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[[File:Mahamaham on tirttavari kumbeswarar temple25.jpg|thumb|400px|Processional deities of Kumbeswarar temple, atop the [[vahana]]]]
'''2016 Mahamaham''' (2016 மகாமகம்)<ref name="ta.wikipedia.org">[[:ta:2016 மகாமகம்]]</ref> is a recurring festival most recently celebrated at [[Kumbakonam]] in [[Thanjavur district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], India from 13 February 2016 to 22 February 2016.<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/01/28/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4-/article3248945.ece "மகாமகம்: மாசி மாதத்தில் எந்த நாளில் புனித நீராடினாலும் முழுப் பலன் உண்டு':பக்தர்களை வரவேற்க தயார்நிலையில் அரசு நிர்வாகம், தினமணி", 28 ஜனவரி 2016]</ref> [[Mahamaham]], also known as ''Mahamagham'' or ''Mamangam'', is a [[Hindu]] festival celebrated every 12 years in the [[Mahamaham tank, Kumbakonam|Mahamaham tank]] in Kumbakonam.

==Background==
Anticipating a deluge that would destroy the world, the creator [[Brahma]] sought the help of the lord [[Shiva]], who created a pot containing nectar and the seeds of creation. Brahma decorated the pot with coconut, darbha, mango leaves, sacred thread, vastram and vilvam and performed worshipful puja, placing the pot atop the Meru Hill. When the deluge struck, the pot came to rest in Kumbakonam. Shiva, as a hunter, appeared and opened the pot, and nectar dispersed from it in different directions, emerging as sacred theertham water in the holy Potramarai tank [[Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam|(Sarangapani temple)]] and [[Mahamaham tank, Kumbakonam|Mahamaham tank]].<ref name=hindu1>[https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/the-legend-behind-the-mahamagham-festival/article8253049.ece The 12 year wait for a dip, The Hindu, 18 February 2016]</ref>

==Bath in holy tank==
To bathe in the holy tank is said to bring good fortune. The tank has 20 wells named after 20 holy rivers flowing across the country. Belief holds that a dip in these wells rids one of a specific sin and confers a specific blessing to the devotee. Thousands of devotees took a dip in the Mahamaham tank on the opening day of the once-in-12 years gathering in the Thanjavur district.<ref name=htimes>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/the-kumbh-mela-of-the-south-mahamaham-begins-in-tamil-nadu/story-1P8TeSJBOX3jhRHlmKTURN.html The Kumbh Mela of the South: Mahamaham begins in Tamil Nadu Hindustan Times, 13 February 2016]</ref> The festival, with its tank bathing tradition, extends over 10 days (''Brahmothsavam''). The festivities are also observed with smaller crowds in the Magha month (about February) every year between the 12-year ''Maha'' (major) cycle. In interim years, the event is called the ''Masi-maham'' festival.<ref>[https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/devotees-take-holy-dip-in-mahamaham-tank/article26317867.ece Devotees take holy dip in Mahamaham tank], The Hindu (February 20, 2019)</ref> During festival days, devotees were permitted to bathe in the [[Mahamaham tank, Kumbakonam|Mahamaham tank]] from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.<ref name="dm12216"/> Because the tank's 20 wells are named after the country's holy rivers, devotees believe that to take a dip here during the festival is equivalent to bathing in all of these rivers.<ref>[https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/tamil-nadu-braces-up-for-mahamaham-the-kumbh-mela-of-the-south-1278573 Tamil Nadu Braces Up For Mahamaham - The Kumbh Mela Of The South, NDTV, 19 February 2016]</ref>

People anticipated the 2016 festival for over a year. In connection with it [[Kumbhabhishekham|kumbabishegams]] rituals were held in many temples in Kumbakonam. On the auspicious first day, pandakkal muhurtham was held in many temples followed by hoisting of temples, [[Theppotsavam|float festival]] and tirttavari. On the last two days, (i.e., on 21 and 22 February 2016) all temples were opened from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The 22nd of February 2016 was proclaimed a local holiday in the [[Thanjavur]], [[Nagapattinam]] and [[Tiruvarur]] districts.<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/tamilnadu/2016/02/06/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE%C2%A0%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-22-%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-/article3263785.ece மகாமகம் திருவிழா: வரும் 22-இல் தஞ்சை உள்பட 3 மாவட்டங்களுக்கு விடுமுறை, தினமணி, 6 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> On festival days the tank held only two feet of water for safety reasons.<ref name=htimes/> Even after the culmination of festival, devotees were found taking bath in the temple.<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/02/29/%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%92%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%87-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-5-%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A/article3302526.ece குடந்தையில் ஒரே நாளில் 5 லட்சம் பக்தர்கள் புனித நீராடல், தினமணி, 29 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref><ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/03/07/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-3-%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%87/article3314428.ece மகாமகக் குளத்தில் 3 லட்சம் பேர் நீராடல், தினமணி, 7 மார்ச் 2016]</ref>

