'Teppothsavam' or more popularly known as Float Festival is one of the most picturesque festival of Madurai, in Tamilnadu, also known prevalently as the 'City of Festivals'. On this day, the statues of Goddess Meenakshi and her spouse Lord Sundareshwarar are taken in a magnificent procession to the big lake called Teppakolam, and encircled repeatedly around a shrine built in the centre of the lake. The idols of them are settled on an adorned float called 'Teppa'.
This magnificent festival began in the 17th century by the initiative of King Thirumala Nayaka who had a new palace built and to make bricks for it, a great excavation was made. The excavated depression was later transformed into a sixteen acre lake, fed by the Vaigai River through underground channels and built the temple of Ganesha on the artificial island in the middle. Since then the custom of takng the divine idols for a boat ride on the waters of the lake on his birthday has got initiated.
Normally, Float Festival is celebrated during January of the year beginning with Sankranthi (pongal) festival. At dawn, the processional idols of Meenakshi and Sundareshwarar start out from the main temple in great ceremony. The divinities are carried in golden palanquins accompanied by elephants, horses, musicians and thousands of devotees. On reaching the Teppakolam the deities are placed in a prepared platform on the banks of the lake where the devotees then worship them. The idols are later placed on a raised structure that is colorfully decorated with selection of flower garlands, silken buntings, paper lanterns and ample flowers.
Gradually, the great float moves begins its route. Thousands of spectators shout the names of the deities in great delight. After a couple of rounds, the ornamental raft is moved to the central island and remains there till the evening. All through the day number of boats ferry thousands of devotees to worship.
During dusk time, all the five towers of the island temple get illuminated with colored lights. The entire ambiance gets brightly reflected in the water and presents a magical view. Soon afterwards, a display of fireworks also takes place. As the raft makes its slow round of the lake, the fireworks continue and the people cheer and fold their hands in prayer to the deities. On completion of a round, the float is brought to the shore and the divine idols are taken out with great ceremony. This is followed by the enactment of scenes from the fables relating to the deities. To conclude, the idols are mounted on a beautifully decorated golden horse and return to the main temple in a great procession.
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