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Sunday, June 14, 2020

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam – Festivals

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam – Festivals
The Temple has twelve yearly festivals on its calendar, with the Masi Magam festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Maasi (February - March) being the most prominent. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is famous for the Mahamagam Festival that takes place once every twelve years in Masi (February-March when the star Magam reigns over the skies). Lakhs of pilgrims from various parts of India visit Kumbakonam to take a holy bath in the sacred Mahamaham tank that is in the heart of the town.
Processional figures of deities from all the temples in Kumbakonam arrive at the tank. At noon, all the deities bathe along with the devotees in a ceremony called Theerthavari (bath of purification). After the dip, pilgrims donate liberally to the temple. The Ther (temple cars) of major temples in Kumbakonam come around the city on the festival night. Sapthasthana festival is celebrated in Chithirai (April-May) when the Lord and Mother visit 7 places at a distance of 20 Kms.
Thirukalyanam (wedding festival) in Vaikasi (May-June), Thirumanjanam in Aani (June-July), Aadi Perukku & Aadi Pooram (July-August), Panguni festival (March-April) with special pujas, Butter pot festival on the Aswathi star day in Masi (February-March) on the 8th day, and the procession of Panchamurtis are the festivals grandly celebrated in the temple.
Aavani covering August-September is the Malayalam New Year Day when Sun will be in Leo that determines the weather of the year throughout. The practice of fasting during the Sundays of this month praying to Sun and Nagaraja for protection of the crops from creatures as rat etc. is followed since ancient days. Special pujas are performed in this temple on Aavani Sundays in August-September.