Thula Snanam – Holy Bath in River Kaveri in Tamil Nadu

Thula Snanam, also referred as Tula Punya Snanam, is an important bathing ritual observed in Tamil Nadu. It is observed in the Tamil Month Aippasi (October – November), which is also referred as Thula – Aipassi. In the month, people wake up in the early morning and take holy dip in the River Cauvery (Kaveri). Puranas like Agni Purana narrates about the importance of the holy bath. Thula Snanam begins on October 17 and ends on November 16 with Muduvan Muzhuku.

Interestingly, during the same period the Kartik Snan takes place in North India. Lord Krishna explained about the importance of this period of year to Satyabhama.

Scriptures indicate that bathing in River Kaveri during Tula-Aipassi month will help in absolving all the sins. Taking a holy dip in morning in Cauvery is equated to taking a dip in Ganga at Prayag and at other holy Tirthas.

Special pujas dedicated to Kaveri are also held during the month.

Temples along the banks of Kaveri River attracts large number of devotees during the entire period. Temples like Mayavaram and Srirangam and various temples in Kumbakonam, Tiruchi and other important places along the banks of River Kaveri are the most favored spots.

Story Of Thula Snanam

Goddess Kaveri also wished to have the same status as Ganga. She did a very hard penance for this. To test her devotion, Bhagavan Vishnu came before her as a small child. Kaveri did not know who the child was, but she looked after him with care and love like a mother. Bhagavan Vishnu was very pleased. He showed her all his ten avatars and told her to go to Sara Kshetram (Saranathan Temple is in Thirucherai, a small village near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu) and take a holy bath in the Sara Pushkarani, the temple tank. He also gave her a boon that in the Tamil month of Tula (Aippasi, October-November), she would be considered greater than Ganga.