Theppotsavam

Theppotsavam, or Theppothsava or float festival, is a Hindu religious festival carried out in Hindu temples in parts of South India, mainly Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh during the month of Chitthirai or Aries. As a part of this festival, the principal idol of the temples is decorated and taken in procession through the tank of the temple.

Some of the temples where the float festival is celebrated are:

• Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
• Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
• Samayapuram Mariamman Temple
• Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi
• Thiyagarajar Temple, Thiruvarur
• Simhachalam Temple, Visakhapatnam
• Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada
• Kolaramma Temple, Kolar, Karnataka
• Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple

The float festival at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is observed over five days in the sacred Swami Pushkarini during the Chaitra month (March), coinciding with Phalguna Pournami. The festivities begin with a divine procession of Lord Rama, accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, taken on a ceremonially adorned float. On the second day, Lord Sri Krishna and Rukmini are worshipped and taken for a pleasure ride across the temple tank.

The final three days—Trayodashi to Pournami—feature Sri Malayappa Swami with Sridevi and Bhudevi, taken on an elaborately decorated float. The number of rounds increases each day: three on the third day, five on the fourth, and seven on the final day. The concluding day draws massive crowds, as the brilliance of the full moon adds to the grandeur of the procession. Devotees holding Arjita Seva tickets are granted darshan of the deities after the float ritual.

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai

The Theppa Thiruvizha (Float Festival) at the Meenakshi Amman Temple is one of the most iconic festivals of Madurai, celebrated annually during the Tamil month of Thai (January–February), typically on the day of Thai Poosam. The festival takes place at the historic Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, the largest temple tank in Tamil Nadu, built by King Thirumalai Nayak in 1646 CE. This massive tank spans 16 acres, with 12 long stone steps on each side and a central mandapam housing a Vinayaka shrine known as Mukkuruni Pillaiyar.

During the festival, the utsava murtis of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar are brought in a grand procession from the temple to the tank on golden palanquins, accompanied by temple elephants and musical troupes. The deities are taken on a beautifully adorned float and circled around the tank multiple times in the evening. The tank is illuminated with thousands of lamps and decorated with flowers, creating a mesmerizing visual spectacle.The float festival commemorates the divine marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, and draws lakhs of devotees from across the region.

Samayapuram Mariamman Temple

The festival concludes with the Theppam (Float) Festival, celebrated in the temple tank during the final week of April, following the Chithirai Ther Thiruvizha. This sacred event marks a serene yet spiritually uplifting finale to the grand festivities. On this day, the utsava murti of Arulmigu Samayapurathal is ceremoniously placed on an intricately adorned float (theppam) and taken on a divine procession across the temple tank. The float, decorated with flowers, lamps, and colorful fabrics, is gently pulled around the tank by ropes, while devotees chant hymns and offer prayers from the banks.

The tranquil waters reflect the vibrant illumination from thousands of oil lamps and electric lights, creating a mesmerizing visual that enhances the spiritual atmosphere. The gentle movement of the float is believed to represent the goddess’s grace flowing through the universe, bestowing blessings upon her devotees. The event draws thousands of pilgrims who gather to witness the divine spectacle, making it one of the most cherished rituals of the temple calendar. Devotees believe that witnessing the Theppam festival brings prosperity, health, and divine protection, especially from ailments, in alignment with the goddess’s healing powers.

Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi

The Sri Vidya Rajagopalaswamy Temple in Raja Mannargudi is renowned for its grand Aani Theppotsavam and Panguni Vidayatri Utsavam, both featuring elaborate float festivals and vibrant vahana processions. During the Aani month, the ten-day Theppotsavam includes morning and evening Vahana Seva, where Sri Perumal is taken in procession on various mounts such as Surya Prabha, Sesha, Garuda, Hanumantha, and Yaanai (Elephant) vahanams. Highlights include the Garuda Sevai and the charming Vennaithazhi Utsavam, in which the deity appears in Navaneetha Sevai Thirukolam, holding a butter pot.

The most anticipated event is the Haridra Nadhi Theppotsavam , held on Aani Pournami, the ninth day of the festival. The float procession takes place in the vast Haridra Nadhi Tank, one of Asia’s largest temple tanks. Sri Perumal, along with Rukmini and Satyabhama, graces the float for three ceremonial rounds, creating a mesmerizing scene under the full moon.

Another major float event is the Krishna Theertham Theppam, conducted on the twelfth day of the Panguni Vidayatri Utsavam, marking the conclusion of the Brahmotsavam. The deity appears in Kalyana Thirukolam, adorned with a Rathinam-studded crown, and is taken on three rounds in the sacred tank, blessing devotees gathered for the occasion.

See also

• Kolar Theppothsava