Thula Snana Samapti (Kadaimugam)

Thula Snana Samapti, famously celebrated as Kadaimugam, marks the sacred conclusion of the month-long Thula Snana (Tula Kaveri Snana) on the final day of the solar month of Tula (around November 16 or 17, coinciding with Vrischika Sankramana). Significance of Kadaimugam: Kadaimugam signifies the last and grandest opportunity to take a holy dip in River Kaveri before Mother Ganga and the 33 crore sacred theerthas return to their respective heavenly realms. According to the Skanda Purana, bathing in River Kaveri on the Kadaimugam day confers the accumulated spiritual merit of taking a dip every single day of the entire Thula month. It is especially sacred at Mayiladuthurai (Mayuram) in Tamil Nadu, where the grand Thula Utsavam concludes at the Mayuranathar Temple with the ceremonial Theerthavari of Lord Mayuranatha and Goddess Abhayambika. Pilgrims also gather in large numbers at Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Kumbakonam, and Srirangapatna. Devotees take early morning baths, offer Pitru Tarpanam with sesame seeds and water, and perform Annadana, lighting deepams along the river banks.