Latest news with #MeenakshiAmman
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Time of India
Big jump in foreign tourist arrivals in Madurai
Madurai: Tourist inflow to Madurai saw an impressive rise in 2024, with both international and domestic footfall growing steadily compared to the previous year. The district welcomed 98,770 foreign visitors, up from 57,564 in 2023 according to the district tourism department. Domestic tourist numbers touched 2.74 crore, up from 2.5 crore in 2023, reaffirming Madurai's position as one of the major travel destinations in Tamil Nadu. While Meenakshi Amman temple and Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal remain key crowd-pullers, tourism stakeholders say the narrative is gradually shifting from purely spiritual to one that emphasizes culture, cuisine, and heritage. "Earlier, most tourists would only visit temples and return. Now, many ask about historical walks, old markets, traditional art performances, and even archaeological sites like Keeladi," says Nagendra Prabhu, a senior govt-recognized tourist guide. There's a clear demand for deeper, experience-based travel, he added. Travel operators say a large number of domestic visitors arrive from states like Maharashtra, Delhi, and West Bengal, while European travellers form the bulk of international arrivals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Chrissy Metz Is So Skinny Now And She Looks Like A Model Cleverst Undo There has been a modest increase in tourists from North America and Australia. Hoteliers are witnessing the impact firsthand. K P S Kannan, president of Madurai Lodge Owners' Association, said the demand for hotel rooms has remained consistently high, with occupancy peaking during weekends and holidays. "Over the past few years, people's spending patterns have shifted more towards travel," he said. "Madurai has emerged as a central hub, especially for those looking to cover destinations like Rameswaram, Karaikudi, Kanyakumari, and Kodaikanal. With better road and rail connectivity, many prefer to base themselves here and plan onward trips," he said. An emerging highlight of the city's tourism profile in the post-pandemic period is food-based travel. Tour packages now often include local food trails, with visitors eager to sample iconic dishes like kari dosai, mutton biryani, and jigarthanda from long-standing eateries. "There's a lot more interest in exploring the city through its cuisine," said Vasanth Rajan, a city-based travel consultant who now offers culinary tours too. "Most of our clients specifically ask for places that locals frequent. Food vlogs and social media reviews have made a big difference in drawing this crowd," he said. Recognizing this trend, the district administration's draft tourism master plan proposes positioning Madurai as a gastronomic destination under Unesco Creative Cities Network. Plans include hosting annual food festivals in temple precincts. Madurai corporation had, in its recent annual budget, included a food street near Mattuthavani.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Water released from Vaigai dam for Kallazhagar's entry into river
Madurai: As part of the preparations for the much-anticipated entry of into the on May 12—a key highlight of the ongoing Chithirai festival—the public works department (PWD) released 1,000 cusecs of water from the Vaigai dam on water is expected to reach the Madurai stretch of the river by Saturday morning, May 10. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In anticipation, members of the Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam have planned a symbolic welcome ceremony on the riverbank near Alwarpuram, where the deity is scheduled to enter the event will include flower showers, traditional mangala isai (auspicious music), and a vibrant cultural procession. Children dressed as Meenakshi Amman, Lord Kallazhagar, and Karuppasamy will lead the welcome, reflecting the spiritual fervour surrounding the event. "This is not just a ritual; it's a celebration of Madurai's living tradition. The arrival of water and the deity is considered a divine blessing," said M Rajan, chief of the Kallazhagar Vaigai entry is is expected to draw thousands of devotees from across the region.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pattabhishekam conducted at Madurai Meenakshi temple
1 2 Madurai: The grand 'pattabhishekam' ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi , a highlight of the ongoing Chithirai festival , was held with great devotion and fanfare at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple on Tuesday. The symbolic coronation marks the beginning of the Goddess' reign over Madurai, a tradition believed to last for four months until the Tamil month of event saw Meenakshi Amman adorned in special attire seated on the six-foot pedestal in the sanctum. Following rituals, the royal crown (rayar kreetam) was placed on the Goddess Meenakshi's earthly administration, the sceptre (sengol), believed to be presented by Thirumalai Nayakkar, was handed over temple trustee board chairperson Rukmani Palanivelrajan. She circumambulated the sanctum before returning it to the Chithirai festival, which began on April 29, continues with daily processions of Meenakshi Amman and Sundareswarar deities through Maasi streets. Thikku Vijayam (conquest in all directions) will take place on Wednesday, the grand Meenakshi-Sundareswarar celestial wedding on Thursday and the temple car procession on Friday.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
Ministers call for temporary halt of all road work
1 2 Madurai: In an effort to prevent misuse of VIP passes during Thirukalyanam at Meenakshi Amman temple, the district administration has planned to introduce QR code-based VIP passes. IT minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said this at a multi-department review meeting held in Madurai along with commercial taxes minister P Moorthy on Sunday. He said the system will involve scanning QR passes at entry points to ensure better control and security. PTR said that similar systems had been successfully implemented in Thiruvannamalai. He instructed city police to enforce zero parking on roads leading to Vaigai river a day before the event, citing problems caused by parked vehicles reducing road space last year. The minister said all ongoing construction work by State Highways and corporation should be temporarily halted. Dangerous pits should be immediately closed to ensure safety of devotees. Meenakshi Amman temple and Kallazhagar temple administrations must provide live telecast feeds to any broadcaster interested in covering the events. P Moorthy said HR & CE department must ensure that Kallazhagar idol stops at all designated mandagapadis, amid complaints that several were skipped last year due to time constraints. He suggested that two LED screens be installed near Alagar river entry point and Karuppanasamy temple near Alagar Kovil, where the Kallazhagar procession begins. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads View Deals Undo MP Su Venkatesan highlighted the need for pandhals (temporary shelters) to be erected till Aadi Veethi (outer streets) around the temple, as many devotees camp in the area overnight ahead of Thirukalyanam. He insisted that Government Rajaji Hospital maintain an emergency medical ward with doctors available 24x7 during festival days. City police commissioner J Loganathan pointed out that several roads used for the temple processions were still in poor condition. He urged Madurai corporation and State Highways department to ensure at least temporary repairs before the event. The commissioner highlighted the importance of the ramps constructed on Vaigai river bank, which helped manage crowd flow efficiently last year. Superintendent of police (SP) B K Arvind added that certain stretches of Alagar Kovil Road in rural areas are undergoing construction and called for immediate steps to either halt work temporarily or ensure that adequate safety precautions are taken.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Vijayawada councillors meet Madurai counterparts to exchange best urban practices
Madurai: A delegation of councillors from the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation , led by deputy mayor Sailaja Reddy, met Madurai mayor Indrani Ponvasanth, councillors of Madurai corporation , and commissioner Chitra Vijayan. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They exchanged insights on urban best practices during a meeting at the corporation office on Saturday. During the interaction, both sides discussed key urban initiatives of both corporations. Madurai corporation presented details about ongoing projects such as the Smart City Mission , Mullaperiyar combined water supply scheme, road development work, solid waste management, parks development, and waste-to-compost methods. In turn, the Vijayawada team shared insights on their sanitation improvements, road upgrades, drinking water projects, and modern toilet facilities. Following the meeting, the Vijayawada delegation visited the Meenakshi Amman, Thiruparankundram Subramaniaswamy and other temples. They also inspected the newly built Periyar bus stand commercial complex. The Vijayawada team presented mementos to the Madurai mayor at the end of the event.
