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Chithirai Festival
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The procession of Lord Kallalagar (Lord Vishnu) ,
the elder brother of Goddess Meenakshi, from Alagarmalai to give away his
sister married to Lord Sundareswar. |
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The Chithirai Festival is held during April-May. On this occasion the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar is celebrated. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu as Azhagar rode on a golden horse to Madurai to the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi
(Parvathi) with Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Siva). On the occasion, a
decorated chariot carrying the two idols of the couple is taken around the
town to the tumultuous notes of Nadaswaram and beats of drums. A spiritual
ambience descends on Madurai. As the procession passes through the streets
and in the vicinity of the 'devasthanam', offerings of coconuts,
flowers, camphor and agarbathis are made by devotees. A spirit of devotion
marked by pomp and gaiety pervades right through the day. The festival
draws a mammoth crowd. A trade exhibition and fairs organized here lend
festivity to the occasion. |
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The celebration is filled with pomp and festivity. The Kallalagar
entering the river Vaigai is indeed a spectacular spiritual
sight.
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