On Wednesday, the eleventh day of the annual Chithirai festival, a sizable crowd of worshippers flocked to Madurai's four Masi lanes to see the chariot celebration of the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
East Masi Street was the starting point for the chariot procession. Hundreds of people are tugging the ropes of the Chariot and leading it around the four Masi streets while singing the hymns and names of Meenakshi Amman.
To control the massive gathering of worshippers and ensure security for the chariot, cops were also sent out in considerable numbers.
On the tenth day of the Chithirai festival, hundreds of devotees visited the Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple.
The Chithirai event was attended on Tuesday by more than 20 transgender people who wore “mulaipari” on their heads.
One of the transgender people who was there for the celebrations remarked, “Usually we go to the Chithirai festival at the Koothandavar temple, but this time we decided to go to the Madurai Chithirai festival. Being a part of the Madurai Chithirai Festival makes us extremely delighted.
Many kids took part in the festivities on the tenth day of the festival while dressed as Sivan, Meenakshi Amman, and Murugan. By dressing up their kids as gods, parents led the procession down the street.
For the past nine days, Megasai, a 7-year-old girl, has been marching in the procession while wearing various outfits, including Kundavai and Goddess Meenakshi garb.
Recently, Megasai participated in the procession as Kundavai (princess of the Chola kingdom), a part that actress Trisha performed in the Maniratnam film Ponniyin Selvan 2 that just came out. On social media, it became popular. Trisha complimented the young woman Megasai after seeing this picture on social media.
Megasai said, “I attended the Cithirai festival costumed as Princess Kundavai and Goddess Meenakshi. I disguised myself like Sundari the day before yesterday, and actress Trisha liked it.
“I wanted my kid to participate in the event dressed as a deity. So, this year, I went to the festival with her dressed as Kundavai and Goddess Meenakshi, and Trisha the actress gave my daughter praise. Megasai's mother, Priya, stated, “Today my daughter dressed up as Lord Meenakshi Amman.
On Monday, the ninth day of the Chithirai festival, thousands of devotees attended the Thirukalyanam (celestial wedding) ceremony performed at the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Numerous worshippers who did not have access to the temple watched the rituals being broadcast live on an LED screen outside the building.
On Monday, the goddess Meenakshi Amman was the subject of the pattabhishekam event, commonly referred to as the coronation ceremony.
Following a number of rites, the deity's diamond crown received a “Abhishekam,” and then lamps were lit as part of the “Deeparadhana” portion of the ceremony.
'Rayar's Crown' is the name of the diamond crown that adorns Meenkasi Amman and is located atop this temple. This diamond crown is said to have been given to Goddess Meenakshi by Appaji Rayar, a courtier of King Krishnadevaraya.
The event commemorates the handover of the reins of the city from Lord Sundareswarar to Lord Meenakshi in the Tamil month of Avani to Chitrai.
On April 23, the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, hosted the flag-hoisting ceremony for the 'Chithirai' festival.
The deities of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple were dressed in traditional armour, set with diamonds, and carried out for a parade through the streets on April 27, the fourth day of the Chithirai festival.
Theerthavari at the Meenakshi Amman temple marks the end of the festival on May 4.
On May 5, Kallaghar plunges into the Vaigai River as part of the Chitrai celebration.
throughout honour of Lord Kallazhagar's entrance into the Vaigai River, the Madurai district government has declared May 5 to be a holiday throughout the district.
