Maha Makham (K)

Kumbakonam is famous for the Maha Makha festival which is celebrated once in 12 years in the month of February. The festival is celebrated when Jupiter passes the constellation of Leo. A bath in the Maha Makham tank on that day is considered very sacred. This tank is situated in the heart of the town and covers an area of twenty acres. There are 16 mantapas along the bank of the tank, dedicated to various deities. It is believed that the deities of all the nine sacred rivers meet on maha makhan day at Kumbakonam. The scientific explanation for this is that when the planet Jupiter passes over Leo on the great Maha Makham day, the waters of the tank get saturated with mineral properties. On this very same day in distant North Kashmir the Lake in Kotihar gets a full supply of water due to the planetary combination. Though the lake may run dry for 11 years in the 12 year on Maha Makham day gets a full supply of water. Another feature is the only temple for Brahma exists in the Pattunulkaara street to the left of the tank in Kumbakonam. On the right of the tank exists a shrine for the nine rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada, Kaveri, Godavari, Mahanadhi, Palar and Sarayu. These nine rivers come here to cleanse themselves of all the sins accumulated. as all through the year humans washing themselves of their sins by bathing in these rivers make them very polluted and unbearable so these rivers get their cleansing done here. All the devas along with Brahma Vishnu and Siva too are present in the tank on that particular day the cleansing is extended to humans too. this tank is held in great esteem and people throng this great town every twelve years for this great festival.