Madurai’s Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple witnessed a major influx of devotees on October 2 as the Mandala Puja, held after the September 17 Maha Kumbabhishekam, concluded. More than one lakh devotees visited the temple for darshan on the closing day, according to temple administration information. The sanctum doors of the Swami and Amman shrines remained open throughout the day as devotees continued to arrive.
The Maha Kumbabhishekam was conducted on September 17 after a gap of 17 years, followed by Mandala Puja beginning on September 18. There is a belief among devotees that those who could not have direct darshan of the deity on the day of the Kumbabhishekam would receive the same benefit by having darshan during the Mandalabhishekam period. The Mandala Puja concluded on October 2.
The concluding rituals began on the previous evening. Yaga rituals were conducted near the Swami shrine and the Navagraha shrine, with sacred water placed in four principal kalasas. After the two scheduled pujas on the concluding day, at around 9.30 a.m., Sivacharyas carried the four principal kalasas along with 108 kalasas each for the Amman and Swami shrines in a ceremonial procession.
During the Uchikala Puja, Meenakshi Amman and Sundareswarar were given abhishekam with the sacred water from the 108 worshipped kalasas. This marked the completion of the Mandala Puja. A special Deeparadhana was subsequently performed and prasadam was distributed to devotees.
Crowds began gathering around the temple from around 3 a.m., even before the temple opened. The temple opened at 5 a.m. and devotees were allowed inside. Since the flow of devotees continued from early morning until night, the doors of the Swami and Amman sanctums were not closed even once. Long queues formed along Chithirai Veethi, with many devotees reportedly waiting between four and six hours for darshan.
Special darshan tickets were not issued after 11 a.m. Temple administration information stated that more than one lakh devotees had darshan from early morning through the night. It has also been stated that keeping the sanctum open continuously, including during the afternoon, for devotees’ convenience was a first for the temple.
Devotee Rush and Arrangements
Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Chithirai Veethi, Swami shrine, Amman shrine, Navagraha shrine
More than one lakh devotees in a single day, four-to-six-hour waits, sanctum doors kept open throughout the day
Mandala Puja conclusion, 108-kalasa abhishekam, special Deeparadhana, distribution of prasadam
September 17 Maha Kumbabhishekam, September 18 Mandala Puja began, October 2 conclusion, devotees arrived from 3 a.m., temple opened at 5 a.m., special darshan tickets stopped after 11 a.m.
The temple administration stated that daily attendance during the Mandala Puja period had been around 40,000 to 50,000 devotees, while the crowd increased substantially on the concluding day amid consecutive holidays.
