India is a land of sacred Mountains, Rivers and innumerable Temple strewn about the country. The Hindus attach importance to the conjunction of planets in certain Zodiacs and there are some places like Haridwar, Prayag, Varanasi, Rajahmundry and Vijayawada where baths in the Rivers nearby during Kumba Mela occurring once in 12 years are considered holy, and millions assemble from far and near to participate in the festivals and feel they are refreshed spiritually and bodily. Similarly there are places like Kurukshetra, Ujjain and Kumbakonam where people once in 12 years assemble and take bath in the Holy Tanks within these towns.
Tamil Nadu State is fortunate is having within it an ancient city of Holy traditions in Kumbakonam where once in 12 years occur the great Mahamaham festival which attracts about 50 lakhs of pilgrims from far and near. In the whole state, this is the only places having such tradition and importance where a mela is held once in 12 years. The festival is an occasion of highly religious and spiritual importance. A bath in the Mahamaham tank on the day when the moon comes in the months on Kumba (masi) when the Sun travels in Leo in considered very holy.
