Latest news with #SethupathiHigherSecondarySchool
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
‘Thirukalyanam', the wedding for the masses
Elaborate arrangements had been made for the devotees who gathered on Chithirai streets outside Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai to witness the 'Thirukalyanam' (celestial wedding) of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar on Thursday. Giant LED screens had been installed on all corners of the Chithirai streets for devotees to have a virtual glimpse of the 'Thirukalyanam'. As per tradition, the women devotees replaced their 'Thali' with a new one on the occasion. The devotees eagerly paid 'moi' outside the temple as if it is the wedding of known persons. Several people distributed mangalsutra, vermilion powder and pictures of the presiding deities to fulfil their vow. People of all ages from different parts of the State had come along with their families to attend the grand event. Tin sheet roofs had been installed around the Chithirai streets and other places near the temple to protect the devotees from the sweltering summer heat. Water bottles, biscuits and hand fans were also distributed. A large number of police personnel had been deployed around the temple, and ambulances, fire tenders and mobile toilets stationed near the premises. Following the celestial wedding, thousands of devotees headed to the 'Thirukalyana Virundhu' organised by Pazhamudir Solai Thiruvarul Murugan Bhaktha Sabhai at Sethupathi Higher Secondary School, where close to a lakh devotees were treated to a grand feast. The devotees were served several dishes that included 'ven pongal', sambar rice, tomato rice, curd rice and vegetable pulao. The essential items like rice, ghee, oil and vegetables were contributed by the devotees.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Devotees from far and near throng Meenakshi temple to witness celestial wedding
Thousands of devotees from far and near thronged Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai on Thursday to witness the grand 'Thirukalyanam' (celestial wedding) of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar on the 10th day of the annual Chithirai festival. The celestial wedding, the highlight of the festival, took place at the flower-bedecked Thirukalyana Mandapam between 8.30 a.m. and 8.59 a.m.. The 'Thirumangalyam' was placed on Goddess Meenakshi at 8.55 a.m. amid chanting of hymns. Lord Sundareswarar, Goddess Piriyavidai and Goddess Meenakshi were brought to the decorated dais following a procession along the Chithirai streets amid chants from the devotees. The 'wedding guests', Lord Subramaniaswamy, the presiding deity of Subramaniaswamy Temple at Tirupparankundram, His consort Goddess Deivanai and Lord Pavalakkanivai Perumal, arrived at the venue. The deities were dressed up in silk attires and decked up in gold. U. Shunmuga Sundara Bhattar and V. Karthikeya Bhattar performed the holy rituals and exchanged the garlands on behalf of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. As the 'Thirumangalyam' was placed on Goddess Meenakshi, women devotees replaced their 'Thali' with a new one as per custom. It is believed that the ritual strengthens their marital bond. Rose water and flowers were sprinkled on the deities followed by the 'maha deeparadhana'. Later, the deities were taken to the old 'Thirukkalyana Mandapam' on the temple premises for the devotees to offer their prayers. Outside the temple on the four Chithirai streets, the devotees gathered in large numbers and watched the grand event telecast on huge LED screens. The devotees started pouring into the venue as early as 5 a.m. and stayed till the end of the event. The devotees paid 'moi' outside the temple and were given a receipt and a gift bag containing a mangalsutra, vermilion powder and pictures of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. Following the celestial wedding, the devotees headed to Sethupathi Higher Secondary School for the Thirukalyana Virundhu (marriage feast). Ministers for Commercial Taxes and Registration P. Moorthy, Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Chairperson of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple Board of Trustees Rukmini Palanivel Rajan, Madurai Collector M.S. Sangeetha, Corporation Commissioner Chitra Vijayan, Commissioner of Police J. Loganathan, MLAs, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department officials and others were present at the event.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Diversion of vehicles through Kulamangalam Road can reduce congestion in core city areas
With the majority of the work of constructing the 'cut and cover' canal for draining surplus water from Sellur irrigation tank into Vaigai river getting over, the stretch of Kulamangalam Road between Madurai North Bank Road near Thathaneri and 60 Feet Road could be used to divert vehicles to decongest traffic at Simmakkal and Palam Station Road junction. All that the police need to do is ask Corporation officials to make the dug-up stretch of Kulamangalam Road temporarily motorable for easing traffic movement on arterial roads of the city during the Chithirai festival. Ever since the daily procession of deities around Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple started, Madurai City Traffic Police are closing Masi Streets from time to time to facilitate the procession. The wider Masi Streets used to take a good part of the core city's traffic movement along the streets and lanes around the temple. However, prohibition of vehicle movement on the Masi Streets during the evenings till night is causing heavy traffic congestion on Veli Streets, especially East and North Veli Streets, leading to traffic snarls during peak hours. This often leads to piling up of vehicles from Goripalayam junction up to Sethupathi Higher Secondary School and from Simmakkal up to Palam Station Road junction and Tallakulam. Earlier, during the festival time, the traffic police used to divert the vehicles bound to northern parts of the city like Alagarkoil Road, New Natham Road and Rathinasamy Nadar Street through Kulamangalam Road and 60 Feet Road. However, since the work of constructing the 290-metre-long canal was under way on Kulamangalam Road, vehicle movement was diverted away from this road. Since, the physical work of the canal is over, temporary restoration of the road could help divert a good number of vehicles, including light vehicles, during the festival. This road will be of greater help during the two-day procession of Lord Kallazhagar alternating on New Natham Road and Alagarkoil Road.
