Meenakshi thirukalyanam 2023

By Express News Service MADURAI: The district is all set to engross itself in Chithirai celebrations as the festival will commence with a flag hoisting ceremony at Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple on April 23 and at Arulmigu Kallalagar Temple on May 1. The temple authorities released the festival schedule on Monday and said works for assembling the 1,000-gold coin 'Saparam' of Kallalagar temple have begun. The flag hoisting for the district's biggest festival spectacle will be followed by the celestial wedding of deities Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, Chithirai temple car procession, Kallalagar deity procession and entry into Vaigai river. A group of people hoping to wield the massive peacock-feathered 'hand fans' during the festival has already submitted a petition to the district collector seeking steps to issue them special identity cards. Karthi Mayakrishnan, who has been wielding the 'hand fan' for many years now, said, "There are about 15 families in Madurai, who have been rendering this duty as a service to the deity for many generations. We use these massive fans to provide relief to the devotees. Even though we have been doing this for several generations, the authorities have not recognised us with any identity cards." Meanwhile, the authorities have advised people who wish to donate food and refreshments to the devotees, to approach the temple authorities directly instead of individuals. Ahead of the festival, the renovated Thirumalainayakkar-era temple car...

The celestial union of Meenakshi Amman and Lord Shiva is commemorated during the Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival. One of the largest events in Madurai, the cultural centre of Tamil Nadu, is this large celebration. Legend has it that Lord Shiva once travelled to Madurai to exchange vows with Meenakshi, and ever since, this custom has been practised. Devotees from all over the world travel to Madurai to the famous “Meenakshi Amman Temple” to see this wonderful event, which occurs there every year. Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, which is a component of the well-known Chithirai festival, takes place on the tenth day. To witness Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) and Meenakshi’s heavenly wedding, lakhs of devotees from Madurai and surrounding areas visit the “Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple” on this auspicious day (Goddess Parvati). Many devotees swarm the temples in search of their lords’ supernatural blessings. Rituals of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam • Devotees arrive at the Meenakshi Madurai temple at sunrise on the day of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam. They dress neatly after taking a sacred bath in the Golden Lotus pond. • Prior to offering prayers to “Viboothi Vinayakar,” Goddess Meenakshi is first worshipped using traditional practises. • On this day, worshippers chant bhajans and devotional songs. • Wearing the sacred ash, or “Uthiraksham,” before entering the temple grounds is also regarded as lucky. • To present to their lords, devotees frequently carry fruits, coconuts, and incense ...

O Goddess Tripura Sundari, who wanders in the forests of Kadamba trees, who acts like a blissful cluster of clouds to the Muni’s filled with spiritual thirst. Who conquered the mountains by her hips, O the one served by the celestial maidens of great attributes. The one whose eyes resembles a lotus, who is looking like a newly formed cloud, the one in dark blue complexion The consort of the three eyed God, O Goddess Tripura Sundari, I seek your refuge. The festival of Meenakshi Thirukkalyanam celebrates the divine wedding of Meenakshi Amman / Sri Tripurasundari with Lord Sri Sundareswararwarar. Meenakshi Thirukkalyanam is a part of the renowned ‘Chithirai Thiruvizha’ celebrations. This festival is observed during the month of “Chithirai” in the Tamil calendar. This year, at SVT, Meenakshi Thirukkalyanam is being celebrated on Sunday the 7th May, commencing at 2.00pm. Ritual Donation: Kalyana Utsavam – $101 Archana – $20 Garland Donation: Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Malai – $135 Devotees are presented with an opportunity to be part of these festivities by sponsoring for the Kalyana Utsavam and seek the blessings of Goddess Sri Meenakshi and Lord Sri Sundareswarar. Ohm Namashivayah!! Ohm Namashivayah!! Temple opening timings : PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, FESTIVAL DAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS – 8AM TO 7 PM WIHOUT BREAK Mon to Fri : 08.00 AM to 12.00 PM & 04.00 PM to 07.00 PM. (Note: closed between 12.00 PM & 04.00 PM except on Public holidays and Festival days) . Click here for Today’s T...