Thula Snanam and River Cauvery

Thula snanam

Cauvery at Mayiladuthurai

                                           At Srirangapatna in Karnataka

Thula snanam

Thula Snanam, bath in the Cauvery river is important for the people 
living along the banks of the river Cauvery, both in Karnataka and 
Tamilnadu.   Cauvery has its origin in the Sahyadri hills and flows 
through the plains of the deccan to reach the Bay of Bengal in the 
ancient city of Puhar in Tamil Nadu. On Tulasankramana day (the 
first day of Tula Masa – according to the Hindu calendar, aippasi 
month for tamils, which normally falls in mid October) thousands of 
pilgrims flock to the river's birthplace, Talacauvery, to witness the 
rise of the fountainhead, when water gushes up from the spring at 
a predetermined moment.    Talacauvery is about 8 km away from 
Bhagamandala and 48 km from Madikeri.      The thula snanam 
(Sacred bath in the Tula month) is observed across pilgrim towns 
in Cauvery's banks.       It is believed that taking dip in cauvery 
during thula snanam period is like taking dip in River Ganges 
and other holy rivers.     

                    Cauvery at Mukkombu near Trichy

 

 According to Agni Puraanam,

"Shatshashti koti theerthani dvisaptha bhuvaneshu cha.
Keshavasya aajnayaa yanti thulaamaase marudvridham"

Sixty-six crore Holy Waters in all the 14 worlds come to stay in Cauvery in the 

month of Tula by the Order of Lord Keshava. One may clearly understand the 

glory of having a dip in the Holy River during this Tula Month by the above 

assertion.     Special abhishekam with River Cauvery theertham will be held in
Srirangam, Mayiladuthurai (Maayuram) and other temples. In Srirangam,
Cauvery theertham will be carried in golden pot at the top of elephant for
abhishekam. It is said that a bath in Cauvery during Tula month, a bath in Prayaag
during Magha month and a dip in Sethu during ardhodhayaa  period can be
possible only as a fruit of penance done in ten million lives. These Holy Baths
have the power to remove pancha paatakaas (five major sins that can drag the
Soul down in its ascent towards Divine Realization), and can cause liberation
to the entire line of ancestors. (The scripture actually says "crores of pitrus!")         

Ardhodhaya period occurs when amaavasya of Pushya or Magha month falls on 

day when Sravana nakshatra operates on the day, when Vyaatipaata yoga 

operates, and that day happens to be a Sunday - all these conditions to be 

satisfied simultaneously which happens only very rarely in one's life-time! 

Ardhodhaya period is equal to one crore eclipses in its potential for multiplying 

the effects of meritorious deeds. Lot of mantrik applications are possible only 

during such periods - such is the glory of this period. Tula Mahaatmyam equates 

such ardhodhaya period bath in Sethu with Tula Cauvery Snanam! Those who can
afford a trip to a kshetra along the Cauvery should do so and take a bath in the 

Holy River at least once during this month due to the obvious spiritual benefits that
accrue out of that. Mayilaaduthurai (Maayavaram) is an especially recommended
kshetra for Tula Snanam; other powerful kshetras include Srirangam, 

Thiruveengoimalai (near Tiruchi), Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thiruvisainalloor, 

Kumbakonam.  During the month of Thulam, even if one takes a dip without a 

proper sankalpam, it would earn him/her all the material and spiritual gifts that 

one can aspire for.  It is better to follow the guidance given by the family gurus 

for the prayers for such snanams. However, it is generally felt that the following 

would do. 

"Om Kaaveryai namah"
"Om Lobhaamudraayai namah"
"Om Agasthya Patnyai namah"
"Om sarvapaavanyai namah"
"Om Mahaa Punyaayai namah"

"Om snaana maatra sarva paapa prasamanyai namah"

 "Om Mokshadaatryai namah"

Other stories about thula snanam

1.   It is said that Lord Shiva blessed Nandhi by destroying its pride. This Nandi
is in the midst of Cauvery.  Hence the bath is important for destroying our pride.  
2.  A lame man who wanted to have dip in the Holy River Cauvery during Thula month took a strenous journey - but he could not make it to Mayilaaduthurai before the end of the month - he was one day late (i.e. the Tula
month ended the day before).     Nadha Sharma and his wife Anavidyambikai
came to this place for the Cauvery bath-Thula Snanam.  Before they arrive at
the place, the 30 days time (Aipasi month-October-November) expired.  They
sadly stayed at the night worshipping Lord Shiva.  Lord appeared in their dream
and advised them to have the bath before sunrise the next day and assured
that they would have full benefit of theThula Snanam bath.  Based on this,
the practice of this bath continues even now on the first day of Karthikai month. 
As Lord Shiva froze the bath time for His devotee couple, this bath is called Mudavan Muzhukku.  Mudakku in Tamil means freezing, Muzhukku bath.