Madurai Chithirai Festival Schedule 2017

Madurai Chithirai Festival 2017

The Chithirai festival of Madurai is one of the most colourful and vivacious festivals of the region that falls in the Tamil month of Chithirai, usually between April and May. The festival has cultural and mythological significance that makes it all the more special and unique. It is celebrated from the last 400 years with great enthusiasm and pride. The festival celebrates the wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva with Lord Vishnu’s sister, goddess Meenakshi. The idols of both the groom and bride are carried in gold chariots and people gather in huge number to accompany the God and goddess. The whole procession is a grand affair that includes people from various parts of the country and the world.

The festival lasts for almost 15 days and involves a lot of traditional rituals and practices. People from nearby villages travel on bullock carts as a part of the ancient tradition and consider it a vital part of the festival too. Many more ceremonies can be seen during the festival that includes hosting a flag at the temple, fairs, distributing coconut sweets is another popular custom that catches the eyes of the visitors. The whole ambience is filled with the prayers of the devotees. Chithirai Festival of 2017 is planned to be conducted from 28^thApril to 13^th May 2017 with the same zeal.

The Schedule:

Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple Chithirai Festival Dates:

The festival begins on Friday, April 28, 2017.

28 April 2017 ‐ Friday ‐ Chithirai Thiruvizha Kodiyetram Kodiyetram (Flag Hoisting) ‐ Karpaga

Vriksha, Simha Vahanam

29 April 2017 ‐ Saturday ‐ Bootha, Anna Vahanam

30 April 2017 ‐ Sunday ‐ Kailasa Parvadham, Kamadhenu Vahanam

1 May 2017 ‐ Monday ‐ Thanga Pallakku

2 May 2017 ‐ Tuesday ‐ Vedar Pari Leelai ‐ Thanga Guthirai Vahanam

3 May 2017 ‐ Wednesday ‐ Saiva Samaya Sthabitha Varalatru Leelai ‐ Rishaba Vahanam

4 May 2017 ‐ Thursday ‐ Nantheekeshwarar, Yaali Vahanam

5 May 2017 ‐ Friday ‐ Sree Meenakshi Pattabhishekam ‐ Velli Simhasana Ula

6 May 2017 ‐ Saturday ‐ Sree Meenakshi Digvijayam ‐ Indira Vimana Ula

7 May 2017 ‐ Sunday ‐ Sree Meenakshi Sundareshwarar

Thirukalyanam (Celestial Wedding) ‐ Yaanai Vahanam, Pushpa Pallakku

8 May 2017 ‐ Monday ‐ Thiru Ther ‐ Therottam (Ratha Utsavam, Chariot, Car Festival) ‐

Sapthavarna Chapram

9 May 2017 ‐ Tuesday ‐ Theertham, Velli Virutchaba Sevai

Kallalagar Kallazhagar):

9 May 2017 ‐ Tuesday ‐ Thallakulathil Edhir Sevai

10 May 2017 ‐ Wednesday ‐ Sri Kallazhagar Vaigai Aatril Ezhuntharural ‐ 1000

Ponsaprathudan ‐ Night Saithyobacharam at Vandiyur

11 May 2017 ‐ Thursday ‐ Thirumalirunsolai Sri Kal Azhagar ‐ Vandiyur Thenur Mandapam ‐

Sesha Vahanam in Morning ‐ Garuda Vahanam in the Afternoon ‐ Moksham for Manduga Maharishi

‐ Dasavathara Katchi at Ramarayar Mandapam at Night

12 May 2017 ‐ Friday ‐ Morning Mohanaavatharam ‐ Night Kallazhagar Thirukollam in Pushpa

Pallakku at Mysore Mandapam

13 May 2017 ‐ Saturday ‐ Sri Kal Azhagar Thirumalai Eluntharural