==Pandakkal muhurttham==
[[File:Kumbeswarar pandakkal.jpg|thumb|Pandakkal muhurttham in [[Adi Kumbeswarar Temple|Kumbeswarar Temple]]]]
In all temples connected with Mahamaham, on 24 January 2016, Pandakkal muhurttham was held, an event signifying the start of the festival.<ref>[http://tamil.thehindu.com/tamilnadu/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE/article8150599.ece மகாமகம் கோயில்களில் பந்தல்கால் நடும் விழா, தி இந்து, 25 ஜனவரி 2016]</ref><ref name="dm1322016"/> The merging of holy water in the Mahamaham tank<ref name="dm1322016">[http://www.dinamani.com/tamilnadu/2016/02/13/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE-%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%A9/article3274026.ece மகாமக விழா: கொடியேற்றத்துடன் இன்று தொடங்குகிறது, தினமணி, 13 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> k and opening of water in Mahamaham took place on 12 February 2016.<ref>[http://www.maalaimalar.com/2016/02/13072716/opening-of-water-pond-in-kumba.html நகராட்சி மேல்நிலை நீர்தேக்க தொட்டியில் இருந்து கும்பகோணம் மகாமக குளத்துக்கு தண்ணீர் திறப்பு, மாலை மலர், 13 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> To avoid a crowd and sudden rush, devotees were allowed to bathe before 6:00 a.m. on 13 February 2016.<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/02/14/%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%87-%E0%AE%A8/article3276729.ece கொடியேற்றத்துக்கு முன்பே நீராடிய பொதுமக்கள்,தினமணி, 14 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> In 40 days over 45 lakh (4.5 million) devotees participated in the festival, and it concluded to the satisfaction of one and all.<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/tamilnadu/2016/02/24/%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D/article3293244.ece நிறைவாக முடிந்தது மகாமகம், தினமணி, 24 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref>

==Hoisting of temple flag==
In [[Shiva]] temples on 13 February 2016,<ref name="dm14216">[http://www.dinamani.com/religion/2016/02/14/%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF/article3276249.ece கொடியேற்றத்துடன் தொடங்கியது மகாமகப் பெருவிழா! பக்தர்கள் புனித நீராடினர், தினமணி, 14 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> and in [[Vishnu]] temples on 14 February 2016 temple flags were hoisted.<ref name="dm14216"/><ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/02/14/%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%87-%E0%AE%A8/article3276729.ece மகாமகம்: 5 வைணவத் தலங்களில் கொடியேற்றம், தினமணி, 15 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref>
In [[Adi Kumbeswarar Temple|Kumbeswarar Temple]], [[Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam|Nageswara Temple]], [[Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Kumbakonam|Kasi Viswanathar Temple]], [[Abimukeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam|Abimukeswarar Temple]], [[Kalahasteeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam|Kahahasteeswarar Temple]] and [[Someswaran Temple|Someswarar Temple]] festivities were held for 10 days. In Brahmotsavam and in [[Ekambeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam|Ekambareswarar Temple]], [[Gauthameswarar Temple, Kumbakonam|Gowthameswarar Temple]], [[Kambatta Viswanathar Temple, Kumbakonam|Kambatta Visvanathar Temple]], [[Banapuriswarar Temple]], [[Kottaiyur Kodeeswarar Temple|Koteeswarar Temple]], and [[Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Sakkottai|Amirthakalasanathar Temple]] they were held for one day.<ref name="dm12216">[http://www.dinamani.com/tamilnadu/2016/02/12/%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE-%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF/article3272497.ece நாளை மகாமகப் பெருவிழா கொடியேற்றம்: பக்தர்கள் புனித நீராட அனுமதி, தினமணி, 12 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref>

