Chitrai Festival | Madurai Festival | Vaigai Festival-Madurai

Several festivals are held throughout the year in Madurai. These festivals attract crowds from far and wide and by far represent some of the grandest celebrations of the Indian subcontinent.

The annual Bhramhotsavam celebrated in the month ofChittirai (Aries) is the most important one and it ties in the legends related to the Madurai temple such as thecoronation of Meenakshi, the Divine marriage etc. The Chittirai festival also coincides with the annual festival atTirumaaliruncholai. The Divine marriage involves a procession of deities from Tirupparamkunram as well, and hence during this time the entire area in and aroundMadurai is transformed into one of a great celebratory space.

The Chittirai festival begins on the 5^th day of the bright half of the month of Chittirai. The key events fall on the 8^th, 9^thand the 10^th days of the festival. The eighth day of theChittirai festival witnesses the coronation of Meenakshiand procession on silver thrones, while the 9^th day is thedigvijaya festival. The 10^th day (Chitra Purnima) marks the wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar.

Legend has it that Vishnu gave his sister away in marriage to Shiva. In commemoration of this legend, an image ofVishnu is brought in procession from Tirupparamkunram toMadurai. Since Subramanya is the presiding deity of theTirupparamkunram temple, an image of Subramanya leads the procession. Following the wedding, images of Meenakshiand Sundareswarar are taken out in a grand procession on a palanquin and a silver elephant respectively. (It is to be noted that the Tirukkalyaanam festival is celebrated onChitra Pournami in all Shiva temples celebrating the annualBhramhotsavam in the month of Chittirai).

During this time, Kallazhagar from Azhagar Koyil(Tirumaaliruncholai) makes a visit to Vandiyur, near theVaigai river, on the eastern outskirts of Madurai. It is believed that Kallazhagar realizes that he is too late for his sisters wedding, so refuses to cross the river and returns disappointed to Azhagar koyil.

Historically, the chittirai festival used to be celebrated inMaasi, hence the festival processions use the Maasi streets. The festival apparently was moved to the month of Chittiraiin the period of the Naik kings so that the timing would synchronize with that of Azhagar Koyil.

The Ther (chariot) festival is celebrated on the 11^th day of the annual festival.