The torch, Madurai Deepam, which will be lit on Tamukkam Grounds for Maamadurai Potruvom celebrations, will be brought from Kidaripatti near Alagarkoil.
The torch will be taken to St. Mary’s Church, Goripalayam Mosque, and Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple before being lit on Tamukkam Ground where an exhibition depicting the different eras of the city's history will be held, the media was informed on Friday. Collector Anshul Mishra, and vice-presidents of the organising committee K.S. Bharath and S. Venkatesan briefed the media. “We have identified a 4th century B.C inscription in Kidaripatti, probably the oldest in Madurai.
The torch will be brought from there on February 8 . said Mr. Venkatesan. Symposiums on historical significance of Madurai and heritage tours for the public would be organised during the festival, he added.
On the proposed carnival, the Collector said that eight tableau with different themes would be taken out from the Madura College to Tamukkam Ground on February 10, the final day of the celebrations. The tableau would depict scenes associated with the Pandya kingdom, Gandhi’s Madurai visit, Mullaperiyar dam engineer Pennycuick and farmers, ancient inscriptions, among others.
Thousand artistes, including college students and professionals, were likely to perform at the carnival. From 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on February 10, deepams would be lit on river Vaigai to glorify it. A fireworks show will be organised after 8.30 p.m.
Earlier, Mr. Mishra reviewed the arrangements, and the feasibility of staging an air show at Race Course Stadium as a part of the celebrations.
P. Jayaraman, Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department and Executive Officer of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, said that the Vasantha Mandapam on river Vaigai and Mariamman Temple tank would be illuminated during the three-day festival.
K.S. Bharath, one of the members of the core committee, said that the estimated cost of the celebration was Rs. 1 crore.
