A sea of devotees gathered along the four Masi streets in Madurai to witness the grand ‘Therottam’—the iconic temple car procession of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple—marking the second-to-last day of the Chithirai festival.
Before the ceremonial journey began, the adorned idols of Goddess Meenakshi, Lord Sundareswarar, and Goddess Piriyavidai were respectfully brought to the ‘Thermutti’ on East Masi Street. This is where the colorfully embellished wooden temple chariots, steeped in historical and spiritual significance, were waiting.
Following traditional rituals and pujas performed by the temple priests, the procession began at precisely 6:35 a.m. Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Piriyavidai were seated in the grander chariot, while the smaller one carried the radiant idol of Goddess Meenakshi. Adorned in luxurious silk attire and glittering gold jewellery, all three deities were a magnificent sight to behold.
A 300-meter-long rope, known as ‘vadam,’ was pulled by thousands of enthusiastic volunteers. Devotees chanted fervently as the temple cars slowly rolled down the route. Every corner of the Masi streets was packed, with rooftops and terraces also teeming with onlookers. Children on their parents’ shoulders tried to catch glimpses of the deities, while bright canopies and vibrant motifs danced in the wind, creating a truly mesmerizing sight.
The community played its part in the festive spirit—many locals set up stalls distributing prasadam such as buttermilk, cold drinks, water bottles, food parcels, and even hand fans to relieve the heat. Visitors queued eagerly at these stalls, some even packing extra portions to share with their families back home. Traditional merchandise, toys, and decorative items added to the buzzing marketplace atmosphere.
The event was tightly coordinated with heavy police deployment, stationed fire trucks, ambulances, and diligent sanitation workers who ensured the area remained clean throughout. By 1 p.m., the car procession gracefully concluded.
Temple inscriptions reveal that this tradition began around 700 years ago during King Veerapandian’s rule. The temple chariots still in use today were built around 380 years ago by King Thirumalai Nayak, preserving the vibrant cultural heritage of Madurai
