Chitrai Festival of Tamil Nadu
Name of Festival : Chitrai Festival
Time of celebration (Month)
Chitrai Festival is celebrated in Tamil month Chithirai (April-May)
Major Territory of Celebration
Chitrai Festival is celebrated in Tamil Nadu
About Festival
Chithirai festival is held in the famous Madurai temple. Madurai temple is 500-km from Chennai. Chitrai Festival is celebrated for 10 days. The festival marks the marriage of Madurai’s powerful presiding deity, Meenakshi with Lord Shiva. The images of gods and goddesses from the temples are taken to the bed of the river Vaigai on the full moon day. Many people, musicians participate in these processions.
The highlight of the procession of Lord ‘Kallazhagar’ (Lord Vishnu) the elder brother of Goddess Meenakshi, who proceeds from his abode – Azhagarmalai 30-km from Madurai, to give away his sister in marriage to Lord Sundareshwar .’ Kallazhagar’ entering the river Vaigai is indeed a spectacular sight. The atmosphere is one of mirth and merriment.
