A pilgrim is required to visit these places first before entering the temple of Adi Kumbeswarar to offer worship. The nectar settled at two places on of which became the famous Mahamakham Tank and the other became Potramarai Kulam (tank of golden lotuses) of Sarangapani temple.

From the drops and spray of the nectar, there arose innumerable holy tanks. Out of the pieces of the broken pot Lord Siva made out a Siva Linga and entered into it. The sthalapurana states that this is the very Linga now enshrined in the temple, and hence the name Adi Kumbeswarar, meaning one who entered the Kumba or vessel long long ago. The Devi is known as Mangala Nayaki.

There are many teerthams in Kumba- konam, of which the Mahamakham tank is well known. The tank covers an area of 20 acres and is surrounded on all sides by picturesque mandapams. These is a belief that it contains a number of other Teerthams in the form of wells. Every year in the month of Magha (February-March) a festival is conducted here and the image of Lord Kumbeswara is taken out in a procession.

The great Mahamakham festival, attracting lakhs of people from far and wide, is celebrated in honour of Sri Kumbeswara- swami and it takes place every 13^th year. The exact time when the festival takes place is the conjunction of the moon with the Makha Nakshatra and Jupiter on the full-moon day of the month of Magha.