Latest news with #Chithiraifestival
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- General
- 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
- General
- 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
- General
- 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.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
Teen drowns in Vaigai river near Sholavandan
1 2 Madurai: A 17-year-old boy who came to witness the Chithirai festival near Sholavandan in Madurai on Monday drowned in the Vaigai said S Jayavasikaran, 17, currently residing at Kariapatti in Virudhunagar, came with his family to Sholavandan to witness the Sri Narasinga Perumal Temple Chithirai festival. On the course of the festival, he and his friend Ayyanar were playing in the river. There was a good flow in the river as water was being released from the Vaigai dam for the Lord Kallazhagar's entry into the boys suddenly entered deep water and were unable to stay afloat. Passersby heard their cries and rushed to save them. While Ayyanar was rescued, Jayavasikaran drowned. Fire and rescue service personnel recovered Jayavasikaran's body and sent it for a postmortem examination. Ayyanar was admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital. Police registered a case and are the Madurai city police issued a statement denying reports that the death of an unidentified man was due to being caught in the Chithirai festival crowd. Police said that the man's body was found below the Yanaikkal new bridge and was later identified to be K Marikannan, 42, of Sellur. They said Marikannan was separated from his family three years ago and was sleeping on streets. He died due to illness and his death was unrelated to the Chithirai festival crowd, police said.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- The Hindu
Two boys drown in Vaigai river in Sholavandan
Two boys drowned in the Vaigai river at Sholavandan near here on Monday in which one of them was rescued and the other died. The police identified the deceased as S. Vaseegaran, 16, of Kariapatti. The police said that Vaseegaran had come to his grandparents house in Sholavandan for the Chithirai festival at Janagai Narayanaperumal Temple. Along with N. Ayyanar, 17, he had been playing in the Vaigai river where the Water Resources Department has been releasing water from Vaigai dam in connection with Chithirai festival ritual of Lord Kallazhagar entering Vaigai river. The boys, who were playful, had got into the deeper side and drowned. While Ayyanar raised an alarm and people who were around pulled him out within few minutes. He was rushed to the Government Hospital in Sholavandan where he was given first aid. Later, he was admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai. Meanwhile, a search was launched by the firemen for the missing boy. He was found some 100 metres downstream as he was washed away by the strong current in the river. He was declared brought dead by the doctor at the GH in Sholavandan. Sholavandan police are investigating.
