KUMBAKONAM AND MAHAMAHAM கும்பகோணம் - மஹா மஹம்

KUMBAKONAM AND MAHAMAHAM

கும்பகோணம் - மஹா மஹம்

WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT KUMBAKONAM?

Sometimes I wonder why one should do PAAPAM (பாபம்) But considering that human birth itself is a sin ,PAAPAM (பாபம்) and that too as a BRAHMAN one does DWIJANMA PAAPAM (Being born twice – one from the mother’s womb and then one takes to BRAHMACHARYAM, wearing sacred thread) ; doing various penance and cleansing rituals TO REMOVE SIN is justified.

People run from pillars to post to cleanse their sin as seen under.

अन्य क्षेत्रे कृतं पापं , पुण्य क्षेत्रे विनस्यति |

पिनया क्षेत्रे कृतं पापं वाराणस्यां विनस्यति |

वाराणस्यां कृतं पापं कुम्बकोणे विनस्यति |

कुम्बकोणे कृतं पापं कुम्बकोणे विनस्यति |

அன்ய க்ஷேற்றே க்ருதம் பாபம் புண்ய க்ஷேற்றே விநச்யதி |

புண்ய க்ஷேற்றே கிருதம் பாபம் வாரனாச்யாம்  விநச்யதி |

வாரனாச்யம்ம் க்ருதம் பாபம் கும்பகோனே  விநச்யதி |

கும்பகோனே க்ருதம் பாபம் கும்பகோனே விநச்யதி |

The above saying makes KUMBAKONAM as the best place to cleanse ones SINS.

WHICH IS GREAT ?

A HOLY (PUNYA) PLACE  is known as a KSHETRAM (क्षेत्रम) . In variable these places would have a temple whose reigning deity is very powerful. These deities will reside in an IDOL ( MOORTHY – मूर्ति – மூர்த்தி )

Most of these HOLY PLACE (पुण्य क्षेत्रम - புண்ய க்ஷேத்ரம் ) would have temple tank or a river close by. The water in these tanks or rivers are know as THEERTHAMS (தீர்த்தம் – थीर्थम ) .

Of these three KSHETRAM (PLACE), IDOL (MOORTHY), and THEERTHAM (Water) ; which is the MOST SACRED?

Mahabharata refers to BALARAMA having gone to THEERTHA YAATHRAA when the war raged.

We say THEERTHAM RANKS FIRST ;

Next comes STHALAM or KSHETRAM (PLACE)

Next comes MOORTHY (IDOL)

Or MOORTHY < STALAM < THEERTHAM .

Hence those who does religious tourism should look for places where the there is either a holy tank with water or a holy river with water exists.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF KUMBAKONAM?

Kumbakonam is a place that provides all the three with many holy tanks, holy well and the holy river Cauvery flowing through the place.

Hence Kumbakonam is the holiest of holy places in BHARATHA VARSHA , in INDIA as you see in the sloka above , even holier than KASI.

GREATNESS OF MAHAMAM TANK

The MAHAMAHAM TANK in Kumbakonam, which houses TWENTY (20) wells in it apart from the tank water is known as MAHATHEERTHAM (மஹா தீர்த்தம் - महः थीर्थम ). अहम -  means SIN – PAAPAM – பாபம் – पापं .

Maa – “மா” : माँ “ means , will not be touched , தொடாது.

Therefore Maham stands for untouchable by PAAPAM – பாபம் தொடாதது.

Thus Kumbakonam is revered as the greatest place to cleanse ones sins in the waters of MAHAMAHAM TANK.

WHY MAHAA MAHAM ?

Once in twelve years the time when

Surian (Sun) is in KUMBHA RASI

GURU IN SIMHA RASI

The FULL MOON (POURNAMI) and MAHA STAR is present , in VRISHABHA lAGNAM

BETWEEN 11.30 to 1.30 ,

BRAHMA AND DEVAS IN THE FOURTEEN LOKAS ARE EXPECTED TO COME THERE FOR BATH.

This holy time come on 13-02-2016 this time.

THE STORY OF NAVA KANYAS

Once the presiding deities of all the HOLY RIVERS such as GANGA, YAMUNA, SARASWATHY, GODAVARI< CAUVERY< MAHANADHI< PAYOSHNI (PAALAAR) , SARAYU etc. have joined together and approached the PARAMA SIVA and asked him a genuine query.

They requested Paramasiva to help them find a place to CLEANSE THEIR SINS acquired by the PEOPLE WHO TAKE BATH IN THEM TO CLEAN THEIR SINS. They asked PARAMASIVA, Hey EASWAR, “ We help in cleansing people from their sins when they take bath or when they do namaskars to us or when they tell our names or by drinking our water or meditation on the banks of our river. But we have acquired all their sins. Where can we get rid of these sins acquired by us by helping these people?”

Pramasiva asked them to go to Kumbakonam. But the River deities told Siva that they do not know where Kumbakonam  is situated. There after Siva took them to KASI and took the form of VISWESWARAN. Visweswara accompanied by Lord Iindra , the other devas, the presiding deities of NAVA THEERTHAS (NINE THEERRTHAMS) , gandharvas, apsaras and other sivaganas and in just a few moment.

