Devotees visiting the historic Mahamaham Tank in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, were shocked on Sunday after black, foul-smelling sewage water was seen flowing into the sacred tank through its inlet channel, triggering widespread outrage among residents and pilgrims.
Videos showing the contaminated water entering the tank circulated widely on social media, prompting public concern over the condition of one of Tamil Nadu’s most revered temple water bodies.
Devotees Notice Foul Smell
As reported in Dinamani, according to eyewitnesses, visitors who arrived at the tank on 15 March 2026 noticed a strong stench in the area and soon discovered that dark sewage-like water was entering the tank through the inflow channel. Several devotees who had come to perform rituals and take a holy dip were seen turning away in disgust after attempting to sprinkle the water and noticing the foul smell.
The incident sparked immediate demands from residents and social activists for authorities to drain the tank completely and refill it with clean water.
HR&CE Offers Explanation
Officials from the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department stated that the tank is usually filled with water from the Arasalar River through borewells.
According to the department, water had recently been drawn from the river after a long interval, and accumulated waste and sediment in the inflow channel may have entered the tank along with the water. Authorities maintained that the water currently flowing into the tank is clean.
MLA Inspects Site
Following media reports, Sakkottai K. Anbalagan visited the tank to inspect the situation. Municipal corporation workers were subsequently deployed to the site, and the accumulated waste was cleared from the inlet area.
Sacred Site of Major Festival
The Mahamaham tank is among the most sacred water bodies in Tamil Nadu. The Mahamaham Festival, held once every 12 years, attracts nearly one crore pilgrims who gather to take a ceremonial holy dip.
Located near the Kasi Viswanathar Temple complex, the tank is jointly maintained by the HR&CE Department, the Water Resources Department, and the Kumbakonam Municipal Corporation.
However, activists say this is not the first time contamination concerns have surfaced regarding temple tanks in Kumbakonam and have called for long-term structural solutions to prevent sewage inflow into the sacred water body.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
