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The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Sea of devotees pulls Meenakshi temple cars along Masi streets
Thousands of devotees descended on the four Masi streets in Madurai to witness the 'Therottam' (grand car festival) of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple on the penultimate day of the annual Chithirai festival on Friday. Ahead of the temple car procession, the deities — Goddess Meenakshi, Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Piriyavidai — were brought to the 'Thermutti' on East Masi Street, where the vibrantly decorated temple cars were stationed. Following special pujas to the deities by the temple priests, the car procession began at 6.35 a.m. The bigger temple car carried Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Piriyavidai and the smaller car carried Goddess Meenakshi. The deities were dressed in silk attires and decked up in gold. Thousands of volunteers pulled the 300-metre-long 'vadams' (ropes) amid chanting by devotees. While the Masi streets were chock-a-block with people, the terraces were no less crowded. People were perched on terraces and rooftops of houses and commercial establishments in order to catch a glimpse of the colourful procession. Children sitting on the shoulders of their parents to get a better view of the car procession was a common sight. Long cloth canopies ('thervalais') filled with colourful motifs and festoons swaying in the air from the dark-brown intricately worked body of the temple cars was a sight to behold. People had set up stalls offering 'prasadam' to the devotees at many places. Buttermilk, juices, water bottles, food packets, caps and hand fans were distributed to the devotees. People made a beeline for the stalls to receive the prasadam and parcel some for their families and friends. There was a festive look everywhere with many stalls selling traditional and fancy items attracting elders and children alike. A large number of police personnel had been deployed along the procession route to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. Fire tenders and ambulances had been stationed along the route. Sanitary workers were on their toes and removed disposable plates, cups and water bottles that were discarded by the devotees. The workers cleared the debris in double-quick time. The car procession ended at around 1 p.m. According to the inscriptions on the temple walls, the first car festival was held in Madurai around 700 years ago during the reign of King Veerapandian. The temple cars used presently were made by King Thirumalai Nayak around 380 years ago.
New Indian Express
09-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Thousands witness Meenakshi Sundareswarar celestial wedding in Madurai
MADURAI: Several thousands of devotees watched the celestial wedding of goddess Meenakshi and lord Sundareswarar that was solemnised by priests in mithuna lagnam between 8.35 am - 8.59 am on Thursday. The ceremonies started at 4 am with Odhuvars singing hymns from the Thirumurai. The processional deities of lord Pavala Kanivai Perumal and lord Subramaniya Swamy from Thiruparangundram temple arrived at the thirukalyana mandapam around 6 am following which the deities of goddess Meenakshi and lord Sundareswarar were brought to the mandapam in a procession at 8.15 am. As the celestial wedding took place, married women changed their mangalsutra. After the wedding ceremony, the deities remained in the mandapam till Thursday evening for devotees to have darshan. Ministers P Moorthy and Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and other dignitaries from Madurai participated in the event.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Thousands Throng to Celebrate Meenakshi Sundareswarar Celestial Wedding in Madurai
Madurai: Amid a sea of devotees filling the air with intense devotion, the and , the highlight event of the 12-day annual Chithirai festival, was held with the tying of the divine knot amid the chanting of Vedic hymns at the Sri in Madurai city on the 10th day of the Chithirai festival, devotees started lining up in numbers from as early as 4 am at the temple to catch a glimpse of the grand 'Thirukalyanam' ceremony. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A traditional stage decorated with several tonnes of flowers was set up at the junction of North and West Aadi streets inside the temple premises. Deities of Lord Sundareswarar, Goddess Piriyavidai, and were taken out in a procession around the Chithirai streets before being brought to the stage. Lord Subramaniaswamy from the Subramaniaswamy Temple at Thiruparankundram, Goddess Deivanai, and Lord Pavalakkanivai Perumal also graced the Meenakshi was decked majestically in a maroon-coloured silk saree, whereas Lord Sundareswarar was dressed in a white silk veshti (dhoti). Both deities were decorated with gold jewellery and flowers. Two priests enacted the celestial wedding as Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar and exchanged garlands. Amid the chanting of hymns, the wedding ceremony was held between 8:35 am and 8:59 am, with the divine knot tied at 8:53 am. Flowers were showered on the deities, and then 'Deeparadhanai' was performed under the gaze of enthralled per an age-old tradition, married women devotees gathered inside and outside the temple changed their 'thali' (sacred marriage thread) during the wedding ceremony. "I was thankfully able to witness the celestial wedding