Mariamman Teppakulam of Madurai

The Mariamman Teppakulam is an enormous tank that is part of the Vandiyur Mariamman Temple of Madurai. The tank was built by the greatest Nayak ruler of Madurai, Thirumalai Nayak, in the 17th century with a mandapam, or hall, in the center of it.

The tank itself is fed by water from the river Vaigai that flows through Madurai through an ingenious series of underground channels. Because the river itself is dry during most of the year, the Mariamman Teppakulam is only filled with water during the monsoon season from November to February.

The Story of the Madurai Teppakulam

Legend has it that an idol of Lord Ganesha was found while the earth in the area was being dug to build the Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, and therefore Thirumalai Nayak decided to build the tank there with a mandapam in the middle to hold the idol. The Mariamman Teppakulam is the venue for the famous Teppa Thiruvizha, or float festival, held during Thai Poosam.