Legend has it that Hindu god Vishnu, as Alagar, rode on a golden horse to Madurai to attend the celestial wedding of Meenakshi (Parvati) with Sundareswarar (Shiva). Cradle festival is another event with Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, when the festival idols are taken in procession to a mirror chamber and set on a rocking swing for nine days. Avanimoolam festival is celebrated during the month of September when the 64 sacred games of Hindu god Shiva, thiruvilayadal are recited.
Jallikattu is the most popular historical sport in Tamil Nadu, which is a part of the Pongal festival (harvest festival) celebrated during January. The bull taming event is held in the villages surrounding Madurai when people from the neighbouring villages throng the open grounds to watch man and bull pitting their strength against each other.
The Thepporchavam festival or float festival is celebrated in the month of January - February, on the full moon day of Tamil Month Thai to celebrate the birth anniversary of King Thirumalai Nayak. The ornamented icons of the Meenakshi and her consort are taken out in a colourful procession from the Meenakshi Temple to the Mariamman Teppakulam. The icons are floated in the tank on a raft decked with flowers and flickering lamps.
Santhanakoodu festivals in Madurai are celebrated on various days during the year based on Islamic calendar to commemorate Islamic saints
