The Chithirai festival (Madurai Chithirai Thiruvizha) சித்திரை திருவிழா (is the name of Tamil Month) is celebrated for 12 days begin with flag hoisting. (8th Apr 2019 Mon 10.05a.m – 10.29 a.m)
Madurai Chithirai Thiruvizha is combination of Meenakshi Temple Festival and ‘Kallazhagar’ festival also take place at the same time.
“Meenakshi Tirukalyanam” on 17th Apr 2019 Wednesday 9.50 a.m – 10.14 a.m (celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar) and Car Festival ( Ther Thiruvizha ) on 18th Apr 2019 Thursday by 5.45 a.m) are highlights of Chithirai festival.
Meenakshi Tirukalyanam
Coronation ceremony (Pattabisekam) Meenakshi is crowned as the queen of Madurai on this day (8th day of Festival) and she will rule her term the Pandya Kingdom for the next four months and after that her husband Lord Sunderaswarar will be crowned as the king of Madurai his term for the next eight months.
Car Festival ( Ther Thiruvizha )
The King and Queen of Pandya Kingdom Lord Sunderaswarar and Meenakshi will come to see their citizens in a well decorated chariot which is a huge and Magnificent wooden structure. Thousands of peoples will gather at the streets of Madurai to pull the chariot and to witness the celebration.
‘Kallazhagar’ (Lord Vishnu) celebrated on Pournami (full moon day) Lord Kallalagar starts from Alagar kovil in the form of Kallar and reaches Madurai on Pournami (Full Moon day) During this festival, the processional idol of Alagar is taken to Madurai, halting at various places on the way.
Azhagar stay at Vaigai River and those three days people gather like anything. People come through carts and stay three to four days along with family members.
Kallazhagar river landing is the most important festival which is on Full moon day of Chithirai month.
Highlights of Chithirai Thiruvizha:
- The month usually comes in Apr or May summer Vacation for most of educational insitutions.
It is customary of local people to host friends and relatives those reside in other towns and states. - Evening procession: It is quite attractive evening procession takes place at Masi streets , big crowd of people flock from various places of town.
- 10th Day festival: Celestial wedding of Goddess is very important among ladies. It is customary of local people to replace their nupital with new one and auspicious to do so and blessed.
- 18th Apr 2019: Car Festival: 11th Day celebration on Masi Streets(3rd Square from Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple)
Also, a mark of unity to celebrate without any difference among people while you see car pulling.
- “Ethir Sevai” festival is celebrated on the day before Alagar steps into river Vaigai. It is a tradition for the people of Madurai to welcome Alagar.
The Tamil Nadu Government conducts annual Chithirai Exhibition (Arasu Chithirai Porutkatchi) at Tamukkam Ground is one of the highlights of the Chithirai Festival.
Come and visit Madurai to have great experience at Madurai Chithirai Thiruvizha (Madurai Chithirai Festival)
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