Kallazhagar enters Vaigai, lakhs gather for Chithirai festival spectacle

Madurai: As the first light of dawn coloured the sky over the Vaigai on Monday, chants of "Govinda, Govinda" echoed across Madurai as Lord Kallazhagar stepped into the riverbed—a defining moment of the annual Chithirai Festival that draws lakhs of devotees.Adorned in green silk symbolising prosperity, and mounted on a golden horse, the deity's ceremonial entry around 6 am marked the spiritual high point of the festival, which re-enacts the legend of Lord Vishnu arriving late for his sister Meenakshi's wedding and blessing devotees in penance.The festivities began on April 29, with Kallazhagar's journey from Alagar Kovil. On Saturday, the deity set out on a golden palanquin, stopping at over 450 decorated mandagapadis across the city. On Sunday night, he reached the Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple in Thallakulam, where rituals including Thirumanjanam and the garland offering from Goddess Andal were performed before the deity mounted the Ayirampon Sapparam and then the golden horse for his river entry.As tradition dictates, Lord Veera Raghava Perumal from the Venkatachalapathy Temple greeted Kallazhagar on a silver horse at the Vaigai's northern bank, symbolising divine camaraderie.The riverbed, adorned with lotus leaves, marigolds, and fabric canopies, became a sacred stage for devotion. Devotees—many camping overnight—lined the banks with sakkarai deepams (jaggery lamps), while women performed deeparadhana. Children in traditional dress splashed water joyfully, continuing a generational ritual. Kallazhagar performed three symbolic circumambulations in the riverbed, giving devotees close darshan before the procession moved toward Ramarayar Mandapam.Elaborate security and civic arrangements were in place. Madurai city police set up barricades for crowd control, while fire services, ambulances, and medical teams were deployed along the banks. Over 430 sanitation workers were on duty to manage the festival waste, which is expected to spike by 40–50 metric tonnes daily. Drinking water tanks and over 20 public toilets were made available.This year, special viewing spaces were arranged on Albert Victor Bridge for persons with disabilities. "We could stand on our two-wheelers and get a better view," said N Manikandan from K K Nagar.Several devotees also performed nerthikadan (ritual head shaving) along the river, offering personal vows to the deity. Later, Kallazhagar moved to Ramarayar Mandagapadi, where the Theerthavari (sacred water offering) was performed. The Vaigai zone and adjoining streets remained lit through the night, matching the spiritual fervour with festive brilliance.The deity will continue to visit other mandagapadis before returning to Alagar Kovil on Thursday, following rituals at Thennur Mandapam and Dashavathara Kollam.MSID:: 121112407 413 |