Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam - Madurai

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam

It is also called as Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam just 2 kms from Meenakshi Temple in the Town. There are Ghats on all four sides with 12 steps .
It is said that, this pit was dug to fetch sand to build Thirumalai Nayakar Palace. The pit was later converted with brick work as a Holy tank and Thirumalai Nayakar Built the Vandiyur Mariamman Temple too on the northern side of the tank. In the middle of the tank there is a Mandapam called Maiya Mandapam [center Mandapam] with a small Ganesh Temple and a Garden.
The Float Festival at Mariamman Teppkulam is one of the most colourful temple festival, annually held in the month of Thai [Jan-Feb] to mark the birth anniversary of King Thirumalai Nayak.Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar are seated on an illuminated Float [Theppam] colorfully decorated with flowers and the Theppam moves around the tank with the traditional musical treat in the background, watched by thousands of devotees.