in the temple this year by getting a ticket. This is my second time. It is said that Goddess Meenakshi herself should grant the blessing to anyone to be able to witness this divine sight. We all feel extremely blessed," said N Sri Devi, a 34-year-old screens were set up at 20 locations for devotees outside the temple. More than 3,000 police personnel were deployed for security arrangements in and around the temple, and barricades were set up to streamline devotees' entry and exit. There was brief tension as a newly-married couple were looking to exchange the sacred marriage thread to offer prayers outside the temple but had to do it separated from relatives amid police personnel trying to regulate a chaotic crowd. After the celestial wedding ended, thousands lined up for the delicious wedding feast. Many devotees also eagerly paid 'moi' (offering/wedding gift) outside the temple and received a gift temple 'Thakkar' or 'fit' person, S Rukmini Palanivel Rajan, Tamil Nadu Information Technology Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Tamil Nadu Commercial Taxes and Registration Minister P Moorthy, and other dignitaries, including people's representatives, judges, and senior officials, were present for the celestial wedding ceremony. In the evening of the same day, thousands of devotees thronged the four Masi streets to catch a glimpse of Goddess Meenakshi brought for a procession on the 'Poo Pallakku' or floral palanquin.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Celestial wedding of goddess meenakshi and lord sundareswarar marks highlight of chithirai festival in madurai
Goddess Meenakshi was draped in a maroon silk saree, and Lord Sundareswarar was adorned in a white silk veshti (dhoti), both richly decorated with gold jewellery and fresh flowers. Beside them, two priests enacted the celestial union, representing the divine couple as they exchanged the chanting of hymns, the sacred wedding ceremony took place between 8.35 am and 8.59 am on Thursday, with the divine knot tied at 8.53 am. Flowers were showered on the deities, followed by deeparadhanai. Thus unfolded the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar — the most awaited highlight of the 12-day annual Chithirai festival — at the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in the 10th day of the Chithirai festival, devotees began gathering as early as 4 am at the temple to catch a glimpse of the grand Thirukalyanam ceremony. A stage, decorated with tonnes of fresh flowers, was set up at the junction of North Aadi Street and West Aadi Street within the temple deities — Lord Sundareswarar, Goddess Piriyavidai, and Goddess Meenakshi — were taken in a ceremonial procession around the Chithirai streets before being brought to the stage. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far Idols of Lord Subramaniaswamy from the Subramaniaswamy Temple at Thiruparankundram, Goddess Deivanai, and Lord Pavalakkanivai Perumal were also on per tradition, married women change their thali (sacred thread) during the event. "This is my second time here. I was lucky to get a ticket," says 34-year-old N Sri Devi. "They say Goddess Meenakshi must grant her blessing for one to witness this moment. We feel truly blessed."LED screens at 20 spots helped devotees watch from outside, as more than 3,000 police personnel managed the crowd. Barricades were set up to streamline devotees' entry and exit. After the wedding, thousands queued for the feast, offered moi (wedding gift), and received gift included ministers Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and P Moorthy. In the evening, thousands lined the Masi streets to see Goddess Meenakshi being taken out for a procession on the 'poo pallakku' or floral palanquin.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
‘Thirukalyanam', the wedding for the masses
Elaborate arrangements had been made for the devotees who gathered on Chithirai streets outside Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai to witness the 'Thirukalyanam' (celestial wedding) of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar on Thursday. Giant LED screens had been installed on all corners of the Chithirai streets for devotees to have a virtual glimpse of the 'Thirukalyanam'. As per tradition, the women devotees replaced their 'Thali' with a new one on the occasion. The devotees eagerly paid 'moi' outside the temple as if it is the wedding of known persons. Several people distributed mangalsutra, vermilion powder and pictures of the presiding deities to fulfil their vow. People of all ages from different parts of the State had come along with their families to attend the grand event. Tin sheet roofs had been installed around the Chithirai streets and other places near the temple to protect the devotees from the sweltering summer heat. Water bottles, biscuits and hand fans were also distributed. A large number of police personnel had been deployed around the temple, and ambulances, fire tenders and mobile toilets stationed near the premises. Following the celestial wedding, thousands of devotees headed to the 'Thirukalyana Virundhu' organised by Pazhamudir Solai Thiruvarul Murugan Bhaktha Sabhai at Sethupathi Higher Secondary School, where close to a lakh devotees were treated to a grand feast. The devotees were served several dishes that included 'ven pongal', sambar rice, tomato rice, curd rice and vegetable pulao. The essential items like rice, ghee, oil and vegetables were contributed by the devotees.
