Thula Snanam

THULA SNANAM

2020  

Thula Masam starts on 17th October 2020, Kadai Muga Snanam on 15th Novermber 2020 and the Mudavan Muzhukku is on 16th November 2020.

2018

Thula Snanam in cauvery begins on 18th October 2018 and ends on Kadai Mugam on 16th Novemebr 2018.  Mudavan Muzhukku (முடவன் முழுக்கு)  is on 17th November 2018

2017

Thula Snanam in cauvery begins on 18th October 2017 and ends on Kadai Mugam on 16th Novemebr 2017.  Mudavan Muzhukku (முடவன் முழுக்கு)  is on 17th November 2017, the first day of Tamil Month Karthigai.  In Srirangam, Cauvery water theertham will be taken on golden kalasam atop the elephant to abishekam to Sree Ranganathar.  Cauvery theertham will be taken for abishekam in Mayiladuthurai temples also.

Updated on 09 10 2016.
Tamil month Aaippasi starts on 17th October 2016 and Thula Snanam commences on that day.  

                                                     TALAKKAVERI

                                   Thula Snanam at Cauvery, Tiruchy

                      

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 pre-determined 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 Mayiladuthurai

                               At Srirangapatna in Karnataka

                                

                                                 Cauvery at Mukkombu  

             

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 on back 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 Tula month took a strenous journey - but he could not make it to before the end of the month - he was one day late (i.e. the Tula month ended the day before).  Mayilaaduthurai  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) ended.  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.