4 lakh devotees expected for Mahamaham

Four lakh devotees are expected to converge at the 'Jatamakuta theertham', here on February 22, as part of Mahamaham festivities.
Apart from the Kumbakonam Mahamaham Tank, the 'Jatamakuta Theertham', which is situated in the island, is also famous for Mahamaham festivities celebrated once in 12 years.
"The area around the temple and the tank has been cleared of bushes and a road has been laid," said C Selvaraj, Joint commissioner of Ramanathaswamy temple, which administrates the 'theertham' (holy tank) and the nearby Shiva temple.
The authorities have made arrangements for sprinkling water on devotees as it would not be possible for four lakh devotees to take bath in the tank.

The temple tank is considered sacred by devotees as the believe Lord Rama himself had taken a bath there.
The ten-day Mahamaham festival kicked off yesterday with a flag hoisting ceremony at the Aadhi Kumbeshwarar temple in Kumbakonam.