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Chithirai Festival

Published: 3rd May, 2024

Context

The city of Madurai comes alive each year during the vibrant Chithirai Festival, held in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May).

Historical and Cultural Significance:

  • The festival is celebrated during the month of Chitirai which falls in the month of April. The month long festival is one of the longest that the festivities are divided into two.
    • The first 15 days of the festival are in celebration of Goddess Meenakshi.  
    • The remaining 15 days are celebrated for Alagar (A form of lord Mahavishnu).
  • The festival commemorates the divine marriage of Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) and Goddess Meenakshi, the presiding deities of the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai.
  • Legend has it that Lord Vishnu himself attended the celestial wedding, bestowing his blessings upon the divine union, making it a momentous occasion in Hindu mythology.

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