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Kumbakonam is located at 10.97° N (Latitude) and 79.38° E (Longitude) in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu, South India. Elevation is about 24 metres (78 feet) above sea level. Chennai is about 273 km north, Trichy about 96 km west and Thanjavur about 40 km south-west. The town is bounded by two rivers the Kaveri on the north and Arasalar on the south. As of 2001 census, population is 140,021. Literacy rate is about 78%.

Kumbakonam in ancient days was called Kudanthai. This Kudanthai - in the course of time came to be called Kumbakonam. In devotional literature, Kudanthai was named Kudamookku.

Kumbam is a pot and Konam is a nose.

MAHAMAGAM

The star Maham is a powerful star in the 27 stars group. Every month, once in 27 days, Maham star will have its own Rasi Simha. The festival on Maham star in Masi is said to be Maha Festival.

Once in every 12 years, Masi Maga Magam is celebrated as a sacred festival attracting huge sea of people all over the sacred land. This maham day of Masi month is called a day of Mamangam. This Mamangam has been in the course of time has been named as Maha Magam festival.