Chithirai festival preparations begin in Madurai

Madurai: The work for the famed Chithirai festival of Madurai commenced with the planting of muhurthakal (auspicious pole) on Friday. The festival will commence on April 29 with a flag hoisting and will culminate on May 12 when Lord Kallalagar, coming to the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, enters into the Vaigai river.The preparation for the festival starts with the planting of ‘moorthakal' at Meenakshi temple as well as at East Masi Street for the temple chariot shed. The auspicious pole, blessed by the priests, was brought from Meenakshi Temple to East Masi Street with the temple elephant leading the procession.After special prayers, the pole was planted, and another auspicious pole was planted at the wedding hall venue of the celestial wedding inside the temple premises. With this, the Chithirai festival work formally commences in Meenakshi Temple. The temple authorities announced the schedule for the festival with Meenakshi's coronation on May 6, and the celestial wedding on May 8, followed by her chariot procession on May 9.At Lord Kallalagar Temple in Alagarkoil, the deity will leave the temple on May 10, and he will be received at Madurai on May 11 and will descend into the river on May 12, marking the most significant event of Madurai city that will attract more than 15 lakh people from the city and suburbs.