Introduction

Goddess Meenakshi is married off to Sundereshwar on the last day of the ten-day-long Chithirai Festival in the month of April-May every year. The temple town of Madurai exudes a festive atmosphere during this time of the year, with pilgrims and tourists gathering in thousands to witness one of the most spectacular temple festivals in South India. The wedding ceremony is celebrated on a full moon day when the idol of Lord Vishnu, locally known as Azhagar, is taken in and around Madurai atop a beautiful golden horse. According to folklore, Azhagar is taken to Madurai to attend the wedding ceremony of his sister goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) with Lord Sundereshwar (Shiva) at the Meenakshi Temple. As the custom goes, Lord Vishnu rides all the way from the Azhagar Temple about 21 kilometers (13 miles) in Madurai to attend the wedding, but he never makes it for the wedding as he is held back by the devotees.

After the lord starts to cross the Vaigai River he learns of the completion of the wedding ceremony. Ireful he decides to not meet his sister and rides back to his temple. During the occasion, you can experience all the ceremonies associated with a traditional Hindu marriage, its sheer scale and the profusion of colors. It is wonderful to see Meenakshi and Sundereshwar decked gorgeously like a bride and groom in preparation for their impending wedding. A procession of the couple is carried out even ten days before the wedding ceremony along the famous Maasi Street of Madurai.

In the early times, the festival was celebrated in the Tamil month of Maasi, but was shifted to the month of Chithirai during the Nayak period. Last three days of the ten-day-long celebration are the most important and suffuses the place with a festive aura, what with the last day marking the main event – the wedding of the Lord and the Goddess. Lord Subramanian is also said to arrive from Thirupurakundram temple to witness the wedding celebrations.

Madurai attracts a great number of visitors from across the country and outside at this time of the year. If you are energetic enough to follow the colorful procession by making your way through the crowd, and experience the wedding ceremony, start early in the day. Put on your walking shoes, carry sunshades, a bottle of drinking water, dab some sunscreen lotion and you are all set to partake in the Chithirai Poornima festivities. All the way take extra care of your belongings especially wallet and camera!

Special Attributes

It is one of the most spectacular temple festivals in South India.

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Wear light cotton clothes and put on your walking shoes.

Connectivity

From the bus stand and railway station, buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available to reach the temple. From airport too, which lies at the distance of 10 kilometers from the city, taxis and auto rickshaws are available for the site.

Enjoyed by

Backpackers, Families

Exposure

You will mostly be outdoors. The sun could be harsh in the noon - you are advised to carry a cap, sunshades and a bottle of drinking water.

Avoidable Season

June to March

Facilities

Great opportunity to experience local life in Madurai, witness the traditional Hindu wedding ritual and an array of colorful ceremonies.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction.

Tip

Put on your walking shoes, carry sunshades, a bottle of drinking water, and dab some sunscreen lotion. All the way take extra care of your belongings especially wallet and camera!

Type of site

Ceremonial procession