About Devi Vaibhavotsavam
Madurai Meenakshi
Madurai, Tamil Nadu
"She of the Fish-Shaped Eyes" - The Divine queen and Warrior Goddess at the heart of the ancient city of Madurai
The Meenakshi Amman Temple stands as one of India's most magnificent temple complexes, spread across 14 acres in the heart of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi — a form of Goddess Parvati — and her divine consort Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva), the temple traces its origins as far back as the 1st century CE and was grandly rebuilt during the 16th–17th centuries by the Nayaka rulers.
The legend of Meenakshi is extraordinary. She was born as a princess with three breasts — a sign, it was said, that she would marry a man of divine nature. She grew up to be a fearless warrior queen, ruling Madurai and even conquering the heavens. When
she reached Kailash to challenge Lord Shiva, her third breast vanished — the sign of her destiny fulfilled. Shiva and Meenakshi returned to Madurai to wed in a grand cosmic ceremony attended by all the gods.
This sacred marriage is celebrated every year during the joyous Chithirai Festival, one of Tamil Nadu's most spectacular events, drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees.
Name Meaning
Meenakshi = "Fish-eyed" (eyes of beauty grace)
Key Festival
Chithirai Thiruvizha- Divine Wedding Celebration
Goddess Form
Warrior queen & Divine Mother
Temple Highlights
14 towering Gopurams · 1,000-Pillar Hall · 30,000+ sculptures
WHAT DEVOTEES SEEK
Blessings for marriage, love, and family unity. The Goddess as powerful queen teaches courage and grace. Visiting Meenakshi is believed to bring harmony, fulfillment of heart's desires, and the blessing of a devoted union.
Kanchi Kamakshi
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
""She Whose Eyes Radiate Love"" - The Supreme Goddess of the City of a Thousand Temples, seated in eternal yoga.
Nestled in the sacred city of Kanchipuram — one of India's seven Moksha-puris (cities that grant liberation) — the Kamakshi Amman Temple is one of the most important Shakti Peethas in all of India. The temple is believed to mark the spot where the navel of Goddess Sati fell, earning it the name Nabhi Peetham (Navel Seat), symbolically the centre of the earth.
Goddess Kamakshi is worshipped here not in a fierce form, but in serene yogic stillness — seated in the lotus posture upon a Sri Chakra throne. Her name carries a profound meaning: Ka (Goddess Saraswati — wisdom), Ma (Goddess Lakshmi — wealth), and Akshi (eyes) — she whose eyes hold all knowledge and all abundance. She is the complete embodiment of the Divine Feminine.
The great philosopher-saint Adi Shankaracharya visited this temple and, finding the Goddess in a fierce state, pacified her by installing the sacred Sri Chakra Yantra before her idol — a geometric symbol of cosmic energy that remains the focal point of worship to this day. He also founded the revered Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham here.
Name Meaning
Meenakshi = "Fish-eyed" (eyes of beauty grace)
Key Festival
Chithirai Thiruvizha- Divine Wedding Celebration
Goddess Form
Warrior queen & Divine Mother
Temple Highlights
14 towering Gopurams · 1,000-Pillar Hall · 30,000+ sculptures
WHAT DEVOTEES SEEK
Blessings for marriage, love, and family unity. The Goddess as powerful queen teaches courage and grace. Visiting Meenakshi is believed to bring harmony, fulfillment of heart's desires, and the blessing of a devoted union.
Kashi Vishalakshi
Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh
"She of the Wide, Compassionate Eyes" - The Eternal Goddess of the Holy City of Varanasi, where Shakti and Shiva dwell together.
On the sacred banks of the Ganges at Mir Ghat in Varanasi — India's oldest and holiest city — stands the Vishalakshi Temple, a Shakti Peetha of immense spiritual power.
According to ancient texts including the Skanda Purana and Devi Purana, this is the site where the earring (or in some accounts, the face) of Goddess Sati fell when Lord Shiva carried her grieving body across the universe, making it one of the most sacred of the 51 Shakti Peethas.
The name Vishalakshi means "one with wide, compassionate eyes" — eyes that see and embrace all suffering, and whose gaze liberates. The temple is deeply connected to the spiritual identity of Kashi itself: while Lord Shiva reigns here as Vishwanath (Lord of the Universe), his divine consort manifests as Vishalakshi, completing the cosmic balance of masculine and feminine energies.
