Madurai Meenakshi temple Kumbabishekam draws thousands of devotees after 17 years

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View of the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai on Thursday in connection with its Kumbabishekam . | Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY

T housands of devotees from far and near witnessed the Kumbabishekam (consecration) of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai on Thursday. The consecration was performed after 17 years. The previous consecration was held in April 2009.

Devotees gathered in large numbers at the temple and on the surrounding streets in the early hours of Thursday to witness the event. Those with passes were accommodated atop the temple mandapams to witness the consecration ceremony.

The Kumbabishekam was performed at around 7.40 a.m. amid the chanting of hymns in Tamil and Sanskrit.

On September 16, Lord Subramaniya Swamy and Goddess Deivanai were brought to the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple from the Thirupparankundram temple for the consecration ceremony.

The rituals began on September 6, while the Yagasala pujas were held at the temple from September 11. Following special pujas in the early hours of Thursday, theertham (holy water) was poured over the kalasams atop the gopurams and the vimanams. The gopurams were decorated with garlands and the entire temple complex was illuminated with lights.

View of the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai on Thursday in connection with its Kumbabishekam. | Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY

As deeparadhana was performed, devotees stood with folded hands and offered prayers. Theertham was sprayed on the devotees using drones and hose pipes, while many collected the sacred water in bottles. Following the consecration ceremony, devotees were permitted to enter the temple for darshan.

Renovation works were carried out ahead of the Kumbabishekam , including 86 projects at a cost of ₹15.40 crore funded by the temple and 100 projects costing ₹16.89 crore funded by donors. The total expenditure was ₹32.29 crore. The renovated Veera Vasantharayar Mandapam was inaugurated on August 30 ahead of the consecration ceremony.

View of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai on Thursday in connection with its kumbabishekam. | Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY

Giant LED screens were installed at strategic locations to enable devotees to witness the event. A large number of police personnel were deployed to ensure the safety and security of devotees and the smooth conduct of the ceremony. Ambulances with medical teams and fire tenders were stationed on the Chithirai streets. Drinking water and mobile toilets were also provided for devotees.

Ministers C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, S. Ramesh, P. Viswanathan, V. Sampathkumar, K. Jegadeshwari and V.K. Rajeev; Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan; MLAs; HR&CE Commissioner T.G. Vinay; Madurai Collector Nishanth Krishna; Corporation Commissioner Gaurav Kumar; Deputy Mayor T. Nagarajan; Board of Trustees Chairperson Rukmini Palanivel Rajan; trustees P.K.M. Chelliah, D. Subbulakshmi, M. Srinivasan and S. Meena; and other officials were present at the Kumbabishekam .

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