Avanimoolam Festival
Avanimoolam, the coronation festival of Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) is celebrated at the Meenakshi temple in the month of August-September. The unique feature of the festival is the procession of Lord Shiva to the Vaigai river bank dressed as a worker. On the festive occasion, a play called Lila is performed in which the temple priest recite the myths from the legend of the temple. 

Teppam Festival (Teppakulam Float Festival)
The float festival also known as Theppam Festival alias Theppathiruvizha marks the conclusion of the annual 12-day long 'Thai Poosam' festival of Madurai- Meenakshi Temple. Falling on the full moon day (Thaipoosam day) of the Tamil month Thai (January/February), Theppam festival is celebrated at the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, a beautiful square tank situated 5 kms east of the temple. During the festive days, the center mandapam of the tank having the deity of Vigneshwara is illuminated with colorful lights. The festival ceremonies start early morning with the procession of carrying the idols of Goddess Meenakshi Amman (Goddess Parvathi) and her partner Sundareswarar (Lord Siva) from the Meenakshi temple.

Celebrated with huge enthusiasm and pleasure, this festival attracts thousands of tourists from far and near. It is also believed that the festival is celebrated to pay homage to King Thirumalai Nayak, who had built the Teppakulam. <<Read more.>>

Pankuni Uttiram
Pankuni Uttiram is the religious festival celebrated especially in the Murukan temples to commemorate the marriage of the Lord with Devasena. Also known as 'Thiruppanrankundram', Pankuni Uttiram is celebrated as a 14-day annual festival at Tirupparankundram temple during the month of April/May. The festivities involve elaborate coronation rituals, wedding ceremonies and grand processions.

Navaratri Festival - Meenakshi Temple
Navarathri Festival, the festival of 'nine nights' is celebrated with great fervour in the Meenakshi Temple during September- October. Goddess Meenakshi is considered as the goddess of 'Shakthi' (power), wealth and knowledge and during these days, she is honored in all her forms. She is worshipped as Durga on the first three days, as Lakshmi the next three days and as Saraswathy on the last three days. Nine varieties of cooked rice and nine varieties of flowers are offered by the devotees and various poojas like Rajangam, Veenaithaazhi, Markandeyan, Venuganam, Kannappa Nayanar, Oonjal, Piittukku Mann, Sumandhal, Kallinga narthanan, Saraswathi poojai are conducted.

Chithirai Festival
Chittirai is the first month of the Tamil Calendar and on this month several festivals are held in almost all temples to celebrate the advent of spring. During the festival, the image of gods and goddess from the temples in and around Madurai are taken to the bank of the river Vaigai, in colourful processions accompanied by hundreds and thousands of devotees and musicians.

In Madurai, the main venue of Chittirai festival is Meenakshi temple. It marks the celestial wedding of Madurai's powerful presiding deity, Meenakshi with Lord Shiva. The festival which lasts for about 12 days in the month of April/May, commence with the flag hosting ceremony. On the 8th day the coronation of Meenakshi Amman takes place on the 8th day and the 9th day is the Thikku-Vijayam. The main celebration is held on the 10th day, i.e the Thirukalyanam or celestial wedding of the deities. On this day, the deities of Meenakshi and Shiva are taken out in their regal attire around the temple streets, before being brought into the grandly decorated hall inside the temple. During the procession, devotees make offerings of coconuts, flowers, camphor and Agarbattis (incense sticks) etc. The main highlight of the festival is the the procession of Lord Kallazhaga (Vishnu) from the Azhagar Kovil to Madurai to participate in the celestial wedding of his sister Meenakshi. During the procession, the idol of Alagar is halted at various places. The festival concludes with Kallazhagar returning to his abode.

Jallikattu
Jallikattu also known as Bull Fight (Manji virattu ) that take place during the Pongal festival is one of the famous but vicious event in Tamil Nadu held in the villages of Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tanjore. It is the fight between bull and man to show their strength against each other. A large number of youth participate in this event which mainly exhibits the spirit and courage of men taming wild animals. It is usually held on the third day of pongal (mattu pongal) and on that day the decorated bulls are driven out into the open with money bags tied around their necks and any one who manages to mount the bulls and ride them can claim the bags.