Ancient tradition holds that a pilgrimage to Kashi is incomplete without seeking the darshan of Vishalakshi. She is venerated alongside Kala Bhairava, the fierce guardian of the city, and the temple forms one of six sacred points of Shastanga Yoga in Varanasi.
Name Meaning
Vishalakshi = "Wide-eyed" (all-seeing, compassionate gaze)
Key Festival
Kajali Teej · Navaratri · Maha Shivratri
Shakthi Phetha
Earring of Goddess Sati fell here · One of 51 sacred sites
Location
Mir Ghat, banks of the holy Ganges · Near Kashi Vishwanath
WHAT DEVOTEES SEEK
Vishalakshi grants beauty, wealth, healing from sorrow and disease, and spiritual liberation (moksha). Unmarried women pray for a devoted partner; couples seek the gift of children; all devotees seek the goddess's all-encompassing, compassionate gaze that removes obstacles and transforms pain into blessing.
Schedule
Day 1
FRIDAY JUNE 12TH 2026
5:00-8:30PM
Madhurai Meenakshi pooja, Lalitha Sahasranama Strotram, Deepa Pooja by women.
Day 2
SATURDAY JUNE13TH 2026
9:00AM – 12:30PM
Kanchi Kamakshi pooja, Sri Chakra pooja, Ashtavadhana Seva
Day 2
SATURDAY JUNE 13TH 2026
5:00PM – 8:30PM
Samaveda Gaanam, Saraswathi Pooja by Girls, Devi Veena Gaanam
Day 3
SUNDAY JUNE 14TH 2026
8:00AM – 12:30PM
Kasi Visalakshi Pooja, Lalitha Sahasranama Homam by devotees
Overflow Parking & Shuttle Services
To ensure a smooth and efficient experience for all attendees of Devi Vaibhotsavam, we have arranged convenient overflow parking and a complimentary shuttle service throughout the festival.
Overflow Parking Location
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Parkway Station – Park & Ride
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9870 Maple Grove Pkwy, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Shuttle Service
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Shuttles will operate every 20 minutes between Parkway Station and the temple.
On-Campus Parking
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Temple parking will be limited during Brahmotsavam. All devotees are strongly encouraged to use the overflow lot and shuttle service to avoid delays and reduce congestion.
Coming soon...
6:00pm to 10:00pm
Coming soon...
10:00am to 3:00pm
Food Menu
Divya Bhog
FRIDAY JUNE 12TH 2026
DINNER
Nagaraju & Friends
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Curd Rice
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Puri/Chapati
- Potato Kurma & Green Peas for Puri/Chapati
- Pepper Pongal
- Peanut Chutney
- Mango Custard.
Utsava Bhojanam
SATURDAY JUNE 13TH 2025
DINNER
The Odisha Society of the Americas- Minnesota
Dalma
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Papdi Chaat
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Samosa
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Puri
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Veg Pulao
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Navratan Korma
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Appalu
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Chum Chum
Vindu Bhojanam
SATURDAY JUNE 12TH 2026
LUNCH
Srinivasa Group
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Medhu vada and chutney
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Variety rice
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Curd rice
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White rice
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Dal
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Dessert
Brij Bhog
SUNDAY JUNE 8TH 2025
LUNCH
Shri Krishna Bhakti Mandal
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Bedmi Puri
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Aloo sabji
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Paneer Curry
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Mix Veg
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Pulao
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Kachori
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Kheer
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Gulab Jamun
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Buttermilk
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Achaar
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Fryums
Mangala Vadyam Band
Natya Seva Schedule
FRIDAY JUNE 6TH 2025
Evening
School - Shubha School of Arts
Coordinator - Ponni Manivelan
Choreographer - Shubhalekha
Dance Description
Vishnu Kauthuvam in Bharatanatyam is a traditional invocatory piece performed in praise of Lord Vishnu. It combines rhythmic syllables (jatis) with expressive dance (abhinaya), celebrating Vishnu’s divine qualities, his avatars (like Rama and Krishna), and his role as the protector of the universe. Dancers use precise footwork and graceful movements to depict stories and attributes of Vishnu, often performed at the beginning of a recital to seek divine blessings.
