The
Masimaham is an annual event that occurs in the Tamil month of Masi (February–
March) in the star of Magam in Kumbakanom in Tamilnadu. Once in twelve years,
when the planet Guru (Jupiter) enters Simha (Leo) sign a larger festival called
Mahamaham (Kumbh Mela festival) is celebrated at Mahamaham tank located at
Kumbakonam. Hindus consider taking a holy dip at the Mahamaham tank on the day
of Mahamaham as sacred. Vast crowds gather at Kumbakonam to have a dip in the
tank, along with saints and philosophers. All the rivers of India are believed
to meet at the tank on this day and a purificatory bath at this tank on this
day is considered equal to the combined dips in all the holy rivers of India
Festival deities from all the temples in Kumbakonam arrive at the tank and at
noon, all the deities bathe along with the devotees - it is called
"Theerthavari". The purificatory bath is believed to remove sins and
after the dip, pilgrims offer charitable gifts in the hope of being rewarded in
the current life and subsequent lives.
The
Mahamaham tank is located in the heart of Kumbakonam town. It covers an area of
6.2 acres and is trapezoidal in shape. The tank is surrounded by 16 small
Mandapams (shrines) and has 21 wells inside the tank. The names of the wells
carry the name of Lord Shiva or that of Rivers of India. The last Mahamaham was
celebrated on March 6, 2004, with people from various places taking the holy
dip in the Mahamaham tank. This once in a 12 year gala event is being
celebrated from 13th to 22nd February 2016.
To
commemorate Mahamaham 2016 celebrations a Special Cover was released on 13th
February 2016 at Kumbakonam (Special Cover approval no. TN-7/2016).
Meghdoot
Postcard (25 p.) with a picture of the Mahamaham tank to commemorate the event
was also released on the occasion.
For
availability of Special Covers please contact:
Kumbakonam HO: kmbho.cr@gmail.com
Trichy
Philatelic Bureau: srpmtryhpo620001@gmail.com
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