Meenakshi Temple Kumbabishekam conducted successfully: Minister Ramesh

“We have successfully conducted the Meenakshi Amman Temple kumbabishekam under the guidance of the Chief Minister,” Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Ramesh said in Madurai on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after the consecration ceremony at the Pudu Mandapam opposite the temple, Ramesh said preparations for the event had been reviewed three months in advance and instructions were issued to expedite the renovation works at the Veeravasantharayar Mandapam.
The minister said the arrangements were made according to the capacity of the temple premises and that passes were issued to devotees, donors and elected representatives. He said no section had been deliberately excluded from the arrangements. He said arrangements had also been made for sprinkling sacred water using drones during the ceremony. Though public darshan had been announced from 10 a.m., devotees were allowed for darshan from 8.30 a.m.
Ramesh said water and biscuit packets would be distributed to around 2.5 lakh people who attended the kumbabishekam.
He also said the government was firm on preventing the use of mobile phones inside the temple. He said devotees would face action if they violated the restrictions on taking photographs and videos inside the temple.
On mobile phone deposit charges, the minister said temples had not been compelled to collect Rs. 5 and that the respective temple administrations could decide on the matter based on their financial position. He said several temples had subsequently withdrawn the charge.
Ramesh said elephants had not been purchased directly by temples and that elephants were acquired through donors in accordance with court directions.
He further said prices of prasadam had not been increased and that the existing price list was being followed. He said prasadam sales, which were earlier handled by private parties, were now being managed by the department in 12 temples to ensure quality without imposing any additional charge.
The Madurai Meenakshi Amman-Sundareswarar Temple’s maha kumbabishekam was held on September 17, 2026, with the principal rituals taking place in the morning.