Mahamaham Festival - Tamilnadu

Celebrated once in 12 years in the quaint town of Kumbakonam, the Mahamaham festival is thronged by thousands of devotees from across the world. The Mahamaham festival is a bathing ritual that is believed to cleanse one of all sins.

The bathing takes place in the Mahamaham tank that is situated at the heart of the land of temples. The exact date and time for the celebration of this festival is fixed according to the astrological positions.

According to Hindu legends, the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Sarayu, Cauvery, Saraswati, Mahanadi and Narmada wished to be rid of the sins people were washing in them. Hence, they prayed to Lord Brahma who asked the rivers to take a bath in Mahamaham together so that they attain purity.

From that time, the Mahamaham tank is believed to comprise of the waters of all the holy rivers and taking a dip in the tank is equivalent to taking a dip in all the holy rivers. During the festival the entire town of Kumbakonam bustles with celebration. The entire town gets decorated and jumps with vibrant colors.

Celebrations :Every 12 years during the Tamil month of Masi.