Float Festival - Madurai Tourism

Teppothsavam or Theppathiruvizha, the float festival, is celebrated in Madurai on Magh Purnima (Thai Pournami), the Full Moon day in Thai Month of Tamil Calendar (around Jan-Feb). On this Thai Pournami day, the idols of Goddess Meenakshi and her consort Lord Sundareshwarar are taken to a big lake called ‘Teppakolam’. They are taken to the lake by the means of a grand procession and great fanfare. The idols are then made to rest on a small jubilantly decorated boat (or float) called ‘Teppa’ and offered special pujas (prayers) at Teppakolam lake as traditional music fills the background. The procession is truly slpendid with the deites in their pearl crowns coming ‘riding’ atop a gold bull from the Meenakshi temple. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists gather around the walls of the lake to view the festivities. The normally placid waters of the lake turn colorful when the mandapam is lit up after sunset and decorated with fresh flowers, flickering oil lamps, serial lights and other paraphernalia.

Teppotsavam originated in the 17th century when King Tirumalai Nayakar ruled the local kingdom. Back in those days, King Tirumalai Nayakar wanted to build a new palace for himself. A great excavation was carried out by his workers and to make this excavation successful the King built a sixteen acre lake near place and connected the same with River Vaigai. He also built a temple for Lord Ganesha in the middle of the lake. Since then, he initiated the ritual of Teppotsavam or Boat festival which took place on his birthday (which falls on Thai Pournami) every year.

Madurai Teppotsavam or Thai Pournami is also celebrated as Thaipusam by Tamil communities all over the world.

Today, Mariamman Theppakulam in Vandiyur, 5km south east of Meenakshi Temple is one of the the largest Temple tanks in South India. Currently, the tank measures 1,100 ft by 950ft almost a perfect square, has an island pavilion in the center with a garden and temple which enshrines an idol of Lord Vigneshwara (or Ganesha), the elephant-faced god. The placid waters of the tank turn colorful when the island pavilion is lit up and the temple deities are brought to it in decorated floats. The tank is connected to River Vaigai through underground channels.

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