Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple kumbabishekam LIVE: Devotees gather in large numbers

Home News India Tamil Nadu The priests are expected to perform the ceremony at the scheduled time between 7.40 a.m. and 8.10 a.m. Updated - September 17, 2026 07:28 am IST The priests carry the holy water to the gopuram at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai ahead of the consecration ceremony on September 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: G. Moorthy As poojas for the consecration ceremony of the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple are set to begin shortly, the devotees holding permit passes arrived in large numbers at the temple premises.Also read : Devotees gather for historic consecration of Meenakshi temple in MaduraiThe entire temple complex has been illuminated with lights and the senior priests, drawn from different temples, carrying the holy water to the multiple towers ( gopurams) decorated with flowers.The priests are expected to perform the ceremony at the scheduled time between 7.40 a.m. and 8.10 a.m.Also read: Madurai’s festival flowers: Champak, marigold and jasmine for the Meenakshi temple KumbabishekamTo manage the crowds, a filtering system based on pass colours—red, yellow, purple, and green—is in place, directing devotees to specific access areas closest to the temple core. Devotees can enter the temple from the west and south towers and exit through the east tower. For any information, the public can also reach out through toll-free numbers 1800-425-6781 and 1800-425-6782, said a spokesman from the Madurai district administration.Follow the live updates below:September 17, 2026 07:28 Minister Nirmal Kumar inspects temple arrangements ahead of ceremonyTamil Nadu Minister for Electricity, Non-Conventional Energy Development C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, who was atop the temple at the location of the ceremony, carried out a surprise inspection of the control room and other arrangements made for the facilitation of devotees. He also checked with the police and officials about the security arrangements made for crowd control.- Palanivel RajanSeptember 17, 2026 07:24 Minister P. Vishwanathan attends consecration of Madurai templeMinister for Higher Education P. Vishwanathan interacts with the Chairperson, Board of Trustee, and Rukmini Palanivel Rajan during the consecration of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai on September 17, 2026.Rukmini Palanivel Rajan is the mother of former DMK Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan.WhatsApp Image 2026-09-17 at 7.20.19 AM.jpegPhoto Credit: R. AshokSeptember 17, 2026 07:17 Crowd breaches security barricades at West GopuramHundreds of devotees pushed down the barricades who approached near the West Gopuram at the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai ahead of the consecration ceremony.Police are trying to control the crowd from breaching the security barricades.- L. SrikrishnaSeptember 17, 2026 07:14 Devotees gather for historic consecration of Meenakshi temple in MaduraiAs poojas for the consecration ceremony of the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple are set to begin shortly, the devotees holding permit passes arrived in large numbers at the temple premises.Expressing pride as final preparations wrapped up, Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy Resources and Law C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar stated that hosting the historic consecration of the Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple under the current administration was a matter of profound joy.Read the full story below​Devotees gather for historic consecration of Meenakshi temple in MaduraiDevotees gather in Madurai for the consecration of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, with elaborate arrangements ensuring a smooth ceremony.​September 17, 2026 07:14 Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple kumbabishekam beginsWith chanting of vedic hymns and special pujas, the Kumbhabhishekam [consecration ceremony] of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai commenced early Thursday (September 17, 2026) in a grand manner.The entire temple complex has been illuminated with lights, and the senior priests, drawn from different temples, carry the holy water to the multiple towers ( gopurams) decorated with flowers.Read the full story below​Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple kumbabishekam beginsKumbabishekam at Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple begins with vedic chants, attracting VIPs and thousands of devotees.​ Published - September 17, 2026 07:12 am IST