400 Year old divine Float festival of Madurai
Location : Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Destination type : Cultural
Madurai is one of the oldest cities in India . The Float Festival of India, Madurai involves the carrying of Goddess Meenakshi and her consort, Lord Sundareshwarar in a procession to the lake where they are taken on a boat ride. This year it is celebrated from 21st January to 2nd February. It is continusly celebrated since 17th century
History of Float festival
- The Float festival was started by King Thirumalai Nayak on 17th century
- The principal ceremony of taking the idols on a boat ride across the lake on the occasion of the King’s birth anniversary came into existence after the King commissioned the construction of the lake over an area of 5 kilometers
- The Mariamman Theppakulam where the float festival happens was built in 1636
Activities for tourists at Float festival
- Visit Meenakshi temple and take part in the procession of the idols of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwarar starts from the main temple
- Take part in the float ceremony in Theppakulam
- Enjoy the fireworks
- Enjoy cultural programs and architecture
- Try out Madurai food
How to reach there
Air
Madurai airport offers domestic flights to some cities in India and international services to Colombo, Dubai and for Singapore
Train
Madurai Junction is the major railway station serving the city. It is connected to major cities in India through railway network
Road
The National Highways NH 7, NH 45B, NH 208 and NH 49 pass through Madurai . Madurai is connected top all major cities in Tamil Nadu by government operated buses and buses run by private travel agencies
Nearby destinations for tour operators / travel agents
- Thekkady (138kms away)
- Kodaikanal (116 kms away)
- Munnar (153 kms away)
- Rameshwaram (170kms away)
- Tutricorin (149kms away)
Some hotels in Madurai for tourists and tour operators with room tariff less than Rs.5000/- per night
The Thangam Grand Hotel http://thethangamgrand.in/
Poppys Hotel http://www.poppyshotels.com/
Hotel Germanus https://germanushotels.com/
M3 Boutique Hotel http://www.m3hotels.com/
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Photo courtesy:By SR – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13797028