Madurai, Sept 17:
The much-awaited Maha Kumbabhishekam of the historic Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai was performed today, marking the consecration of the temple after a gap of 17 years. The event drew drawing lakhs of devotees to the Temple City.
Sacred water-filled kalasams qere taken in procession before the consecration rituals. Holy water was first be poured over the golden vimanas of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, followed by the temple’s Rajagopurams.
The consecration follows elaborate preparatory rituals that began on September 6. Special yagasala pujas were conducted in the temple premises, with 184 yaga kundams and 56 yagasalas constructed for the rituals. Sacred water from the Ganga at Kashi and seven other holy rivers was brought for the consecration ceremony.
With lakhs of devotees witnessing the historic event, elaborate arrangements were made across Madurai. Around 6,000 police personnel were deployed, while more than 200 CCTV and facial-recognition cameras were used for surveillance and crowd management.
Special buses, parking facilities, medical camps, drinking-water points and public amenities have been arranged for devotees.