==Chariot festival==
Arrangements were made for chariot festivals at the Abimukeswarar Temple and the Nageswarar Temple, and on 21 February 2016 at the Kumbeswarar Temple on 22 February 2016<ref>[http://www.maalaimalar.com/2016/02/13092152/vinayagar-murugan-ther-trial.html ஆதிகும்பேஸ்வரர் கோவிலை சேர்ந்த விநாயகர்- சுப்பிரமணியர் தேர்கள் வெள்ளோட்டம், மாலை மலர், 13 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> After four [[Mahamaham]]s, five temple chariots run at one stretch, at Kumbeswarar Temple.<ref>[http://tamil.thehindu.com/tamilnadu/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF-20%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D/article8206517.ece மகாமகப் பெருவிழா: நான்கு மகாமகத்துக்குப் பிறகு ஆதிகும்பேஸ்வரர் கோயிலில் பிப்ரவரி 20-ல் தேரோட்டம், தி இந்து, 8 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210419085417/https://temple.dinamalar.com/mahamaham/detail.php?id=52742 48 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு பிறகு.. ஆதிகும்பேஸ்வரர் கோயிலில் தேரோட்டம் கோலாகலம்!, தினமலர், 20 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> Chariot festivals of Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Abimukeswarar Temple and Nageswara Temple were held on 21 February 2016.<ref>[http://tamil.thehindu.com/tamilnadu/%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%A3%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF-10-%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%A9-%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81/article8266931.ece கும்பகோணத்தில் இன்று மகாமக தீர்த்தவாரி: 10 லட்சம் பக்தர்கள் வருவார்கள் என எதிர்பார்ப்பு, தி இந்து, 22 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref>

==Tirttavari==
"Asthira Devar" — (‘Trishul’ with images of the respective Gods) of each temple were brought and ‘abishekams’ were performed. At the auspicious time, priests took the ‘Asthira Devars’ and immersed them in the tank and bathed, signaling the fulfillment of the "Theerthavari".<ref>[https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/230216/theerthavari-day-over-10-lakh-take-mahamaham-dip-in-tamil-nadu.html Theerthavari day: Over 10 lakh take Mahamaham dip in Tamil Nadu, Deccan Chronicle, 23 February 2016]</ref><ref>[http://www.mahamaham.net/n/ Mahamaham Theerthavari]</ref>
The Tirttavari Trial for Tirttavari was held on 6 February 2016.<ref>[http://www.dinakaran.com/Aanmeegam_Detail.asp?Nid=11398&cat=3?Nid=11398 குடந்தையில் மகாமகம் விழா 13ல் துவக்கம், தினகரன், 6 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> For Shiva temples it was held on 22 February 2016 between 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. in the Mahamaham Tank. For five Vishnu temples it was held on the banks of [[Kaveri]]. Those five temples are [[Sarangapani Temple]], [[Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam|Chakrapani Temple]], [[Ramaswamy Temple, Kumbakonam|Ramaswamy Temple]], [[Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Kumbakonam|Rajagopalaswamy Temple]], and Varahaperumal Temple.<ref name=hindu1/><ref name="dm10216">[http://www.dinamani.com/tamilnadu/2016/02/10/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE-%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%B8/article3269199.eceமகாமக விழா: குடந்தையில் பிஎஸ்என்எல் சார்பில் வைஃபை, ஹாட் ஸ்பாட் வசதி அறிமுகம், தினமணி, 10 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> During Tirttavari, processional deities of 12 Shiva temples were kept on the [[Nandi bull|Nandi]] [[vahana]] and went around the town's main streets. Later, in the Mahamaham tank, special abisegam sprinkling rituals were held to [[Astra (weapon)|Astra]] devars, and Tirttavari was held. For five Vishnu temples, Tirttavari was held to astradevars at Sarangapani Tirttavari mandapa, near to Sakkarai ghat, known as Sakkara paditthurai in Tamil.<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/tamilnadu/2016/02/23/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D/article3291541.ece?service=print மகாமகம் தீர்த்தவாரி லட்சக்கணக்கானோர் புனித நீராடல், தினமணி, 23 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref>

==Cultural programmes==
In connection with Mahamaham, exhibitions and cultural programmes were held in five places in Kumbakonam.<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/02/16/5-%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D/article3279754.ece 5 இடங்களில் கலை விழாக்கள், தினமணி, 16 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> From 13 February 2016 Government Exhibition was held in the ground of [[Town Higher Secondary School]].<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/02/10/%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D.-13-%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8A/article3269972.eceகுடந்தையில் பிப். 13-ல் அரசு பொருட்காட்சி தொடக்கம், தினமணி, 10 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> A book exhibition was held from 20 February 2016.<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/02/20/%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%A3%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A3/article3287303.ece கும்பகோணத்தில் புத்தகக் கண்காட்சி தொடக்கம், தினமணி, 20 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref>

