Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
வண்டியூர் மாரியம்மன் தெப்பக்குளம்
A huge temple tank built in 1645, with a small island and shrine at its center, where a boat festival is held every year in the Tamil month of Thai.
The tank was built by King Thirumalai Nayak, and legend says the earth dug out of it was used to fire bricks for the Nayak Palace. Stone steps line all four sides, and on the central island stands a small shrine with a garden. On the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai (January–February) each year, statues of Meenakshi and Shiva are placed on decorated wooden rafts and carried around the tank, which is brilliantly lit at night. The water level varies, and in the evenings many locals come here to stroll. The tank lies about 4 km southeast of the old town, a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride away.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Gandhi Memorial Museum
- St. Mary's Cathedral, Madurai
- Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal
- Goripalayam Dargah
- Pudhu Mandapam
- Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Madurai Flower Market (Mattuthavani)
- Koodal Azhagar Temple