Digvijayam held at Meenakshi temple
The Digvijayam procession was taken out on the ninth day of the annual Chithirai festival on Wednesday. Goddess Meenakshi's battles in eight directions were enacted by children.
The procession takes place after Pattabhishekam or coronation of Goddess Meenakshi and before Thirukalyanam or the celestial wedding of the Goddess with Lord Sundareswarar.
Goddess Meenakshi, mounted on the 'Indira vimana,' was taken out on a procession. Lord Sundareswarar, along with Goddess Piriyavidai, was also taken out on a procession. Hundreds of devotees witnessed the procession.
According to the legend, Goddess Meenakshi, incarnated as Thadathagai Pirattiyar with three bosoms, is born to King Malayadwaja Pandya and Queen Kanchanamala Devi as an answer for their prayers for a child. The third bosom disappears once She meets Her beloved.
After Goddess Meenakshi is crowned as the queen, She wages war in all eight directions with an aim to expand Her kingdom. She charges towards Mount Kailash in the Himalayas, the abode of Lord Shiva. On seeing Lord Shiva, She is enchanted by Him.
They decide to get married and return to Madurai. The Thirukalyanam is the highlight of the Chithirai festival.
Every year, during the Digvijayam ritual, only boys aged below nine are allowed to enact the roles of the deities. They are the sons of the priests at Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.
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