Chithirai Festival

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Context

• Thousands of devotees witnessed Lord Kallazhagar entering the Vaigai river as part of the Chithirai festival.

Details

• The Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, also known as Chithirai Tiruviḻa or Meenakshi Kalyanam, is an annual Tamil Hindu celebration held in Madurai during the month of April.
• Occurring in the Tamil month of Chithirai, the festival is deeply rooted in the Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, an incarnation of Parvati, and her consort Sundareshvara, a form of Shiva.
• Lasting for one month, the festival begins with the coronation of Meenakshi as the divine ruler of Madurai and her marriage to Sundareshvara, celebrated over the first 15 days.
• The subsequent 15 days honor the journey of Kallaḻagar or Aḻagar, a form of Vishnu, from his temple to the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai.

SOURCE: THE HINDU