Participants
1. Himasri Kanchibotla
2. Srivisha Sridhar
3. Sainaa Ravi
4. Saimaa Ravi
5. Vedha
School - Priyanka Dance Academy
Choreographer - Priyanka Mundra
School - Chandrani Dance Academy
Choreographer - Chandrani Basak
School - Nritya KalaKshetra Academy
Choreographer - Sivanuja Balaji
Dance - Thillana
Participants
Students of Smt Sivanuja Balaji
SATURDAY JUNE 7TH 2025 Evening
School - Angika Dance Academy
Choreographer - Guru: Sujatha Akurati
1. Idathu Padam,Ragam: Khamas, Talam: Adi
Dance Description
Lord Nataraja stood on his right leg and lifted his left leg and began to dance and everything went into motion. Then he intended to speed up the modified motion, only once did he stand on his left leg and lift his right leg and dance. Such a significant dance was performed in the temple of meenakshi and it is known as tandava dance.
Participants:
1. Nikhita Praveen,
2. Diya Prakash
3. Bhanvi Wadhwani
4. Sphurti kaza
2. Song: SrimanNārāyana Ragam: Bowli Talam: Adi
Dance Description
In this song Annamaiah describes the divine appearance and great qualities of the Super Soul Srimannarayana and surrendering to Him.
Participants:
1. Gatrika Ravella,
2. Meghana Achyutuni,
3.Samhita putrevu,
4.Nikhila Kodali
School - Nava Kriti (Center for Odissi Dance)
Group Coordinator - Arpita Ganguly
Dance Description - An offering to the divine through Rasa, Bhaava and Taala
Participants
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Adreeja Paul
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Lenisha Sahoo
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Mihira Mitra
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Naisha Tripathy
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Sanvi Satapathy
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Soumya Pradhan
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Taashi Khadanga
School - Nrithyaveda School of Dance
Coordinator - Smt GowriLakshmi
Dance Description
Dancers are going to Bharatanatyam Performance for the devotional hymn Hanuman chalisa.
They are going to enact all the 40 verses of Hanuman chalisa through Abhinaya during Hanumantha Vahana Seva.
School - Chandrani Dance Academy
Choreographer - Chandrani Basak
SATURDAY JUNE 7TH 2025
Morning
School - Taraangini school of Dance
Choreographer - Amrita Partha
Dance Description - Divya Prabhandanam
Participants
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Krithi Thenappan
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Meha sridhar
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Lahari Subramaniyan
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Ananya Goli
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Harini Meenakshi sundaram
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Dheekshitha Rajesh
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Magizh Muruganandam
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Mithila Iyengar
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Humsikha Thirukonda
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Udupi Krishna
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Prateeksha Narasimman
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Pavithra Narasimman
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Aditi kousikan
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Avni Modi
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Saisha Peram
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Ram charan Athur Balaji
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Sri Keerthi Athur Balaji
School - Kalakriti Dance School
Group Cordinator - Archana
Dance Description - Kavadi on Lord Muruga
School - Natyaprabha Dance Academy
Choreographer - Meena Janarthanan
Dance Description
Mohiniyattam Dhanashree Thillana, a vibrant and devotional composition by the great composer and royal patron of the arts, Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. This Thillana, set in the raga Dhanashree, is a rhythmic and lyrical offering that praises Lord Padmanabha, the presiding deity of Thiruvananthapuram.
School - Taraangini Dance School
Choreographer - Amritha Partha
Dance Description - Kolatam by Andal Goshti
Participants
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Mrs. Saroja Devi Budukuru
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Mrs. Banumathi Narayanan
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Mrs. Praveena Raghavan
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Mrs. Srividhya Govindarajan
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Mrs. Sunitha Peram
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Mrs. Deepheka Ambal Neelamegam
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Mrs. Ushadevi Cellam Deivendran
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Mrs. Padmapriya Soundararajan
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Mrs. Kalaivani Ganesan
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Mrs. Gayatri chakravarthy
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Mrs. Nappinai sunderrajan
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Mrs. Nikita Iyengar
SUNDAY JUNE 8TH 2025
Morning
School - Narthana School of dance
Choreographer - Anusha Naidu
School - Shubha school of arts
Coordinator - Seema
Dance Description
As part of the sacred Brahmotsavam celebrations, our young dancers are offering a traditional piece called Mallari to the divine.
Originally performed by temple musicians on the nadaswaram as the deity was taken in procession, Mallari holds a special place in temple rituals. In dance, it is presented as an invocatory piece, filled with rhythmic vibrance and devotional spirit.
Today, these little ones offer Mallari as a humble prayer through movement, honoring the divine presence with their joy, dedication, and innocence.
Group - Eden Prairie ladies
Choreographer - Vidya Nivas
Dance Description - Kolatam
Dance from Punjab
Choreographer - Abhay Misra
Dance Description - Dance on Mata Rani along with a parade of all deities



