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Chithirai Festival - 11 to 25 April 2024

The Chithirai Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Madurai. It goes on for around two weeks and represents a re-enactment of the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva). The festival takes place on the 5th day of the Tamil month Chithirai (April). The Chithirai Festival takes place at the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. There are also beautiful parades organized in the streets around the temple.

According to Legend, Lord Kallazhaga (Lord Vishnu), brother of Goddess Meenakshi, came mounted on a golden horse to Madurai from Azhagar Kovil to participate in the celestial wedding of his sister. However, he misses the wedding as he arrived late. This made him furious. To pacify him, Meenakshi and Sundareshvara came to the Vaigai river. Aḻagar chose to give all the gifts that he carried to Meenakshi and Sundareshvara in a mandapa in the middle of the Vaigai river, and returned to Aḻagar Hill without entering Madurai. The whole festival revolves around this legend.

The celebrations begin with a flag hoisting ceremony, the most important celebrations happen towards the end of the festival. A chariot is decorated, which carries the two idols of the couple. It is then taken around in a procession accompanied by loud music and beats of drums. As the procession passes through the streets, devotees put forward offerings of flowers, coconuts, camphor and incense sticks. Fairs and trade exhibitions are also organized on this occasion. The festival attracts a massive crowd.

The festival is celebrated with immense excitement and the zeal of a real wedding. The celebrations spread out all over the city and the streets remain crowded with devotees. Many people from neighbouring cities and states come to witness this festival. The last five witness the coronation, the procession, the Celestial wedding of God and Goddess, the Procession of temple chariots and the Return of Lord Kallazhaga.

Starting with the flag hoisting of the Meenakshi Temple and lasting for a total of 15 days. The flag remains atop of the Meenakshi Temple until the conclusion of the Chithirai month, till celebrations go on.

The important events are

Pattabisekam: coronation ceremony when Meenakshi is crowned as queen of Madurai.

Meenakshi Tirukalyanam : The traditional wedding of Meenakshi amman and Lord Shiva is celebrated in opulent style and grandeur.

Ther Thiruvizha : The procession after the wedding, when the King and Queen of Pandya Kingdom Lord Sunderaswarar and Meenakshi come to see their citizens in a beautifully decorated chariot.

Etir Sevai: When Alagar enters Madurai city and the people of the city welcome him.

Alagar Vaigai Elenthuarulal: Lord Alagar reaches the wedding of his sister a day later. He returns back to Alagarkovil after giving gifts to Meenakshi and Sundereswarar. This takes place in a mandapam in the middle of river Vaigai.