MADURAI: Lakhs of devotees from various parts of the country witnessed the historical event of Lord Kallazhagar’s entry into the Vaigai river’, the spectacular event considered as one of the grandest religious celebrations in the Sub-Continent, which held here today as part of the ongoing12-day annual Chithirai Brahmotsavam festival of the world renowned Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple.
The bedecked idol of Lord Sundararaja Perumal, also popularly called as ‘Lord Kallazhagar’ attired in Green Silk and mounted on the magnificent Golden Stallion (Thanga Kuthirai Vaahanam) was taken out in a grand procession from the Lord Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Perumal temple at Tallakulam locality in the city, followed by thousands of devotees chanting ‘Govinda…Govinda…’ entered the Vaigai river this morning.
At the river bed , the deity was received as per tradition by Lord Veeraraghava Perumal, mounted on his silver stallion.
Earlier, a garland of Tulsi, brought from the famous Sri Aandal Temple at Srivilliputhur, was adorned to Lord Kallazhagar – a customary practice to express the affection of Goddess Aandal towards the lord.
After the rituals in Vaigai river, Lord Kallazhagar was taken in a procession to the historic Ramarayar Mandapam in the city where devotees sprayed water on the Lord as part of the tradition.
Myths have it that Lord Kallazhagar enters the River Vaigai on the third day after the Celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar at the temple.
The district administration in coordination with various government departments had made elaborate arrangements for the event. A local holiday had also been declared for Madurai district in view of the event.
The bedecked idol of Lord Sundararaja Perumal, also popularly called as ‘Lord Kallazhagar’ attired in Green Silk and mounted on the magnificent Golden Stallion (Thanga Kuthirai Vaahanam) was taken out in a grand procession from the Lord Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Perumal temple at Tallakulam locality in the city, followed by thousands of devotees chanting ‘Govinda…Govinda…’ entered the Vaigai river this morning.
At the river bed , the deity was received as per tradition by Lord Veeraraghava Perumal, mounted on his silver stallion.
Earlier, a garland of Tulsi, brought from the famous Sri Aandal Temple at Srivilliputhur, was adorned to Lord Kallazhagar – a customary practice to express the affection of Goddess Aandal towards the lord.
After the rituals in Vaigai river, Lord Kallazhagar was taken in a procession to the historic Ramarayar Mandapam in the city where devotees sprayed water on the Lord as part of the tradition.
Myths have it that Lord Kallazhagar enters the River Vaigai on the third day after the Celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar at the temple.
The district administration in coordination with various government departments had made elaborate arrangements for the event. A local holiday had also been declared for Madurai district in view of the event.