1 . Wheel chair availbility – Yes

2 . Wheel chair access – Yes

1 . The closest police station is at Pethaniyapuram,Arapalayam-625016

2 . If With Children always make sure they are nearby.People who dont prefer Crowded area are not advised to visit during Fest time.

1 . Toilets – Yes

2 . clean water – Yes

3 . Snack/ refreshment – Yes

Clothing

1. Dhoti or Lungi : Traditional cloth wrapped around the waist.Kurta: A long tunic paired with a dhoti, lungi, or pyjama.

2. Saree : A traditional draped garment.

3. Long Skirt and Blouse : A modest skirt with a blouse and a scarf.

1.Best Time to Visit is between August-September when the famous devotional plays and Worshipping fests occur.
2.Best time to visit is between Mid-August to Mid- September (Avani).
3.Avani Festival takes place for 18 days commencing from the day of Moolam asterism.

Understand the rituals of the festivities in celebration of the divine play of the lord.

Key Days :

Five main festivals are celebrated in Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. One among them is Avani Festival. The Coronation of Swamy Chokkanathar is the main event. It is believed that Swamy Sundareswarar takes charge of reigning Madurai from that day till his counterpart Amman Meenakshi takes over the responsibility in the month of Chithirai every year.Next day to the coronation Odhuvar, the reciter of the temple will narrate the episode of ‘Nariyai Pariyaakkiya Leelai’. The narrative will be dramatized with idols shouldered by the temple attendents / the palanquin carriers.Following day the Pittu Thiruvizha is staged at Puttu Chokkanathar Temple in Arapalayam locality. During the Madurai Nayakkar period, the army base or cantonment (palayam) on the southern bank of river (aru) Vaigai known as Arapalayam was there. Within a grove (Thoppu) originally is the Puttu Chokkanathar Temple constructed at the site where according to the legend Swamy Chokkanathar had carried the soil of Madurai to seal the breaches in the river bank. A shrine dedicated for Vanthi Ammai who had obtained salvation at the place is also housed here.

Architectural Significance :
In the vicinity of the Swamy Puttu Chokkanathar Temple is an imposing open columned Puttu Thoppu Mandapam with a balcony and dome. Temple account Seethalam Kaiyedu refers to the unique Festive Mandapam erected by philanthropist Siramalai Sevanthimoorthy Chettiyar who is credited in raising the tallest southern tower of Thirukoil in the sixteenth century and renovated. Thirty six granite columns with relief sculptures of Hindu gods and animals support the six brick columns of the arched balcony with a dome above in Islamic style.
Festivity :
Two kilometre long procession of Swamy Chokkanathar from Thirukoil attired as a young labourer carrying sand basket to strengthen the embankment of river Vaigai is conducted with much gaiety. The procession route leads to Swamy Adhi Chokkanathar Temple, then to the river ghats of Thirumalairayar and Pechiamman. Ardent Saivaite followers few donning the garb of Manikkavasaga Adigal, dance through the way. Blowing of the Conch and Kombu.reverberates the atmosphere. Reaching Puttu Thoppu Mandapam, the ‘Pittukku Mansumantha Leelai will be staged by the priests next to it. The stage is set by a Muslim family for generations and receive temple honours.After the enactment Prasadham, the Food Offering ‘Pittu’ will be distributed to the devotees. Rice and Millet Pittu sold in shops or prepared at home to be shared are available in plenty for all who seek the blessings of Swamy Chokkanathar.

