Flag hoisting in Lord Siva temples marks beginning of Mahamaham

The ceremonial flags were hoisted in Adhi Kumbeswara Swamy, Kasi Viswanathar, Abimukheswarar, Kalahastheeswarar and Nageswara Swamy Temples in the presence of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi Mutt, besides the pontiffs of several Saivite mutts.

The heads of various Mutts, including Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, Kumaraswami Thambiran of Dharumapuram Adheenam, Sri Sundaramurthy Swamigal of Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, Thirupanandal Mutt head, took a holy dip, marking the beginning of ‘Punya Snanam’ in the Mahamaham tank. The pontiffs then sat on the tank steps and performed special pujas. Later thousands of devotees took holy dip chanting ‘Jaya Jaya Sankara, Hara Hara Sankara’. 

The festival culminates on February 22 with ‘Theerthavari’, the day lakhs of devotees from various parts of the country and abroad are expected to participate in the grand festival at the tank. 

Meanwhile, Public health officials would test the quality of water in the Mahamaham tank. 

The purity of the water would be tested periodically, an official press release said. 

The ‘rudhraabhishekam’ holy water, after performing the Rudhra (Siva) Yagna at the Mangalambigai Sametha Athikumbeswarar temple here had been poured into the tank after the special poojas.