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.