Introduction

Madurai gears up for festivities in January-February every year to celebrate the birth anniversary of the popular Nayak king Thirumalai. The tradition of the ‘Float Festival’ came into being in the 17th century when the reigning Nayak king was building a grand palace for himself. Legend has it that he ordered to convert the excavated depression into a lake with an artificial island in the middle of it and dedicated it to Lord Ganesha. Soon he initiated a custom of taking the divine idols for a boat ride on the waters of the lake on his birthday. The grand venue of the very popular Float Festival or ‘Teppothsavam’ is Mariamman Teppakulam, a beautiful square tank spread across 16 acres, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) east of Meenakshi Temple. The lake is fed by the Vaigai River through underground channels.

The day of the Float Festival begins with an elaborate procession of the idols of Meenakshi and Sundereshwar carried out from the Meenakshi Temple. Devotees, tourists and onlookers come out in numbers to witness this grand procession in which bedecked elephants, horses, musicians usher the golden palanquins carrying the deities to the lake. On reaching the Teppakolam (lake), Meenakshi and Sundereshwar are placed in a mandapam on the bank. At this time, the devotees flock around the banks to pay their respects to the deity. Further on, the idols are taken in palanquins and placed on a lavishly adorned raft-like structure complete with flower garlands, silken buntings, paper lanterns and masses of flowers. The crowd cheers on as hundreds of devotees hold on to two big ropes with which the float is drawn. One end of the rope is pulled by men on the central island, and the other by those on the bank.

Little by little the great float drifts away from the shore to begin its circuit around the island. After a couple of rounds at a slow and steady pace - which takes more than three hours - the embellished raft heads for the central island where it stations till evening. Soon after, the devotees begin their boat trips into the lake to pay tribute to the deities. As daylight fades, the lake comes aglow with a myriad colors and lights reflected from the island shrine on its still surface. All the five towers of the island temple glitter with colored light - add to it a sky filled with brilliant pyrotechnics. Subsequently, a gun fires and the float lights up with strings of colored electric bulbs, fluorescent tubes and a maze of floodlights, turning the raft into a spectacle of lights.

At this hour, the clamor around the lake reaches a crescendo with the crowd jumping joyously to the first display of firework on the shore, followed by an answering bouquet of red and green flares up from the island. The fireworks continue as the float makes its slow round of the lake, and the merrymakers fold their hands in obeisance. On completing one full round, the raft sails back to the shore, and the divine idols are unloaded to be taken back to the main temple. This is followed by the enactment of the scenes from the legend relating to the deities. The idols are finally mounted on a beautifully decked golden horse to return to the Meenakshi Temple with great ceremony.

Special Attributes

Nighttime affords a spectacular view of the water and the island in its centre, as it comes alive with thousands of glittering lights and vivid colors.

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Dress is whatever you find comfortable.

Connectivity

From the bus stand and railway station, buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available to reach the temple. From airport too, which lies at the distance of 10 kilometres from the city, taxis and auto rickshaws are available for the site.

Enjoyed by

Families, Backpackers, Senior Citizens

Exposure

You will mostly be outdoors. The sun could be harsh in the noon - you are advised to carry a cap, sunshades and a bottle of drinking water.

Avoidable Season

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Facilities

The main Meenakshi Temple is just 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from the tank.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction.

Tip

It is a daylong activity, and involves a fair bit of walking. Put on your walking shoes, and take extra care of your wallet, camera and other belongings as it is a gathering of thousands.

Type of site

Float festival in Madurai