Siva sat on the north side of the tank known as PAAPAPATHOTHAGAM (பாபபதோதகம்- पापपाठोठागाम ) other wise known as MAHAMAHA TANK with the name PALECHWARAR. He sat facing west and PARVATHY with the name of  SUDHAVALLI sat facing south . Siva informed the NAVAKANYS that , he is taking the form of ABHIMUKESWARAR.

The NAVAKANYAS took bath in the MAHAMAHAM TANK and requested Siva that they may permitted to remain there looking at the MAHAMAHA THEERTHAM till MOON and SUN EXIST and they wanted the SIVA to be called as ABHMUKESWARAR.

SIVA GRANTED THEIR BOON and they after circumambulation of  the  tank ,settled as NAVAKANYAS at the KASIVISWANATHA TEMPLE north of Mahamaham tank .

BRAHMA’S CONTRIBUTION AND BRAHMA THEERTHAM.

Legend says that Lord BRAHMA , celebrated a great UTHSAVAM to Lord KUMBESWARA at Kumbakonam , and he along with Lord Kumbeswara and Ambal MANGALAMBIKA sitting over the divine bull (RISHABA VAHANAM) and along with all the courteries (PARIVARA) of Brahma reached the NORTHERN SIDE OF MAHAMAHAM TANK to take AVABRIDHA SNAANAM, bath in Rishaba Lagna . He seated Lord Kumbeswara and Magalambika in a Mandapam called BRAHMA THEERTHA MANDAPM on the northern bank of Mahamaham tank.

Lord Brahma was accompanied by Devendra, Gandharvas, Urakas, Apsara ladies, Moon , Sun, Agni, Sadyal and with divine Vaadyams (band) reached Mahamaham tank escorting Lord \kumbeswara and Mangalambika.

At the same time the temple deities of all the temples in Kumbakonam too arrive in that place to offer THEERTHAM.

Even now we find Lord KUMBESWARA, LORD NAGESWARA , LORD VISWESWARA, LORD ABIMUKESWAR, LORD SOMESWAR, LORD GAUTHAMESWAR< LORD KALESHWAR< LORD KOTEESWAR< LORD BAANESWAR coming to offer THEERTHAM from their respective abodes.

WHY TAKE BATH IN MAHA MAHAM TANK ?

There is no THEERTHAM equivalent to this MAHA THEERTHAN in all the THREE LOKAS ; that cleanses sins including Brahmahaththi.

1. If you perform NAMASKARAM once to this theertham , you will acquire the PUNYAM of performing namaskarams to all the DEVAS.
2. If you circumambulate (pradakshinam – go around) the Maha Maahm tank once , you will acquire the PUNYAM of circumambulating (pradakshinam – go around) 100 times of THE  EARTH.
3. If you take bath (immerse your self – SNAANAM) on Maha Maham you will get the benefit of residing in the region of Ganga and immersing in Ganga three times of a day.
4. If one take snanm ( immersing one self) on MAHAM,  in the BRAHMA THEERTHAM ,  situated in the Northern side of the tank , gets the benefit of worshipping and satisfying the fore fathers in

a.   His gothra b. his wif’s gothra c. his mothers birth gothra (matha maha gothra) and like wise 101 ancestor’s acquire SATHGATHI , good position in the after world.

AND if he takes SNANAM on MAHAMAHAM DAY then three crores of ancestors acquire SATHGATHY.

BRAHMA THERRTHAM and BENEFITS OF SNANAM IN IT

The above benefits are as told by BRAHMA to NARADHA

ब्रह्मतीर्थे सकृतस्नानम् यह करोति सुभान्थिथा:|

उठ्ठारे सप्तः गोठरानी कुलमगोथराम साथम|

महामाहे सकृतस्नानम् थ्रिकोटी कुलमुठठारेथ||

ப்ரம்ஹ தீர்த்தே சக்ருத் ஸ்நானம்  யஹ் கரோதி சுப்ஹதிதஹ |

உத்தரே சப்த கோத்ராணி குலமேகோத்ரம் சதம்|

மகா மாஹே சக்ருத் ஸ்நானம் த்ரிகோடி குலமுத்தறேத்.||

Brahma continues and tells Narada

தர்ஷநாத் பிரம்மா தீர்தஷ்ய மகா கௌக நிவாரணம் |

சர்வா பீஷ்ட மவாப்னோதி சத்யம் சத்யம் ஹி நாரத ||

दरसनाथ ब्रह्मतीर्थस्य महा कोका निवारणं

सर्वाभीष्टमवाप्नोथी शाठ्यम शाठ्यम नारदः ||

If you take snaanam on other days you will get the benefit of doing SAPTH KRUCHCHRAM.

But OH Narada ,” If you have a DARSHAN of this Brahma theertham, all sins would be cleansed and all desires would be fulfilled; this is primordial truth SATHYAM ! SATHYAM!.

