Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple procession in Madurai was held on Friday. In turn, millions of devotees gathered on the four streets of Masi and performed darshan.
The Chithrai Festival at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai started on April 5 with the flag hoisting. In turn the daily Swami, the Goddess awoke in various vehicles on the streets of Masi and blessed the devotees. The Tirukkalyanam was held on Thursday following the Meenakshi Amman Pattabhishekam and Dikku Vijayam events. Following this, Meenakshiamman came floating in the streets of Masi in Anandaraya Bhopal on Thursday night.
The procession: The procession, the main event of the Chithirai festival, was held on Friday. Following this, Swami got up to the Sethupathi Maharaja’s mandapam in Ramanathapuram as per the order of Muthambala Mudaliar inside the Amman temple. There special pujas and Deeparathanas were conducted for Swami and Goddess. Following this, in the early hours of the morning, Swami awoke in the thiruthols at the foot of the Amman Keelamasi road.
After the special pujas, Sokkanath got up in a big farewell chariot and Meenakshi in a small chariot. Earlier, special pujas were conducted at the Karuppanaswamy Temple.
The decorated elephant in front of the chariot, the camel went ahead. These were followed by the sabbars where Ganesha was first and Murugan second, followed by Nayanma. The election started at 6.30 am.
Floods: Tens of thousands of youths, college students, devotees and members of various organizations took part in the floods. Bhavani came with Sokkanath and Priya in the big chariot and Goddess Meenakshi in the second chariot. Meenakshi Sundaram, Kalyana Sundaram and Somasundaram greeted the devotees as they swam in the flood.
Millions of devotees gathered on the four streets of Masi in the wake of the floods. Thus the heads of the people were seen turning in all directions in the streets of Masi. A large number of devotees also gathered at the tall buildings on the streets of Masi to witness the procession. Before the rites, the Sivanadis went to sing Thevaram and Thirumanthira songs. Both of the shoulders came around the four Masi streets and then came back to the search.
Festival Kolam: Puliyodarai, Sugar Pongal, Chundal, Nomo, Drinks, Drinks and Drinks were distributed free of cost to the devotees on the streets of Masi and around the Meenakshi Temple during the festival. The whole area was on display at the festival. Following this from Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at 7 pm
Swami and Goddess awoke at Saptavanna Sabbara and blessed the devotees in the four masi streets.