
Holiday declared on May 12 for Chithirai festival in Madurai
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Madurai:
Madurai collector M S Sangeetha
has declared a holiday on May 12 in view of the
Chithirai festival
when
Lord Kallalagar
descends into the
Vaigai river
. To compensate for that holiday, June 14, a Saturday, will be a working day. This local holiday cannot be considered a public holiday under the 1881 Negotiable Instrument Act.
However, the treasuries and sub-treasuries, as well as banks, are directed to work with minimum staff to handle emergency work, said a statement from the collector.
The annual Chithirai festival, one of the important events in Madurai city, attracts more than 15 lakh people. It commences on April 29 with flag hoisting and includes important events like Meenakshi's coronation, the celestial wedding, the chariot procession, and Lord Kallalagar's visit to Madurai city. During these 15 days, Madurai city takes on a festive look, and Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswar are taken around the four Masi streets in the morning and evening.

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The Hindu
16-05-2025
- The Hindu
Lord Kallazhagar reaches His abode
Lord Kallazhagar, the presiding deity of Sundararaja Perumal Temple in Azhagarkoil, reached His abode on Friday morning, on the penultimate day of the Chithirai festival of the temple. On Thursday morning, Lord Kallazhagar on His 'Poo Pallakku' began His return journey to Azhagarkoil. Thousands of devotees had gathered at Tallakulam to catch a glimpse of the deity. The deity, mounted on a palanquin bedecked with flowers, proceeded on the return journey visiting mandagapadis enroute. Lord Kallazhagar halted at Appan Tirupathi on Thursday night. Thousands of devotees from far and near descended at Appan Tirupathi to witness the deity. Special pujas, rituals and cultural programmes were held. The venue wore a festive look on the occasion. The deity then proceeded from Appan Tirupathi at around 3 a.m.. The deity reached His abode in Azhagarkoil at around 10.20 a.m. amid chanting by the devotees. The devotees welcomed Lord Kallazhagar to His abode by sprinkling flowers on the deity as He entered the temple premises. Devotees distributed prasadam to the people. Pumpkins were smashed at the entrance near Pathinettam Padi Karuppanasamy Temple in an attempt to ward off the evil eye. The Chithirai festival will conclude on Saturday with 'Utsava Santhi' performed to the deity.


New Indian Express
14-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Kallalagar to return to Alagar hills today in ‘Mohini alangaram'
MADURAI: A day after the entry of Kallalagar into River Vaigai, the deity as part of the ongoing Chithirai festival in Madurai was taken in a procession to the Thenur mandapam (hall) on Tuesday where the ritual of the lifting of the curse of sage Manduga was performed amid the presence of scores of devotees. On Tuesday, Kallalagar mounted on a golden sesha vahana was taken in a procession to the Thenur mandapam in the Vaigai bed. Later in the night, the Kallalagar procession will reach Ramarayar mandapam in a golden Garuda vahana. As per the ritual, fulfilling the wish of sage Manduga, Kallalagar shows all his 10 avatars (dasavathara darisanam). The rituals are scheduled to be performed at the Ramarayar mandapam. Later on Wednesday, the deity will be adorned in mohini alangaram and will begin the journey back to the Alagar hills. Special crowd regulation measures have been made at both the mandapams. Meanwhile, S Vignesh, a devotee from Kulamangalam, commended the WRD for clearing the invasive plant species ridding the river near Thenur mandapam. 'But throughout the rest of the year, the river remains unmaintained, promoting invasive plant growth and garbage dumping. The corporation and the WRD department could take action.'


Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
Thousands throng to witness liberation of Mandooga Maharishi
Madurai: Devotees gathered in huge numbers in and around the Thenur mandapam in Vandiyur, Madurai, on Tuesday as part of the Chithirai festival, and catch a glimpse of the deities at the highlight event of the ceremony, where Lord Kallazhagar liberated Mandooga Maharishi from his on Monday, lakhs of people witnessed the grand ceremony of Lord Kallazhagar entering the Vaigai river. On Monday night, Kallazhagar halted at Veeraraghava Perumal Temple in Vandiyur. Later, on Tuesday morning, following rituals, with the deity mounted on Sesha Vahanam (vehicle), Kallazhagar procession departed to Thenur mandapam on the Vaigai river in Vandiyur. As special pujas were performed, thousands offered their prayers to the exalted sight of Kallazhagar on Garuda to Hindu mythology, Mandooga Maharishi was performing penance at Noopura Gangai but was cursed to turn into a frog by sage Durvasar for ignoring his presence. The only way his curse would be lifted was by Kallazhagar coming to the banks of the Vaigai river in Thenur, where he performed penance. While originally, the venue was located in Thenur, it was later shifted to Vandiyur. Rituals were held on Tuesday, signifying the lifting of the curse of Mandooga Maharishi. A stork (Naarai) is released to symbolise the lifting of its curse, following arrangements were tightened by the police at the venue of the ceremony, and devotees were allowed in groups to prevent overcrowding. However, devotees complained of being forced to wait outside in huge crowds under the scorching sun instead of experiencing smooth on Tuesday night, Kallazhagar reached the Ramarayar Mandapam. The enactment of 'Dasavatharam', during which the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu are showcased, is held into the early hours of Wednesday. Kallazhagar will be returning to his abode in Alagarkovil hill by May 15.