Latest news with #MeenakshiSundareswarar
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Madurai Murugan temple consecration to be held on July 14
MADURAI: The Kumbabishekam (consecration) ceremony of the Thiruparankundram Subramaniya Swamy temple, one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan, will be held in the early hours of Monday. Elaborate arrangements have been made by the police and Madurai City Corporation to manage the large turnout of devotees. The rituals will begin at 3 am, with the main Kumbabishekam ceremony scheduled between 5:25 am and 6:10 am. The Maha Deepa Aradhana will be held by 8 am, followed by a grand procession in the evening. Ahead of the festival, the procession deity from Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple was brought to the 16 Kal Mandapam at Thiruparankundram on Sunday evening. Over `2 crore has been spent on restoration and arrangements. To facilitate viewing, 26 LED screens have been installed around the temple premises, and 10 drones have been deployed to sprinkle holy water on devotees. Heavy security and crowd control measures are in place to ensure smooth conduct of the event.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
TN assembly assurance committee inspects various ongoing projects in Madurai district
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Assurance Committee inspected various ongoing project works under various government schemes in the district on Wednesday. Chairperson and Panruti MLA T. Velmurugan, speaking at the review meeting with the officials of various departments, said that about 290 assurances of the previous State Assembly session were taken for review. Of them, he said, 85 assurances were recorded. While 113 assurances were fulfilled, 94 assurances were pending, he added. Of the 94 assurances taken during the recent Assembly session, 25 were fulfilled and 68 were pending, he informed. Mr. Velmurugan lauded the district administration for taking up the work of installing fans and setting up a lactation room at Periyar bus stand immediately after a recommendation was given by the committee. Further, based on the review and inspection, the committee has recommended the State government to construct an additional circuit house in the district at a cost of ₹13.50 crore. He also informed that based on the requests from the public and trade bodies, the committee has recommended the government to avoid land acquisition for expanding the airport runway and constructing an underpass. The committee also inspected various projects undergoing in the district. Starting from inspection of construction works at circuit house, they inspected the CT scan, MRI scan machines at Government Rajaji Hospital and spoke with the patients regarding their needs. Visiting the Periyar bus stand, they discussed having an additional bus stand to avoid overcrowding of buses and passengers. The committee inspected the ongoing renovation works at Veera Vasantharayar Mandapam in Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. The committee also oversaw the construction of an additional space for fire and rescue service personnel at Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, new police outpost construction works at Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy temple at Tirupparankundram, construction of additional paddy storage facility at Tirumangalam, construction of railway overpass at Tirumangalam, construction of new conference hall at Madurai Law College, among others. District Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar, committee members (MLAs) R. Arul (Salem West), S. Aravinth Ramesh (Sholinganallur), A.R.R. Srinivasan (Virudhunagar), K. Thalapathi (Madurai North), M. Boominathan (Madurai South), R. Mani (Omalur), S. Mangudi (Karaikudi), M.K. Mohan (Chennai Anna Nagar), S. Jayakumar (Perundurai), among others were present during the inspection.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Renewing the marital thread
Every year thousands of devotees from far and near gather on the Chithirai streets outside Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple to witness the 'Thirukalyanam', the Celestial Wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar. As per tradition, the women devotees replace their 'Thali' with a new mangalsutra. The devotees also distribute the mangalsutra, vermilion powder and pictures of the presiding deities to fulfil their vow. C. Ashok Bhattar, a priest at Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, said that women devotees tie the new mangalsutra as they believe that the marital bond becomes stronger. Sacred items are distributed by the devotees in a respectful manner on the auspicious day. They do so as it is believed that good deeds reciprocate. Devotees distribute the mangalsutra with the belief and hope that any person unmarried in their family will get married soon. At the 'Thirukalyanam', the devotees pay 'moi' outside the temple and are given a receipt and a gift bag that contains the mangalsutra, vermilion powder and pictures of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar Following the celestial wedding, the devotees head to the 'Thirukalyana Virundhu'. Close to a lakh devotees are treated to a grand feast. The essential materials like rice, ghee, oil and vegetables are contributed by devotees.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
When boys don the role of deities
One of the key elements of the annual Chithirai festival in Madurai is the 'Digvijayam' event. The procession is taken out on the ninth day of the event. The Digvijayam procession takes place after the Pattabhishekam or Coronation and before the Thirukalyanam or Celestial Wedding, when Goddess Meenakshi's battles across eight directions are enacted. Goddess Meenakshi, mounted on 'Indira vimana' is taken out on a procession on the four Masi streets. Lord Sundareswarar along with Goddess Piriyavidai are also taken out on a procession. Thousands of devotees witness Goddess Meenakshi's battles across eight directions. It is enacted by children who are dressed up in traditional costumes. The role of the deities are played by boys who dress up as Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar for the annual event. The children can be seen sitting close to the deity on the temple car during the procession. C. Ashok Bhattar, a priest at Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, said that each year children are chosen for these roles and as per the selection process, only boys below nine years are allowed to enact the Digvijayam ritual. These boys are the sons of the priests of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple.
