Madurai’s Meenakshi Amman Temple will conduct its Kumbhabhishekam on Wednesday, marking the first such consecration ceremony in 17 years. Preparations are underway at the temple complex ahead of the event.
According to the schedule, the Kumbhabhishekam will be performed at 7:40 am for the Amman and Swami golden vimanas and the Rajagopurams, at 7:55 am for the Amman shrine, and at 8:10 am for the Swami shrine. For other deity shrines, rituals are planned between 5:00 am and 6:00 am.
Security has been strengthened with 6,500 police personnel deployed under Madurai Police Commissioner Rajendran. After the ceremony, devotees will be released in phases to prevent crowding on upper levels, with barricades put in place for regulated movement.
Officials said entry to the Chithirai streets will be restricted for devotees without passes until 10:00 am on the day, based on the outflow from the temple. The commissioner also said crime-prevention teams have been formed across the state, with arrangements to identify offenders using mobile-based facial recognition.
For logistics, 1,000 sanitation workers from other districts have been brought in for cleaning duties. Parking has been arranged at locations including Keelaveli Veethi and the Old Central Market, while 650 special buses will operate with five temporary bus stands. The Madurai Government Hospital has been instructed to keep medical teams on standby from Sep 16 to 18. The temple administration has announced that paid darshan will not be available from Sep 17 to Sep 20.
