Hundreds of devotees thronged Mariamman Teppakulam here to witness the float festival on Monday.
With the 22-acre tank filled with ample amount of water owing to increased flow in the Vaigai during last monsoon, the decorated and illuminated float wafting along the water became a sight to behold for the devotees.
The float festival, held on the day of Thai poosam , as part of the 12-day Teppa Tiruvizha of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, also marks the birth anniversary of King Tirumalai Nayak,.
As part of the festival on Monday, Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi, the presiding deities of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, were brought to Muktheeswarar Temple near Teppakulam on a procession through Chithirai streets, East Masi Street, Nelpettai and Kamarajar Salai.
After performing rituals, the deities were taken to the float which went around the mandapam located at the centre of Teppakulam in the morning and evening.
More than hundred foreign tourists from France, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium and other countries witnessed the event from a vantage point specially arranged in nearby Thiagarajar College. “Though foreign tourists turn up in small numbers to witness the festival, this year we ensured a huge gathering since we wanted them to experience this colourful festival,” said an official from the Tourism department.
Madurai city police had made traffic diversions and posted personnel to ensure free flow of traffic in and around Mariamman Teppakulam.
