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The Chithirai festival is held in the famous
Madurai temple, 500-km from
Chennai. The
festivity starts from the Tamil month Chithirai (April-May) and ends on
the tenth day. The celebration is filled with pomp and festivity.
The
Remarkable Procession
The highlight is the procession of Lord 'Kallazhagar' (Lord Vishnu) the
elder brother of Goddess Meenakshi, who proceeds from his abode -
Azhagarmalai 30-km from Madurai,
to give away his sister in marriage to Lord Sundareshwar. One can witness
an ancient legend unfold right before your eyes as Lord Vishnu rides to
his sister's wedding on gleaming real-gold horse chariot. The
'Kallazhagar' entering the river Vaigai is indeed a spectacular sight.
Legend
Legend has it that Lord Vishnu as Azhagar rode on a golden horse to
Madurai to the celestial wedding
of Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) with Lord Sundareshwar (Lord Shiva).
Celebrations
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',
devotees make offerings of coconuts, flowers, camphor and Agarbattis
(incense sticks). 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.
The famous festivals held at Madurai, include "Teppam festival", the annual float festival, wherein the images of Sri Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwar are mounted on floats, and taken to Mariamman Teppakkulam tank, where for several days they are pulled back and forth across the water in the middle of the tank, on an illuminated raft embellished with flowers, before being taken back to the main temple.
Air: Madurai
is well-connected by air with
Mumbai and
Chennai.
Madurai airport is 10-km away
from the city.
Rail: Madurai has direct
rail connections to almost all the major southern cities Bangalore,
Coimbatore, Kollam,
Chennai,
Rameswaram,
Thanjavur,
Tiruchirappalli,
Tirunelveli, Tirupathi and
Tuticorin.
Road: There are excellent roads connecting
Madurai to all parts of South
India. Madurai city has 5 Major Bus Stands- Periyar Bus Stand, Anna Bus
Stand, Palanganatham Bus Stand, Arapalayam Bus Stand, Mattuthavani Bus
Stand plying buses regulalrly to all the important cities within and
beyond the state.
Accommodation is available at the star and economy class hotels, lodges and cottages in Madurai.