About mahamagam tank
If there is a tank held to be more sacred than Ganges, it is only the Mahamagam Tank at Kundandai. As Kumbamelas are celebrated in rivers, Mahamagam is celebrated in this tank.
The Mahamagam occurs once in 12 years. In Kodaikanal a shrub called kurnji flowers bloom only once in 12 years. Research scholars opinion is that these occurrences once in 12 years are due to planetary effect. They have also noted that sun-spots in larger numbers occur once in 11 years, and that they are responsible for certain events in the earth. Great revolutions such as French Revolution, Russian Revolution, Spain and Hungarian Revolutions took place only when the sun-spots appeared in large numbers.
We all know that tides are caused by planets and the water-balance of our body are equalized at that time Sun-spots earthquakes too. Further it has been found that Jupiter that revolves around the sun taking 12 years, cause a larger number of sunspots, when it nears the sun.
During the month Masi, the sun is in Simha Rasi. In that the star Maga happens on a full moon day. It is also generally accepted that full moon day. It is also generally accepted that full moon and new moon days intensify sickness, and death. In villages when a doctor is asked about the condition of a critical patient, he will reply that he can give a correct position only after the new moon day. And to protect oneself from sickness, we are advised to bathe in sacred tanks and rivers. In Mahabharata there is even a special chapter called Tirtha Yatra Sargam (Bathing in holy waters)
Once in 12 years, with Sun in Simha Rasi, and Jupiter (Guru) dominant the effect of Sun, Jupiter and Moon, changes occur in the body and earth. And to prevent any calamity, bathing in holy water have been prescribed. For all movements in the universe, magnetic force and attraction is essential. During certain periods when sunspots are in increased numbers, sickness results due to the nature of the prevailing soil (earth). In places where magnesium is prevalent in greater quantities, the magnetic force is stored. When that chemical mixes with water in that place the ill-effects are at a low-level. When puranas declare that one gets rid of the sin by bathing in these places, it means that they replace the lost magnetic force by bathing in waters rich in that energy.
Aham means sin, Ma means will not approach. So the term Mahamaham means a place where no sin will approach. It will also mean that (Maha) sins will be removed. According to the purana, when the deluge subsided, the place where the mango leaves kept on the nectar pot fell it became a Vanni tree, the Kusa grass became a vilva tree. A lingam sprouted under the Vilva tree too. In the Vilva grove a Patala Linga appeared and the sacred thread twinted round the pot became a Lingam.
We have read that Siva in the guise of a hunter pierced the Nectar Kalasa (pot). The hunter came and stood in a place, and this became Thiruvidaimarudur. The Deity in that place is called Mahalingam. The place where he shot the arrow (Bana) became Banapuri. This place is to the north-east, near Cauvery river. The nectar from the pot spilled in five places, Swamimalai, Darasuram, Thiru Nagesvaram, Thiruvidaimarudur and Karuppur. They became Panchakrosa sthalas.
The nectar represents the magnetic energy. When the legend states that nectar was mixed with earth it means that part of the earth was magnetized. We all know of Magnetic Therapy to cure some rare diseases.
The tank is spread over 20 acres and is not a proper rectangle. The north and south banks are a little curved in the centre and from an aerial view looks like a pot. There are 16 temples all round it, four in the north ,three in the south, three in the west, two in the east and on in the corners. All are Lingams. Hence they are called Shodasa (16) Mahalingas.
People from all parts of India come and bathe here and history records that Krishnadeva Raya, the Vijayanagara King bathed in a Mahamagam in the 16th century. Puranas proclaim that it has 16 crores of sacred pools within.
During the year when Mahamagam occurs, people desisted from performing marriages for the reason that at that period, some serious sickness will be prevalent throughout the region.
The sixteen temples that adorn the banks of this tank was built by Govinda Dikshitar. In a mandapa in the north-east corner of the tank, he weighed himself in gold and gifted away that gold. Such a practice was common among kings in those days and was called “Hiranya Garbam”.
Brahma Tirthesar, Mukundesar, Thalesar, Rishabesar, Baraneswar, Konesar, Bhaktihesar, Bairavesar, Agathisar, Vyasesar, Umaibahesar, Nairuthesar, Brahmisarm Gangataresar, Muktatrithesar, Kshetrapalesar are the 16 temples that adorn the banks of the tank. The chiefs of the nine rivers numbering nine are also in the north bank.
In the north-west corners is the Brahma Tirthesar temple. In its front is a beautiful mandapa with sculptures that is called the Thulabara Mandapam. It was in that Mandapa that Govinda Dikshitar weighed himself in gold.
Starting from the north-west corner going round the tank and completing the circuit, we come across 19 tirthas, and adding that at the centre of the tank it comes to 20. They are Vayu, Ganga, Brahma, Yamuna, Kubera, Godavari, Esanya, Narmada, Indran, Saraswati, Agni, Cauvery, Nagam, Kumari, Nriti, Payoshni, Devan, Varunan, Sarayu, Kanya. The last mentioned Kanya tirtham is equal to 66 crores of Tirthas.
During the Mahamagam festival, the tank will be emptied and only knee deep water will be kept for safety. The nine springs in the tank provide water to the tank.
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