The stage is set for this year’s float (teppam) festival of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, which promises to be a grand affair with elaborate arrangements under way at the Mariamman Teppakulam here.
The festival marks the conclusion of the annual 12-day Thai Poosam festival.
The float has been designed by Suresh stapati from Kumbakonam, who made the new design used last year.
Nearly 400 barrels had been used to construct the double-layer base of the float, said K. Rajanayagam, Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, and Executive Officer of the temple.
The double layer base will give an elevation to the float which will ensure that devotees had a clear darshan of the deities on the dais inside the float. Around Rs.4 lakh had been spent for constructing this teppam. Vaigai water was pumped into the tank by six borewells dug by the temple, he said. The temple had also deposited Rs.1 lakh to the Madurai Corporation to fill up with additional water sourced from Manalur to compensate for evaporation.
Flex decorations have also been made inside the Teppam.
It would go around the Mani Mandapam at the centre of the tank twice in the morning and once in the evening.
Pictures of the deities have been put up on the sides and top of the float. The teppam festival falls on Saturday (January 30).
