Chennai, Sep 16 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay extended his wishes on the occasion of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam (grand consecration ceremony) of the famed Madurai Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, set to be held on Thursday after a gap of 17 years.
In a social media post highlighting the temple’s rich heritage, the CM on Wednesday urged people to preserve ancient temples and pass on their cultural and spiritual legacy to future generations.
“I express my immense joy that the grand consecration ceremony of the Madurai Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple—a historic shrine that has stood for centuries and reflects the pride of Tamil spirituality, art, culture, architecture and sculpture—is being held in all its grandeur after 17 years,” he said.
“On this auspicious day, as the consecration ceremony showcases to the world the richness of Tamil culture and the spiritual and historical heritage of our land, may divine grace fill everyone’s lives with health, prosperity and joy,” he added.
“Let us protect our ancient temples and preserve their historical significance while carrying forward our spiritual and cultural heritage to future generations,” he appealed.
Several lakh devotees are expected to witness the event, being held for the first time since 2009.
According to temple sources, the ceremony will be held between 7.40 am and 8.10 am, followed by an evening procession of the Pancha Moorthis (the five principal deities).
The Yagasala rituals began on September 11 and will continue till September 16. Regular darshan inside the sanctum will remain restricted during this period, with entry permitted only through the outer areas.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department has arranged for a live broadcast of the event, with the temple administration installing LED screens at major public junctions, including the Periyar and Mattuthavani integrated bus stands, to enable devotees to follow the rituals.
Over 200 facial recognition and CCTV cameras, along with round-the-clock control rooms, have been set up to monitor the expected influx of devotees.
Tamil Nadu Energy Resources and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar had inspected the arrangements along with temple officials.
About 6,000 staff have been deployed for the event, with parking arranged for nearly 8,000 vehicles, the minister told reporters.
“Around 2,000 passes have been earmarked for the public through an online allotment system. All basic amenities have been arranged. For the first time, pipes have been laid for drinking water, and temporary toilets have also been set up,” Kumar had said. PTI SNR SNR SSK
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