Lord Kallazhagar enters Vaigai river amid a sea of devotees
The annual Chithirai festival in Madurai reached a crescendo with Lord Kallazhagar entering Vaigai river early on Monday morning.
Lord Kallazhagar draped in green silk attire and mounted on a golden horse, was carried from Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple at Tallakulam to Alwarpuram, the venue of the event. The deity adorning green attire signifies prosperity to people and good yield to farmers. The deity was adorned with the garland brought from Srivilliputhur Andal temple before He left for Vaigai river.
Lord Kallazhagar arrived at the venue at around 5.45 a.m. and as per custom, He was received by Lord Veera Raghava Perumal on a silver horse, who had arrived at the venue at around 4.30 a.m..
The deity entered Vaigai amid the chant of 'Govinda Govinda' from devotees while the Tamil song 'Vararu vararu Azhagar vararu,' played in the background. The Lord was taken in a procession around the makeshift mandagapadis erected at the venue near the Albert Victor Bridge, giving darshan to the devotees.
Lord Kallazhagar, the presiding deity of Sundararaja Perumal Temple in Azhagarkoil, began His journey to Madurai city on Saturday evening. On Sunday, the Lord's visit was celebrated with pomp and gaiety as devotees gathered in large numbers for Ethir Sevai, a tradition of offering prayers to the Lord, who visits His devotees, instead of the devotees visiting the temple.
On Monday, the streets of Madurai were chock a block with devotees who had come from far and near. The devotees were on the Vaigai river bed from Sunday night. Many were perched on vantage points and the Albert Victor Bridge to witness the entry of the Lord into the Vaigai. Youth playfully splashed water on each other and also tried forming human pyramids for fun.
As Lord Kallazhagar made his entry into the river, women devotees were seen holding pots with jaggery and camphor to offer their prayers, a sign of auspiciousness. Children were seen sitting on the shoulders of their parents to catch a glimpse of the deity.
According to legend, Lord Kallazhagar travels from Azhagarkoil to witness the celestial wedding of His sister Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar. Upon reaching Madurai, He learns from Lord Veera Ragava Perumal that the wedding has already been solemnised. A dejected Lord Kallazhagar chooses not to cross the Vaigai river. He is angered to learn that the wedding was over before His arrival.
The Saivite Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple festival and the Vaishnavite Azhagar festival were two separate events. Around 500 years ago, King Thirumalai Nayak clubbed the two festivals to boost harmony and economy of Madurai.
The deity left Vaigai at around 7.35 a.m. to Rama Rayar Mandapam for Theerthavari ritual. Devotees dressed as Lord Kallazhagar and Pathinettam Padi Karuppu, sprayed water from bags made of goatskin on the deity to beat the sweltering heat. Water is sprayed on Him to cool Him down. It is believed that dressing up like Lord Kallazhagar is a way to please Him to fulfil their vows. The deity will halt at Vandiyur Veera Raghava Perumal Temple late on Monday night.
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