Avani Festival
Day 1 : Vasthu Shanti – ritual in Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareaswarar Temple (Thirukoil) to pacify by removing obstructing element and avert any unanticipated disasters in course of the festive celebration.
Day 2 : Pittu Thiruvizha Kodiyetram – Beginning of Pittu Festival by hoisting flag in Thirukoil.
Day 3 : Chandrasekarar (Manifestation of Sundareaswarar) Procession in Swamy Sannathi Second Prakaram (processional corridor of Swamy Sundareaswarar shrine).
Day 4 : Night – Veedhi (Street) Vasthu Shanti in Avani Moolam Street.
Day 5 : ‘Karungkuruvikku Upadesam Alitha Leelai’
— Night: 7 p.m. – Veedhi Ula in Karpaga Vruksha Vahanam (Mount), Velli Simha Vahanam – Procession of Principal Deities on mounts in the street.
Day 6 : ‘Naaraiku Mukthi Aruliya Leelai’- Night: 7 p.m. – Veedhi Ula in Boodha Vahanam, Anna Vahanam.
Day 7 : ‘Maanikam Vitra Leelai’ – Night: 7 p.m. – Veedhi Ula in Kailasa Parvadha Vahanam, Kamadenu Vahanam.
Day 8 : ‘Tharumiku Porkizhi Aruliya Leelai’ – Night: 8 p.m. -Veedhi Ula in Thanga Chaparam (small temple car), Yaanai Vahanam.
Day 9 : ‘Ulavaa Kottai Aruliya Leelai’ – Night: 7 p.m. -Veedhi Ula iin Nandikeshwarar Vahanam, Yazhi Vaahanam.
Day 10 : ‘Paananuku Angam Vetiya Leelai’ – Evening: 6 p.m. – ‘Saiva Samaya Sthabitha Leelai’.
Day 11 : Night: 7 p.m. – Thanga Rishaba Vahanam, Velli Rishabha Vahanam – Vrishabarudar (Manifestation of Sundareaswarar) Procession.
Day 12 : ‘Valayal Vitra Leelai’
— Evening: 4 p.m. – Thanga Pallaku ((Palanquin) – procession of deities in Thirukoil
— Night – Swamy Sundareaswarar Pattabhishekam (Coronation)
— Procession of Sceptre – Swamy Sundareshwarar Thirukarathil Sengol Serpithal (Handing Over Sceptre).
Day 13 : ‘Nariyai Pariyaakiya Leelai’ – Thiruparankundram Swamy and Thiruvathavur Adigal Ezhuntharulal (Blessing Appearance). Night: 8 p.m.. – Veedhi Ula in Thanga Guthirai Vahanam.
Day 14 : ‘Pittuku Man Sumantha Leelai’. Night: 7 p.m.- Veethi Ulla in Velli Rishaba Vahanam.
Day 15 : ‘Viragu Vitra Leelai’. Night: 8 p.m. – Swamy Ambal Thanga Chapparathil Kaatchi (Dharshan of Sundareshwarar Meenakshi mounted on golden temple car).
Day 16 : Morning Veethi Ulla in small wooden temple car.
Day 17 : Night: 7 p.m. – Veethi Ulla in Saptavarna Chappra Vahanam (7 colored temple car).
Day 18 : Potramarai Kulam Theerthavari (Holy dip of deities in golden lotus tank, thirukoil.
Night: 6 p.m. -Veethi Ulla in Rishaba Vahanam – Thiruparankundram Swamy and Thiruvathavur Adigal bidding adieu

Once there was an epidemic, killing many horses of the cavalry in the Pandyan Kingdom. King Arimarthana Pandyan deputed his chief minister, Vadhavurar to buy imported steeds at the trading center in Thiruperundurai. On arrival, Vadhavurar was mindful of divine consciousness around him. He was transformed by a Divine Preacher under a Kurunthai tree. In a state of ecstasy he danced and sang ‘Thiruvasagam’ spontaneously in an eloquent flow describing the shower of divine grace on him. Thereafter he came to be known as Manikkavasagar- whose words are gems of devotional wisdom.
A momentous decision made Manikkavasagar renovate temples. Forgetting the purpose for which he had money in hand, he lavishly spent it on religious rituals in temples and the well-being of devotees. New horses did not reach the capital city of Madurai on the expected day.
Interrogation could not draw any explanation from the spiritually transformed minister, who would only give hope of the horses arrival. Eventually, Manikkavasagar was punished. Swamy Sivan assumed the form of a horse trader handing over a large number of horses to the king stating the deal was over on delivery. That very night the new steeds in the stable reverted themselves into their original forms as foxes.
Manikkavasagar was only relieved briefly. Thereby Swamy Sivan caused flood in River Vaigai. Each household in Madurai was assigned to seal the breaches and strengthen the southern riverbank. Aged Vanthi Ammai, who earned her livelihood by selling Pittu after offering to Swamy Chokkanathar could not fulfil the order of the king. Swamy Sivan appeared as a young labourer representing her. Since Vanthi Ammai was poor she fed him Pittu for wages and happily enjoyed even the withered steamed flour cakes.
Every day the labourer would collect the Pittu from her and carry a bamboo basket with shovel to the workplace. He was playful, lethargic and irresponsible. Dozing after tasting the Pittu, the king noticed him while on supervision.Struck the labourer with a cane. Immediately, he threw the sand on the banks and vanished from the spot. The blow was felt on the back of everyone, including the king. Nobody was able to reason out how the breaches came to be sealed thereafter. Wonderstruck, the king realized the devotion of his minister Manikkavasagar who had in fact brought into Madurai the ecstasies of devotion which he saw in the salvation of Vanthi Ammai.

Weekdays – Morning 6.30 am – 11.30 am & Evening 5 pm – 9 pm.