojas performed to the idols at the Chakra Padithurai before the
holy dip
The Kanchi mutt heads taking a dip
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Devotees taking a dip
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Devotees sprinkling water on ech other
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