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The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, commonly referred to as the Meenakshi Amman Temple, stands as one of the most renowned temples in India and is an essential inclusion in Tamil Nadu tour packages. Dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Siva, the temple is Considered an architectural marvel and was also shortlisted among the top 30 nominees for New Seven Wonders of the World. The temple complex spans approximately 45 acres and is an expansive edifice featuring 14 towering structures and four main entrances. The primary entrance is located on the eastern side, leading into a series of corridors, halls, and shrines embellished with exquisite artwork. Additionally, the temple is celebrated for its year-round festivals, attracting millions of devotees as part of Madurai tour packages. Below is a list of some of the key festivals that one should not miss at the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Tirukalyanam / Chithirai Festival
The Thirukalyanam, also known as the Chithirai Festival, stands as the most significant celebration within the calendar of the Madurai Temple, one of the premier pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu. This festival commemorates the divine union of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwara and spans twelve days during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May). The festivities commence with the hoisting of a flag, and on the eighth day, the coronation of Meenakshi Amman takes place. The following day features a splendid procession in which the goddess is paraded outside the temple. On the tenth day, the celestial wedding, or Thirukalyanam, of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar occurs, drawing a substantial crowd as part of the Madurai tour from Chennai. The wedding procession is led by their son, Lord Subramanya, while Lord Vishnu, acting as Meenakshi's brother, arrives on a golden horse to bestow the bride. This celestial wedding is succeeded by a car festival, and Theertha festival. Given that this period is regarded as particularly auspicious, numerous weddings are conducted in the vicinity of the temple during this time.
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Float Festival / Theppotsav
In addition to the Chithirai Festival, the Float Festival stands out as a significant celebration at the Madurai Meenakshi Temple, among the most prominent places to visit in Madurai. Initiated by King Thirumalai Nayak, the ruler of Madurai, in the 17th century, this festival occurs on the full moon night of the Tamil month of Thai, which typically spans from mid-January to mid-February. On this occasion, the beautifully adorned idols of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar are paraded in a vibrant procession to the expansive Mariamman Theppakulam, transported in golden palanquins and accompanied by musicians and devotees. Once at the Theppakulam, the deities are placed on the banks for worship, bestowing blessings upon the devotees. Subsequently, the idols are transferred onto a lavishly decorated float for a boat ride, adorned with garlands, flowers, lights, lamps, and silken buntings. This festival attracts thousands of devotees and tourists eager to witness this magnificent procession as part of their Madurai tour from Trichy.
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Aavani Festival
The Aavani Festival is observed for 18 days at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple during the month of August, commemorating the coronation of Lord Sundareswar. The initial six days of the celebration are dedicated to Arulmighu Chandrasekarar, while the subsequent twelve days focus on the Panchamoorthies, who are paraded through the Aavani Moola streets in Madurai, among the top places to visit near Chennai. Throughout this period, priests engage in the daily narration of mythological tales concerning Lord Siva through a theatrical performance known as 'Lila,' which features the recitation of 64 miracles attributed to Siva that rescued the city from adversity.
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Oonjal Festival / Festival of Cradle
The Oonjal Festival is a renowned celebration that takes place over ten days in June at the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, one of the most significant pilgrimage sites near Chennai. Throughout this festival, the deities Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar are paraded to a mirror chamber in an elaborate procession, where they are seated in a gently swaying swing for duration of nine days. On the final day, an Abhishekam ritual is conducted for the idols, attracting thousands of devotees who participate in this magnificent event, which is included in various Madurai Luxury packages.
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Navratri
Our list is incomplete without mentioning the famous Navaratri, a magnificent festival celebrated over nine days in Madurai. Among the most prominent festivals of Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Goddess Meenakshi is adorned in different attire each day throughout this period, bestowing her blessings upon devotees at the `Kolu Mandapam' located in Amman Sannidhi. Daily rituals such as Kalpa Pooja and Lakshacharna are conducted within the Amman sanctum. The concluding day features a hair-washing ceremony, during which the Panchamoorthies are paraded through the temple grounds. The entire temple complex is illuminated with colorful lamps, and dolls are arranged artistically to resonate with the hearts of the devotees who visit the temple as part of the Madurai 2-day trip. Additionally, the festival showcases special cultural events, including classical music performances and various traditional art forms from Tamil Nadu, attracting thousands of devotees and tourists as part of Madurai Packages from Coimbatore.
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