An old woman takes holy bath at the Kumbakonam Mahamaham pond on the occasion of the Mahamaham festival 2016 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. (PTI Photo)
The nine-day Mahamaham festival, known as the 'Kumbh Mela of the south', concluded in Tamil Nadu's Kumbakonam today, with conduct of the most important event 'theerthavari', witnessed by lakhs of people.
The theerthavari event is considered the most sacred to take a holy dip in the Mahamaham tank.
Police said more than five lakh people took a holy dip in the tank today.
Since February 13, more than 25 lakh people have taken a holy dip as part of the festival, which falls once in 12 years.
Official sources said deities from 12 Shiva temples were taken in a procession to the banks of the tank and pujas were performed before the Theerthavari was held.
At nearby Chakarapadithurai, deities from five Vaishnava temples were taken in a procession to the banks of the river Cauvery, pujas performed and Theerthavari ritual held there also, the officials said.