Maha Maham Festival Kolam

        Maha Maham is a Hindu festival celebrated every 12 years in the Mahamaham tank located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. This tank is located at the entrance of the Maha Kumbeshwarar temple, Kumbakonam. This festival is celebrated once in twelve years, when the planet Guru (Jupiter) enters Simha (Leo) sign. This festival is celebrated each and every year, which is called Maasi Maham since that festival occurs in the Tamil Month of Maasi (February–March) in the star of Magam. 
         Hindus consider taking a holy dip at the Mahamaham tank on that day as sacred. All the rivers of India are believed to meet at the tank on this day and a purificatory bath in that tank is considered equal to the combined dips in all the holy rivers of India. 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".  
          This year, Maasi Maham festival was celebrated on March 7th. On that day, here is the Kolam of Maha Kumbeshwarar at our pooja room.

"ஆதி சிவன் தாள் பணிந்து அருள் பெறுவோமே 

         அந்த ஆதி சக்தி நாயகனின் துணை பெறுவோமே"