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About Float Festival

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About Float Festival

The Float Festival, or Theppa Thiruvizha, is one of the most beautiful festivals of Madurai. It is held on Thai Poosam, in January or February, at the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, a huge square temple tank with a small shrine on an island in the middle.

On the day, the festival images of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar are brought from the Meenakshi temple and placed on a large raft, the teppam, decorated with flowers and lights. The raft is pulled around the tank by ropes, and it goes round again in the evening, glowing with lamps.

The tank was built by King Thirumalai Nayak in the 17th century. The earth dug out for it is said to have been used to make the bricks for his palace, and the tank is fed by channels from the Vaigai river.

Many other temples in Tamil Nadu hold their own teppam on their sacred tanks through the year, but Madurai's on Thai Poosam is the best known.

How people celebrate Float Festival

  • Deities sailing on a decorated raft
  • The raft pulled round the tank by ropes
  • Lamps and lights on the water at night
  • Prayers at the island shrine
  • Flower garlands and kolam at home
  • Visiting the Meenakshi temple

How to wish well

  • Send wishes on the morning of Thai Poosam, or in the evening when the lit raft goes round.
  • "Theppa Thiruvizha Nalvazhthukal" is a simple Tamil greeting.
  • Blessings of Meenakshi Amman and Sundareswarar suit the day well.

Questions about Float Festival

When is the Madurai Float Festival 2027?

It is held on Thai Poosam in the Tamil month of Thai. In 2027 it is on 23 January; see the date shown on this page.

Where is the Float Festival held?

At the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, a large temple tank in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

What happens at the Float Festival?

The festival images of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are placed on a decorated raft and taken around the temple tank, once by day and again at night with lamps.

Who built the Madurai Teppakulam?

King Thirumalai Nayak built it in the 17th century. It is fed by channels from the Vaigai river.

Is the Float Festival the same day as Thaipusam?

Yes. Madurai's Float Festival is held on Thai Poosam, the same day Murugan devotees keep Thaipusam.

What do you say on the Float Festival?

Say "Happy Float Festival" or, in Tamil, "தெப்பத் திருவிழா நல்வாழ்த்துகள்".

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