Lord Kallazhagar makes a grand entry into the Vaigai river as part of the month-long Chithirai festival

Madurai: Lord Kallazhagar made a spectacular entrance into the Vaigai river here on Monday as part of the month-long Chithirai festival. This is a major feature of the celebration, which started on April 29 with the raising of the flag at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.

As a symbolic deed to lift Sage Manduka’s curse, Lord Kallazhagar’s entry into the Vaigai River is commemorated annually on Chitra Pournami. According to this custom, Lord Sundararaja Perumal joins the Vaigai River while assuming the appearance of Kallazhagar.

The eighth day of the month marked the start of this year’s Kallazhagar Chithirai festival. On the third day, Sundararaja Perumal, in the guise of Kallazhagar, left the Alagar Temple, which is located close to the Alagar Malai foothills, on a golden palanquin and headed toward Madurai.

Kallazhagar, dressed in “Kandangi” silk, traveled through a number of mandapams, or ceremonial halls, including one at the 18 Steps (Pathinettampadi), close to the Karuppanasamy temple.

Upon arriving in Madurai city before morning, a magnificent greeting ritual took place at the “Moondru Mavadi” site. After that, the god visited a number of locations, including Pudur, Aathikulam, Chokkikulam, and Thallakulam, where he blessed the worshippers assembled in the ornate mandapams. Thousands of followers lined the streets to greet him with sugar lamps.

At the Prasanna Venkatachalapathi Perumal Temple at Thallakulam, Kallazhagar was given a sacred bath known as “Thirumanjanam” at midnight. This was followed by a parade in a palanquin constructed of one thousand gold coins, after which the god was decked with the garland presented by Goddess Andal and transported in a Vettiver (aromatic root) palanquin.

Later, Kallazhagar rode out on a golden horse from the Karuppanasamy Temple in Thallakulam and made his way to the Vaigai River. Devotees costumed as Kallazhagar and Karuppanasamy greeted him with joyful singing, dancing, and splashing of water in places like Tamukkam, Kooripalayam, and Alwarpuram.

Lord Veeraraghava Perumal arrived on a silver horse to greet Kallazhagar as he rode into the Vaigai River on his golden horse.

When he came closer, ladies stood close to “Ramar Paatham” (the symbolic footprint of Lord Rama) and lit sugar lamps to welcome Kallazhagar. As Lord Kallazhagar, clad in green silk, entered the Vaigai River, which was exquisitely adorned with lotus leaves and flowers, the chanting of “Govinda Govinda” reverberated through the air as he blessed the devotees, who were surrounded by lakhs of people. Then he rode his golden horse around the neighborhood three times, giving more blessings.

At mandapams established by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, special pujas and deepa aradhanais (lamp worship) were thereafter conducted for Kallazhagar and Veeraraghava Perumal. The duration of the deepa aradhana was more than an hour. After that, Kallazhagar went to the Ramarayar Mandapam for the “Theerthavari” ceremony.

Two tons of vibrant flowers were placed on the mandapams along the Vaigai River in anticipation of this holy event. Throughout the night, ornamental lights glowed brilliantly, lighting the whole overbridge.

Under the direction of Madurai City Police Commissioner Lokanathan, a strong police presence and iron barriers were put up to guarantee safety.

From Thallakulam to the Vaigai River, thousands of devotees from all states and districts had assembled, causing a joyous atmosphere to permeate the whole city of Madurai. In order to see the miraculous occurrence, devotees even scaled roofs and overpasses.

A sea of devotees was swarming the whole length of the Vaigai River. Many joyfully danced and splashed the river water when Kallazhagar arrived. Medical teams were maintained prepared for emergencies, while fire and disaster rescue teams were positioned along the river.

Arriving since midnight, devotees from other towns patiently waited along the highways before heading to the riverbanks to experience spiritual ecstasy and see Kallazhagar’s holy presence.