Plan your sacred journey to the Grand Temples of South India
Madurai Float Festival, the Thai Teppam at Mariamman Teppakulam
In the Tamil month of Thai, Meenakshi and Sundareswarar leave their temple and ride a decorated float round the great Mariamman Teppakulam tank. The float closes the temple's Thai Poosam festival and draws thousands to the tank's banks.
What happens
- On the festival day, Meenakshi and Sundareswarar go in procession through the city to the Muktheeswarar temple beside the tank for special rituals.
- Local youths pull the float with ropes round the Maiya Mandapam, the island shrine in the middle of the tank. It goes round once in the morning and again in the evening.
- After dark the tank walls and the central mandapam are lit, which is when many families come to watch.
Sources: newkerala.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Where families go
- Timings and guide
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Madurai
The float carries the deities of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, and it closes the temple's twelve-day Thai Poosam festival.
When to go
The float festival falls in Thai (January to February), on Thai Poosam. The day also marks the birth anniversary of King Thirumalai Nayak.
| Date | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Jan 2027Fri | Thai Poosam 2027, float festival expected | Thai Poosam falls on Friday 22 Jan 2027, and the float is usually held that day. The temple has not announced the 2027 date; confirm before you travel. |
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, drikpanchang.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Before you go
- SafetyPolice, fire and rescue teams guard the tank, and traffic round Teppakulam is diverted. Keep children close on the crowded banks and agree a meeting point.
- Good to knowThe temple says daily puja times can change during festivals, so check its site before you plan darshan around the float.
Rituals, fees and timings are set by each temple. Where the temple sells a seva or ticket, book it only on its official channel.
Sources: newkerala.com, maduraimeenakshi.hrce.tn.gov.in · checked 30 Oct 2026
Questions Families Ask
When is the Madurai float festival in 2027?
The temple has not announced it. The float is usually held on Thai Poosam, which falls on 22 Jan 2027, though one news report gives 1 Feb 2027. Confirm before you book.
What happens at the Madurai Teppam festival?
Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are taken to the tank, and devotees pull their float with ropes round the central Maiya Mandapam, once in the morning and again in the evening.
Where is the Madurai float festival held?
At the Mariamman Teppakulam, the large temple tank at Vandiyur, with the Maiya Mandapam shrine at its centre.
Plan your trip for Float festival, Madurai
Opens with this temple already added. See each day with darshan hours, drive times and rough costs.
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