Chithirai festival is celebrated between the months of April and May. The festival continues for ten days and is held in Madurai. The colorful procession of the festival is an important characteristic of this Chennai religious festival drawing a large crowd of devotees. Fairs and exhibitions also add to the festive mood.
Chithirai festival is celebrated for ten days and is held in the Madurai temple. Every year the festival is celebrated in between the months of April and May, which also marks the beginning of Tamil year. The Chithirai festival is one among the religious festivals of Chennai. The colorful procession of the festival is an important characteristic of this Chennai religious festival drawing a large crowd of devotees.
The Mythological Story
The Chithirai festival takes place to celebrate the legendary marriage of Meenakshi, sister of Lord
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Krishna with Sundareswarer. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Kallazhagar of Lord Vishnu traveled from Azhagarmalai to Madurai to attend the wedding ceremony. Lord Vishnu rode a golden chariot all the way to marry his sister with Sundareswarer. Visitors to the festival experience the mythological story being unfolded in front of them.
About the Festival
Processions are held on the festival day. In the procession idols of the Goddess Meenakshi and Sundareswarer are placed on a majestically decorated chariot and the chariot is driven throughout the town. Drum beats and notes of Nadaswaram accompany the procession thus filling the air with piety and devotion. Devotees gather on the streets and offer flowers, coconuts, camphor and incense sticks as the procession proceeds on its way. Fairs and exhibitions also add to the festive mood.
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