Devotees revel in Ethirsevai

Madurai: Amid chants of Govinda, devotional songs and sound of drums blaring, Lord Kallazhagar entered Madurai city in a golden palanquin on Thursday morning as thousands of devotees gathered on the road to welcome him as part of Ethirsevai ceremony.
The deity of Kallazhagar was adorned with the famous Kandangi silk and flowers. From Azhagar Kovil, the deity entered the city through Moondrumavadi, K Pudur and reached Tallakulam Perumal temple.During the journey, the deity of Azhagar changes from his celestial attire and disguises himself as Lord Kallazhagar.
Devotees dressed as Azhagar and Karuppasamy welcomed Lord Kallazhagar by dancing in front of the deity. Women devotees held jaggery-made lamps while many splashed water at the deity using thopparai, a leather bag used to store water. “I like Ethirsevai the most in these fifteen days of Chithirai festival as the ceremony gives the pleasure of receiving God with love and devotion,” said V Udayammai, a resident of Tallakulam.
Later in the evening, the deity was taken to all mandagapadis erected between Tallakulam and Vaigai riverbed. According to Mandagapadi association members, around 450 mandagapadis were erected in the city.