Temple Car - Madurai Tourism

The temple cars or “Thers” are two large chariots or temples on wheels which are used to carry deities around the streets of the city. The thers are so large that they tower above some houses and they are pulled around the city by able bodied men.The stone base is full of intricate carvings. The structure above is built newly every year – it is made of bamboo, cloth, etc. The gopuram of the ther is in the same style as the Mariamman / Vandiyoor Theppakulam i.e. Pallavan style.

The complex multi-layered symmetry is balanced on large wheels. It is said that the bases were built by King Thirumalai Nayak. After the festivals and processions the bases are hidden away from the elements of nature as well as vandals.