12-day Chithirai festival starts with flag hoisting in Madurai

Madurai: The annual Chithirai festival of Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai kicked off on Friday morning with flag hoisting, which was followed later in the evening by a procession of deities across the Masi streets. Ahead of the flag hoisting, special pujas were performed for the deities early in the morning. ‘Vaasthu Shanthi’ puja was performed on Thursday.The golden ‘kodimaram’ (flag pole) was decorated brilliantly with flowers. Around 9:30 am, deities Lord Sundareswarar, Goddess Piriyavidai and Goddess Meenakshi were brought before the kodimaram. The flag hoisting ceremony was held between 9:55 am and 10:19 am amid chanting of hymns.
Temple ‘thakkar’ or ‘fit’ person S Rukmini Palanivel Rajan, information technology minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, district collector M S Sangeetha, mayor V Indrani Ponvasanth, city police commissioner J Loganathan and other officials including from HR & CE department were among those present. Scores of devotees chanted ‘Siva Siva’ and offered prayers. Police security was tightened in and around the Meenakshi Amman temple.
In the evening, the deities of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Piriyavidai on ‘Karpaga Vriksha’ vahana (vehicle) and Goddess Meenakshi on ‘Simha’ vahana were taken out in a procession through the four Masi streets and back to the temple. Devotees thronged the roads to witness the procession which saw artists performing various traditional dances. Similar processions with deities on different vahanas (vehicles) will be held daily on the four Masi streets during Chithirai festival. A posse of police personnel was deployed to monitor the crowds and ensure processions are conducted in a peaceful manner.
On the eighth day of the 12-day festival on April 19, the pattabhishekam of Goddess Meenakshi will be performed followed by Dhik Vijayam portrayal on April 20. The highlight event, the celestial wedding of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi, will be held on April 21 and the festival will end on April 23.