==Commemoration volumes==
Special postcards<ref>[https://www.dinamalar.com/news/tamil-nadu-district-news-thanjavur/news/1432344 மகாமகத்திற்கு வரும் பக்தர்களை வரவேற்க சிறப்பு அஞ்சல் அட்டை, தினமலர், 13 ஜனவரி 2016]</ref> Mahamaham Special cover<ref>மகாமக சிறப்பு அஞ்சல் உறை வெளியீடு, தினமணி, 14 பிப்ரவரி 2016</ref> and calendars with photographs of the processional deities of 12 Shiva temples and five Vishnu temples were also released.<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/tamilnadu/2016/01/20/%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE/article3234978.ece அறநிலையத் துறை சார்பில் மகாமகம்-2016 காலண்டர் வெளியீடு, தினமணி, 20 ஜனவரி 2016]</ref><ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/02/21/%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF/article3289114.ece தாற்காலிகப் பேருந்து நிலையங்கள், ஆட்சியர் ஆய்வு, தினமணி, 21 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref> The [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department]] of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] and [[Saraswathi Mahal Library]] released commemorative volumes with articles about various aspects such religion, the arts, temples and Kumbakonam.
<ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/02/11/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D/article3271480.ece மகாமகக் குளத்துக்குச் செல்ல 4 வழிகள்!, தினமணி, 11 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref>
<ref>[http://tamil.thehindu.com/tamilnadu/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-2016-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81/article8221926.ece சரஸ்வதி மகால் நூலகம் சார்பில் ‘மகாமகம் 2016’ சிறப்பு மலர் வெளியீடு, தி இந்து, 11 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref><ref>[http://www.dinamani.com/edition_trichy/tanjore/2016/02/20/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81/article3287301.ece மகாமக சிறப்பு மலர் வெளியீடு, தினமணி, 20 பிப்ரவரி 2016]</ref>

==Arrangements==
The Kumbakonam Municipality, in its sesquicentennial year, 2016, has spent over Rs. 50 crore ($6.8 million US) to improve civic infrastructure to ensure a hygienic and memorable environment for visiting devotees of Mahamham; this investment included special arrangements to improve facilities such as water supply, street lighting, bio-mining work, town roads and sanitary lines.<ref name=hindu2>[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kumbakonam-municipality-turns-150/article8242630.ece Kumbakonam Municipality turns 150, The Hindu, 16 February 2016]</ref> Police also made elaborate security arrangements to prevent stampedes. A team of 25,000 policemen and 3,000 home guards was deployed throughout the town. All vehicles were halted at least one and half km from the temple, and all temples were cordoned off.<ref name=htimes/>

==Other Tanks==
The tanks of Kumbakonam got a new lease of life thanks to Mahamaham. They are the Pachaiyappan tank, Sei Kulam, Ayee Kulam, Bairagi Kulam, Pidari Kulam and Banadurai Kulam.<ref name=hindu2/>

==Photogallery==
===On Tirttavari day===
<gallery>
File: Mahamaham tank on tirttavari11.jpg|Sunrise near Mahamaham tank
File: Mahamaham tank on tirttavari2.jpg|Devotees in Mahamaham Tank
File: Mahamaham tank on tirttavari5.jpg|Devotees in Mahamaham Tank
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari portamarai tank7.jpg|Devotees going to Portamarai Tank
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari portamarai tank4.jpg|Devotees taking bath Portamarai Tank
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari cauvery river5.jpg|Devotees in Kavery
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari cauvery river2.jpg|Devotees taking bath in Kavery
</gallery>

===Shiva and Vishnu Temples===
<gallery>
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari abimukeswarar temple 4.jpg|Chariot of Abimukeswarar Temple
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari abimukeswarar temple 1.jpg|Abimukeswarar Temple
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari kumbeswarar temple1.jpg|Five chariots of Kumbeswarar Temple
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari ramaswamy temple3.jpg|Processional deity of Ramasamy Temple
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari ramaswamy temple4.jpg|Ramasamy Temple
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari chakrapani temple4.jpg|Chakrapani Temple chariot
File: Mahamaham on tirttavari sarngapany temple4.jpg|Sarangapani Temple and chariot
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Mahamaham Stampede]]
*[[Mamankam festival|Mamankam (Tirunavaya, Kerala)]]
*[[Mahamaham]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.onlinethanjavur.com/mahamaham/ மகாமகம் 2016]
* [https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/a-collection-of-pictures-on-mahamaham-2016/article8264207.ece/photo/1/ Mahamaham 2016, The Hindu]
* [https://www.india.com/news/india/naga-sadhus-visit-mahamaham-for-first-time-966660/ Naga Sadhus visit Mahamaham for first time, India.com]

[[Category:Temple tanks in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Kumbakonam]]

2016 Mahamaham - Revision history

BP Writer at 12:15, 13 May 2025