Brahma further tells Narada

ஸ்ரியம் வித்யாம் ஜயஞ்சைவ கீர்திமாயுஹு பரம் வாசு |

புத்திர பௌத்ர சம்ருத்திச்ச பிரம தீர்த்த நிவேஷநாத் ||

श्रियं विद्याम जयांचैवा कीर्तिमयु : परम वसु |

पुत्र पौत्र समृतिश्चा ब्रम्हाथीरता निवेशनाथ ||

ஒருவன் லக்ஷ்மியையும் , கல்வியையும், ஜயத்தையும், கீர்த்தியையும், நீண்ட ஆயுளையும் , சிறந்த ஐஸ்வர்யத்தையும் , புத்திரர்கள் , பேரப்பிள்ளைகள் ஆஹிய சம்வ்ருத்திகளை , பிரம்மா தீர்த்தத்தில் ஸ்நானம் செய்வதால் அடைகிறான் .

A person acquires wealth, education, victory, fame, longevity, immence Iswaryam, sons, grandsons by taking snaanam , immersion in brahma theertham.

THUS WE SEE THE POWER OF BRAHAMA THEERTHAM

East of Brahma theertham KUBERA THEERTHAM IS PRESENT. Immersing one self in kubera theertham will make one wealthy.

East of Kubera theertham and towards the north of INDRA THERTHAM,  EASANA  THEERTHAM IS PRESENT. The water in Easaana theertham will cleanse mountainous sins.

KANYA THEERTHAM

Situated at the centre of Maha Maham tank. Legend says this well contains 66 crore theerthams . One who immerses in the water of this well is deemed to have immersed himself in all the theerthams of the universe.

Brahma tells Naradha

षट्षष्टि कोटि तीर्थानि संभूया किला नारदः |

कन्यतीर्थे मध्याके वासं कुर्वंति निठयासा||

ठाठ तीर्थ स्नान करनाथ सर्व तीर्थ फ्लेम लाबेथ.

ஷத்ஷஷ்டி கோடி தீர்தானி சம்பூய கில நாரத |

கண்யாதீர்த்தே மத்யபாகே வாசம் குர்வந்தி  நித்யசஹ|

தத் தீர்த்த ஸ்நான  கரநாத் சர்வ தீர்த்த பலம் லபேத் ||.

BAGEERATHY THEERTHAM

At the centre of Brahma theertham and Vayu theertham, BAGEERATHY THEERTHAM exista. The GANGA in the water exists PERENNIALLY EVERY DAY.

Brahma further tells Naradha

தத்ர ஸ்நானான் நரோயாதி வைகுண்டம் நாத்ர சம்சயஹ|

தத்ர ஸ்நானான் நரோயாதி கைலாசம் நாத்ர சம்சயஹ ||

ठठरा स्नानां नरोयाथी वैकुण्डम नात्र संसयथि |

ठठरा स्नानां नरोयाथी कैलासँ नात्र समस्याः ||

One who tahe snaanam in Baageerathy theertham may seek as they wish vaikundam or kailaasam. More over thay would get the benefit of staying at Kasi and taking snaanam temtousand time at Kasi.

REVERENCE OF KANCHI PARAMACHAARYA

Poorva jagath guru Sri Kanchi Paramaacharyaa Sri.Chandrasekara Saraswathy , used to take snaanam at the Bageerathy theertham on Mahamaham day.

It is said GANGA ACTUALLY APPEARS during Rishaba Lagna on Mahamaham day. It is said copious bubbles appear at that time in the well.

THE TWENTY WELLS OF MAHA MAHAM TANK

1.VAYU THETHEERTHAM

   This is found on the north west side of the maha maham tank. From this one must proceed in PRADAKSHINAM direction.

2. BAGEERATHY THEERTHAM (GANGA THEERTHAM)

     This theertham used to attract our Paramacharya of Kanchi on maha maham day.

3. BRAHMA THEERTHAM

4. YAMUNA THEERTHAM

5. KUBERA THEERTHAM

6. GODHAVARI THEERTHAM

7. EASAANA THEERTHAM

8. NARMADA THEERTHAM

9. INDRA THEERTHAM

10. SARASWATHY THEERTHAM.

11. AGNI THEERTHAM

12. CAUVERY THEERTHAM

13. YAMA THEERTHAM

14. KUMARI THEERTHAM

15. NIRRUTHI THEERTHAM

16. BAYOSHNI (Paalaru) THEERTHAM.

17. DEVA THEERTHAM.

18. VARUNA THEERTHAM,

19. SARAYU THEERTHAM.

20. KANYAA THEERTHAM.

It is customary to take snaanam in CAUVERY RIVER before entering MAHA MAHAM TANK.

It is believed that one year before Mahamaham , Ganga and all the 66 crore theerthams and all the DEVATHS arrive at the Maha Maham tank.

Hence people do not go to other theerthams or perform marriages during this year.

It is important one must offer DHAANAM to BRAHMINS!! After taking SNANAM.

MAY PEOPLE PROCEED TO KUMBAKONAM WITH FAITH AND RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS OF ALL THE DEVATHAS AND CLEANSE THEIR SINS.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF 1956 MAHAMAHAM by Dr.N.  Ramaanathan, father of the author