Madurai’s Meenakshi Amman Temple will host its Maha Kumbhabhishekam on Thursday, the first such consecration in 17 years. With lakhs of devotees expected to gather, authorities have stepped up security and crowd-management arrangements.
The main ritual is set to take place between 7:40 am and 8:10 am. Temple officials said 9,000 people will be permitted on the temple’s upper level to witness the Kumbhabhishekam, while general darshan for devotees will be allowed after 10:00 am.
As part of the schedule, Kumbhabhishekam for the temple’s subsidiary shrines was held on Wednesday. After the 12th-kala yagasala pooja early Thursday, the holy water procession will begin, followed by consecration for the Amman and Swami golden vimanas and the Rajagopurams at 7:40 am, the Amman shrine at 7:55 am, and the Swami shrine at 8:10 am.
Police Commissioner Rajendran is overseeing security deployment, with 6,500 police personnel on duty. Traffic diversions will remain in force across Madurai district until 10:00 pm, with vehicle movement and parking barred on Chithirai, Avani and Masi streets around the temple; entry of goods and heavy vehicles into the city has also been restricted.
Meanwhile, the Madurai Corporation has identified 37 old buildings in a dangerous condition around the temple and has pasted notices seeking their demolition and removal within a week.
