Author: S. Vydhianathan and G.
Srinivasan
Publication: The Hindu
Date: March 7, 2004
URL: http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/07/stories/2004030706150100.htm
Lakhs of people took a holy dip
in the Mahamaham tank in this temple town on the occasion of Mahamaham
today.
It being the most auspicious day
when Guru was in Simha Rasi on a Full Moon day in the star Maham in the
Tamil Month of Masi, an occurrence once in 12 years, people from all over
the country came here for a dip in the tank.
Right from midnight last night,
devotees started gathering here, the crowd peaking between 9.30 and 11
a.m. to bathe in the tank during the auspicious time fixed for 10.30- 11.30
a.m.
From 9.30 a.m., colourfully decorated
idols from Siva temples arrived at the tank for ``theerthavari'' (sprinkling
of holy water), amidst chanting of Vedic hymns and Thevaram. For about
an hour, the police were kept on tenterhooks as nearly one lakh people,
who had gathered in the tank, did not move as they wanted to take bath
along with deities. They also waited for Mutt heads, including the Kanchi
Sankaracharya, who arrived a few minutes before the auspicious time to
bless the devotees. When the priests carrying ``trishuls'' (with images
of gods inscribed) took a dip at the auspicious time, thousands of devotees
gathered in the tank for a dip. Immediately after the dip, the devotees
sprinkled holy water from the tank not only on themselves but also on others.
Only when the idols were taken back
after completion of the rituals and the return of the mutt heads, did the
police heave a sigh of relief. The crowd started melting thereafter. Minutes
after the event, a kite circled over the tank, considered a good sign by
devotees. According to them, it signified that things were going in the
right direction.
Meanwhile, idols from Vishnu temples
were taken to ``Chakrapadithurai'' on the banks of the Cauvery, where poojas
and ``theerthavari'' were performed. Here also thousands took a dip at
the auspicious time and sprinkled water on themselves.
P.C. Ramasami, Minister for Hindu
Religious and Charitable Endowments, and R. Vaithilingam, Minister for
Forests and Environment, also took bath in the tank.
According to S. George, Inspector-General
(Central Zone), Tiruchi, about 11 lakh people took a holy dip. Totally
26 lakh people had taken bath in the tank during the 10-day festival.
Earlier in the day, the Kanchi Sankaracharyas,
Sri Jayendra Saraswathi and Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, came to the tank
at 6 a.m. for a dip. Thereafter they offered prayers, sitting on the steps,
for about 20 minutes.
In connection with the festival,
the Postal department released a commemorative stamp. On Friday, a souvenir
on ``Mahamaham - 2004'' was released by Sri Jayendra Saraswathi at a function
held at the Srinivasa Ramanujan Centre of the Shanmugha Arts, Science,
Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA) here.
