Diwali 2026 in Madurai: Deepavali Oil Bath, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Cracker Timings, Meenakshi Temple and Thiruparankundram

Quick answer: Deepavali 2026 in Madurai is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The Ganga snanam (oil bath) is before sunrise that morning (sunrise about 6:09 AM), and the Lakshmi Puja muhurat that evening is 6:20 PM – 8:20 PM IST, calculated by HinduTone with the Drik Panchang method. The Tamil Nadu government has allowed crackers on Deepavali only from 6 AM to 7 AM and 7 PM to 8 PM, and news reports say Monday, 9 November is also a state holiday. Two days later Kanda Sashti begins at Thiruparankundram, one of Lord Murugan's six abodes, ending with Soora Samharam on Sunday, 15 November, and Karthigai Deepam follows on Tuesday, 24 November.

Madurai, the temple city, wakes before dawn on Deepavali. Families take the oil bath, put on new clothes, eat Deepavali marundhu and sweets, burst crackers in the early-morning window and visit the Meenakshi Amman temple, whose great Kumbabhishekam was held only weeks ago, on 17 September 2026. The four Masi streets, Puthu Mandapam and the jasmine market are packed through the week. This guide covers the dates and times, the cracker rules, temples, markets and the festivals that follow.

Editor's note (8 November 2026): puja times are HinduTone's own calculation for Madurai. The cracker timings are from the Tamil Nadu government's release of 3 November 2026, as reported by PTI. The 9 November holiday is from news reports of 30 October 2026. The Kumbabhishekam details are from a report of 17 September 2026.

Deepavali 2026 dates in Madurai

The Chaturdashi tithi runs from 10:47 AM on Saturday, 7 November to 11:27 AM on Sunday, 8 November, so it is in force at dawn on Sunday, which makes Sunday Tamil Deepavali. The Amavasya follows at 11:27 AM and lasts until 12:31 PM on Monday, 9 November, covering Sunday evening's Lakshmi Puja.

Oil bath and Lakshmi Puja times in Madurai

The Lakshmi Puja muhurat is the part of Pradosh Kaal when the fixed Vrishabha (Taurus) lagna is rising. Madurai's evening times are about 13 minutes later than Chennai's (6:07 PM – 8:09 PM). For other cities, see Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026, city-wise.

How Madurai celebrates

1. Before dawn: the eldest member applies warm gingelly oil to each person's head, followed by a hot-water bath with shikakai; the bath is the Ganga snanam, and neighbours greet each other with "Ganga snanam aacha?"
2. Marundhu and sweets: a spoonful of Deepavali marundhu, then sweets and savouries: murukku, adhirasam, laddu and Madurai's famous jigarthanda later in the day.
3. New clothes and temple visit: new clothes are placed before the deity and worn after the bath; many families visit the Meenakshi Amman temple or their local temple.
4. Morning crackers: in the 6 AM to 7 AM window.
5. Evening: Lakshmi Kubera puja inside the muhurat, 6:20 PM – 8:20 PM, and the Kedara Gowri nonbu in many families; see Kedareswara vratam 2026. Evening crackers only from 7 PM to 8 PM.

For the wider picture, see Diwali in Tamil Nadu: Naraka Chaturdashi and sacred oil baths.

Crackers in Madurai: the 2026 rules

The Tamil Nadu government's release of 3 November 2026 (reported by PTI) applies across the state, including Madurai:

• Deepavali timings: crackers only from 6 AM to 7 AM and 7 PM to 8 PM.
• Green crackers are encouraged; buy only from licensed shops.
• Where not to burst: near hospitals, schools, temples, fuel stations and crowded markets, and never in the temple streets or on roads.

More details are on our Tamil Nadu firecracker rules 2026 page. For emergencies call 112, and for fire 101.

Temples to visit in and around Madurai

• Meenakshi Amman Temple: the heart of the city, busy from Deepavali dawn. Its Kumbabhishekam, the first in 17 years, was held on 17 September 2026 with 6,500 police on duty and lakhs of devotees. See our Meenakshi Amman temple guide.
• Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple: about 8 km away, the first of Lord Murugan's six abodes, the centre of Madurai's Kanda Sashti. On the Karthigai Deepam lamp on the hill, see the Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam case.
• Alagar Kovil and Pazhamudircholai: about 20 km north, the Vishnu temple of Kallazhagar and, above it on the hill, another of Murugan's six abodes.
• Koodal Azhagar Temple: the ancient Vishnu temple in the city centre.

Check each temple's notice for darshan timings on festival days; phones are not allowed inside the Meenakshi temple.

Markets and shopping

• The four Masi streets and Chithirai streets: clothes, sarees, brassware and festive shopping around the temple.
• Puthu Mandapam: the old pillared hall opposite the temple's east gate, known for tailors, bangles, brassware and puja items.
• Mattuthavani flower market: Madurai malli (jasmine) and flowers for the puja.
• Sungudi sarees: Madurai's traditional tie-dyed cotton sarees are a popular Deepavali buy.

The temple streets are heavily crowded in Deepavali week; leave vehicles at public parking and walk in.

After Deepavali: Kanda Sashti and Karthigai Deepam

• Kanda Sashti (10–15 November): the six-day vratam at Thiruparankundram and other Murugan temples ends with Soora Samharam on Sunday, 15 November. See Skanda Sashti 2026 and Soora Samharam.
• Karthigai Deepam (Tuesday, 24 November): lamps across Madurai and the hill lamp at Thiruparankundram. See Karthigai Deepam 2026.

Practical tips

• Weather: early November in Madurai is warm, around 23–31 °C; north-east monsoon showers are possible, so keep crackers and diyas dry.
• Air quality: smoke builds up in the morning and evening windows; keep older relatives and anyone with asthma indoors during heavy bursting.
• Travel: buses and trains are crowded before and after the holiday weekend; book early.

More Diwali 2026 guides

• Diwali 2026 in Chennai
• Diwali 2026 in Coimbatore
• Diwali 2026 in Kochi
• Diwali 2026 in Bengaluru
• Diwali 2026 state-wise in India

Browse every guide on our Diwali 2026 hub.

Frequently asked questions

When is Deepavali 2026 in Madurai?

Sunday, 8 November 2026, with the oil bath before sunrise. News reports say Monday, 9 November is also a state holiday.

What are the cracker timings in Madurai for Deepavali 2026?

6 AM to 7 AM and 7 PM to 8 PM on Deepavali, under the Tamil Nadu government's release of 3 November 2026.

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Madurai?

6:20 PM to 8:20 PM IST on Sunday, 8 November 2026, calculated by HinduTone with the Drik Panchang method.

When is Kanda Sashti 2026 at Thiruparankundram?

The six-day festival runs from Tuesday, 10 November to Soora Samharam on Sunday, 15 November 2026.