Mahamaham tank, Kumbakonam

Mahamaham Tank
Mahamaham Tank
Location:	Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates:	10°57′36″N 79°22′48″E / 10.960°N 79.38°E / 10.960; 79.38
Architectural style(s):	Dravidian architecture
Type:	Cultural
State Party:	India
Region:
Location in Tamil Nadu, India

Mahamaham Tank is a huge temple tank located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. It is considered to be the foremost and largest among temple tanks in Tamil Nadu.

History

It is believed that after the deluge and just before the advent of Kaliyuga the celestial pot containing the nectar containing the seeds of life came to rest here. Lord Shiva in the garb of a hunter, shot an arrow at the pot and broke it, making it contents spill resulting in the revival of life. Kumbham means the pot and Konam means crooked - the pot the broke when Shiva's arrow hit it. Adi Kumbeswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who broke the pot and place where the nectar fell is the Mahamaham tank.^[1]

Night view of the Mahamaham tank

The Tank

The Tank is located in the heart of Kumbakonam town. This tank covers an area of 6.2 acres and is not a perfect rectangle. The tank is Surrounded by 16 small Mandapams and a "Nava Kannika Temple"(Nine rivers) in the Eastern Side. Govinda Theekshitan, the Chieftain, of Achutha Nayaka of Thanjavur, constructed sixteen Mandapams and stone steps around this tank.

List of Mandapams

Brahmatheerthesar, Mukunthar, Thalesar, Rishakesar, Umaipakesar, Nairuthesar, Brahmeesar, Gangatheerthesar and Seshtra Paleesar, are the names of deities located in these Mandapams.

List of wells inside the tank

Name of Theertham	Associated Deity
Vayu Theertham	Vayu(Air)
Ganga Theertham	Ganga(River)
Brahma Theertham	Lord Brahma
Yamuna Theertham	Yamuna(River)
Kubera Theertham	Kubera(Celestial Deity)
Godavari Theertham	Godavari(River)
Eshana Theertham	Shiva
Narmada Theertham	Narmada(River)
Saraswathi Theertham	Saraswati(Deity)
Indira Theertham	Indra(Celestial Deity)
Agni Theertham	Agni(Fire)
Cauvery Theertham	Cauvery(River)
Yama Theertham	Yama(Celestial Deity)
Kumari Theertham	Parvathi(Goddess)
Niruthi Theertham	Parvathi(Goddess)
Bayoshini Theertham	Parvathi(Goddess)
Deva Theertham	Shiva(God)
Varunai Theertham	Varuna(Celestial Deity)
Sarayu Theertham	Sarayu(River)
Kanya Theertham	Parvathi(Goddess)

Mahamaham Festival

Maham is an annual event. But once in twelve years, when the planet Guru(Jupiter) enters Simha(Leo) sign, the Kumbh mela festival of South India is celebrated at Mahamaham tank. Vast crowds gather at Kumbakonam to have a dip in the tank, along with saints and philosophers. All the rivers of India are said to meet at the tank on this day and so, a purificatory bath at this tank on this day is considered equal to the combined dips in all the holy rivers of India.^[2]

Panoramic view of the Mahamaham tank and Kasi Viswanathar Temple

Temple Associated

• Kasi Viswanathar Temple
• Adi Kumbeswarar Temple

Gallery

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  Yearly Masimagam festival at the tank

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  Yearly Masimagam festival at the tank

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  Yearly Masimagam festival at the tank

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  Percussions

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  Elephant procession

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  Kumbeswarar Procession

References

1. ^ Hindu Pilgrimage: A Journey Through the Holy Places of Hindus All Over India, Sunita Pant Bansal
2. ^ History, Religion and Culture of India, S. Gajrani