The Mahamaham Tank is a huge temple tank located right in the heart of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. It's considered one of the biggest and most important temple tanks in the state.
The tank itself is a trapezoidal shaped sprawl of water covering an impressive 21 acres. The tank is lined with sixteen small shrines, or mandapams, and has a fascinating feature of 21 wells built right within the tank itself. Half the wells are named for the Hindu god Shiva, while the other half are named after India's most holy rivers.
The Mahamaham Tank is most famous for the Mahamaham festival, a massive Hindu pilgrimage and festival that takes place every 12 years. During this festival, nearly 2 million people will throng to the tank to take part in ritual bathing and other religious ceremonies. There's also a less crowded festival held every year called Masimaham which draws around 100,000 visitors.
- Getting There: The Mahamaham Tank is located about 1 kilometer from the Kumbakonam Railway Station. You can easily take an auto rickshaw or taxi to get there.
- Things to See and Do: The main attraction, of course, is the tank itself. Take a walk around the perimeter and admire the architecture of the mandapams. You can also dip your toes in the water, but be aware that some visitors report that the water quality isn't the greatest. There are several Shiva temples located around the tank that you can visit as well.
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Mahamaham Tank is during the Mahamaham festival, which takes place every 12 years. The next one is scheduled for 2028. If you can't make it during the festival, any time of year is fine to visit the tank.
- Things to Keep in Mind: There is no entrance fee to visit the Mahamaham Tank. Since it is a religious site, be sure to dress modestly. Also, be aware that the area around the tank can get quite crowded, especially during festivals.