Madurai in festive mode for grand kumbabhishekam of Meenakshi Amman Temple after 17 years
The historic Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai is undergoing its much-awaited consecration ceremony today (September 17), after a gap of 17 years.
The temple’s towers and several parts of Madurai have been illuminated, while streets around the shrine have undergone extensive cleaning and maintenance ahead of the expected arrival of thousands of devotees.
The city police have introduced extensive security and crowd-control measures for the event. Public movement around the temple will be regulated during the main rituals, which are scheduled to take place between 7.40 am and 8.10 am.
The day’s ceremonies started the maha poornahuthi and kumbha procession scheduled from 4 am. Devotees will be allowed public darshan again from 10 am.
During the main consecration, access to the four Avani Moola streets surrounding the temple will be restricted. Police have also advised people not to gather on the rooftops of ageing or structurally weak buildings to watch the rituals, citing the risk of accidents.
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister S. Ramesh said an inter-departmental control room had been established at Puthu Mandapam, opposite the temple’s east rajagopuram, to coordinate arrangements during the large gathering.
Medical centres staffed by government doctors and nurses have been set up at the temple and nearby areas. These facilities will be supported by round-the-clock 108 ambulance services.
Large LED displays have also been installed at important congregation points so devotees can watch the ceremony from outside the immediate temple area.
The festivities began on September 16 with the consecration of the Parivara Murthis, or subsidiary deities, between 5 am and 6 am.
The main kumbabhishekam on September 17 will include the simultaneous consecration of the golden vimanas and rajagopurams. The sacred kalasas will also be used for the abhishekam of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.