Devotees welcome Kallazhagar in Madurai city

Madurai: Lord Kallazhagar entered Madurai city early Thursday morning amid loud chants and celebrations by devotees as part of Ethirsevai celebrations during the Chithirai festival. Resplendent in his regal attire, the deity was brought down from Alagarkoil into the city, passing through Moondrumavadi, K Pudur, via Alagarkovil Main Road. Devotees lined both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of the deity and offer their prayers. In the evening, Kallazhagar arrived at Tallakulam, where he was taken to all the mandagapadis set up between there and the Vaigai.Despite the heat in the morning, lakhs gathered to follow the procession and receive annadhanam offered afterwards as well. V P Manikandan, a social activist and resident of Madurai who also came to see the procession in the morning, said, "Despite the heat, so many people gathered, but the crowd was managed very well by officials and everyone was able to get darshan." Manikandan added that police could make use of loudspeakers to frequently announce to the crowd to be wary of their children and belongings as well. Early on Friday morning, Lord Kallazhagar will enter the Vaigai at the point near AV Bridge in Alwarpuram.