List of events

The following are the list of events of the famous Chithirai Thiruvizha.

Kodi Yetram

The Chithirai Thiruvizha commences with the chief priest of Meenakshi amman hoisting the holy flag on the KodiMaram (Flag post) of the temple. This event signifies the declaration of the month-long festivities open. This hoisted flag will stay on the flag post until the end of the festival.

Anna vahanam

The day following the Kodi yetram (Flag hoisting) is the “Anna vahanam”. On this day, an idol of the God will be seated on the Hamsa bird (Goose or swan) and is taken around the temple through the streets for a procession. Special rituals will be conducted for the god during this Chithirai Thiruvizha

Kamadhenu vahanam or Kailasa Parvadham

The Kamadhenu vahanam follows the Anna Vahana, on the subsequent day. Kamadhenu refers to the divine cow in the puranas. The idol of the deity is placed on the Kamadhenu (Vehicle) and is taken around the temple streets in procession.

Thanga Pallaku

Pallaku is the sedan which was used traditionally to carry royals in the ancient times. When this sedan is made of gold, it is called the “Thanga Pallaku”. The goddess is carried in the Thanga Pallaku, which will be lifted by the devotees and taken around the Meenakshi Amman temple. This is one of the major events of this Chithirai Thiruvizha.

Yaali vahanam

Yaali denotes to the creature having  lion’s head and elephant’s trunk. The images of Yaali is often found in many pillars of South Indian temples. The vigraha of Goddess Meenakshi is placed on the top of this Yaali Vahana and is brought in procession to the temple. The  Goddess is dressed beautifully during this event, which is a real treat to the onlookers eyes.

Pattabisekam

Pattabisekam refers to the coronation ceremony. Goddess Meenakshi is crowned as the queen of Madurai on this day. Of the total twelve months in a year, Goddess Meenakshi is believed to rule the Pandya Kingdom for the next four months, after which her husband Lord Sunderaswarar will take over as the king of Madurai for the subsequent eight months.

Dikvijayam

When Meenakshi amman was crowned the Queen of Pandya kingdom, she is said to have fought many wars and had conquered the entire world. She went on to Kailaayam (The Place of Lord Shiva in Himalayas) to conquer the place too, but fell in love with Lord Shiva on seeing him in the battlefield. She later married him at Madurai.

Meenakshi Thirukalyanam

“Meenakshi Tiukalyanam” refers to the great grand wedding celebration of Meenakshi amman with Lord Shiva in Madurai. Lord Shiva comes to Madurai to marry Menakshi, in a grand wedding celebration. This traditional wedding ceremony of the divine couple is still followed today.

Ther Thiruvizha

The day after the Meenakshi Tirukalyanam is the Ther Thiruvizha (Car Festival). The King and Queen of the Pandya Kingdom, Lord Sunderaswarar and Meenakshi visits their citizens in a well decorated magnificent wooden Chariot.  Thousands of devotees throng the streets of  Madurai, to pull this huge chariot and to witness the grand celebration.

Ethir Sevai

Part of the Chithirai Thiruvizha is the Brahmotsavam at Lord Kallazhagar Temple or the Alagarkoil. The ‘Ethir Sevai’ begins on the fourth day of the Chithirai festival. Lord Alagar enters the city of Madhura and its people are seen welcoming him.

Alagar Vaigai Elenthuarulal

Azhagar sets out to witness the marriage of Madurai Meenakshi Amman with Lord Sundareshwarar. He makes a couple of stops in between, on the journey from Alagar hills. When reaching the Vaigai river, he comes to know that wedding got over. Hence he gets angry and returns back to Alagarkovil, after giving away the wedding gifts to Meenakshi and Sundereswarar. This incident happens in a mandapam in the middle of river Vaigai.

Alagar Vaigai attril Elunthuarulal.

Dasavatharam

“Das”means ten in number. “Avatharam” means incarnation. Hence  “Dasavatharam” refers to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The vigrahas of all the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are displayed during this Chithirai festival. Many sacred rituals are conducted to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu. This event is celebrated at the Ramarayar Mandapam, which is located in the northern part of River Vaigai.

Poopalaku

After the Dasavatharam festival, in Meenakshi Amman temple, Lord Alagar will be brought in a palanquin decorated with sweet smelling flowers. It is a tradition and custom followed by the devotees in order to show their reverence in the welcoming lord.