Chithirai Festival 2024
The Chithirai Festival, a vibrant celebration of cultural and religious significance, is an annual extravaganza in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. This grand festival, also known as Chithirai Thiruvizha, is celebrated with great pomp and fervor to commemorate the divine wedding of Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) and Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati). Let’s delve into the dates, history, and various facets of the Chithirai Festival 2024.
Madurai Chithirai Festival Live
Chithirai Thiruvizha History
The Chithirai Thiruvizha, also known as the Chithirai Festival, is one of the most significant and oldest festivals celebrated in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is a grand celebration that marks the reenactment of the celestial wedding of Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) and Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati), which is believed to have taken place in Madurai.
The Madurai Chithirai festival 2024 history is deeply rooted in the mythology and legends of Madurai. According to the ancient Tamil epic “Silappatikaram,” Madurai was ruled by a Pandya king named Malayadhwaja Pandya. He and his wife Kanchanamalai were childless and performed a yagna (sacrifice) to seek the blessing of the gods for a child. During the yagna, a three-year-old girl emerged from the sacrificial fire. The girl had three breasts, and a divine voice instructed the king to name her Tadaatagai and raise her as his daughter.
Tadaatagai grew up to be a skilled warrior princess and won many battles. She eventually reached Kailash, where she met Lord Shiva. Upon seeing him, her third breast disappeared, and she knew then that he was her destined husband. She returned to Madurai, where she was crowned as Meenakshi, the queen of Madurai.
The wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar is celebrated during the Chithirai Thiruvizha. The festival typically lasts for about two weeks and includes various rituals and events. One of the highlights of the festival is the procession of the deities, where the idols of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are taken out in a grand procession on elaborately decorated chariots.
The Chithirai Thiruvizha is not just a religious festival but also a cultural extravaganza that showcases the rich heritage of Tamil Nadu. It attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from around the world who come to witness the grandeur and splendor of the festival.
Overall, the Chithirai Thiruvizha is a celebration of love, devotion, and the triumph of good over evil. It is a time when the people of Madurai come together to celebrate their culture, history, and spirituality.
Madurai Chithirai Festival 2024 Schedule
Here is the detailed schedule of 12 days Madurai Chithirai Thiruvila
- April 12 – The Chitrai festival commences with the hoisting of the flag.
- April 13 – The Golden Sabbarah event takes place from 7 am to 9.30 am, followed by the Gootham and Annam Vahanam events from 7 to 10.30 pm.
- April 14 – The Gold Chapar event runs from 7 am to 9.30 am, and in the evening, the Kailasa Parvatam and Kamadenu Vahanam events occur from 7 to 10.30 pm.
- April 15 – The morning and evening feature the Golden Palanquin event.
- April 16 – In the morning, there is the Golden Chaparral event, while the evening showcases the Golden Horse event.
- April 17 – The day includes the Golden Saber event and the procession of the golden and silver bull chariots.
- April 18 – The Thanga Chapparam and Nandigeswarar Yali event take place.
- April 19 – The morning highlights the Golden Tabernacle event, followed by the Silver Throne event in the evening.
- April 20 – The Maravarna Chapparam event occurs, along with the Indra Vimana event.
- April 21 – The day features the Silver Throne event, the elephant chariot with the golden ambari, and the pushpa pallaku event.
- April 22 – The day starts with the Tiruther Vadampitthal event, followed by the Saptavarna Chapparam event. Additionally, the Kallaghar counter service event takes place.
- April 23 – The film festival concludes, and there is the Descent into Kallaghar River event.
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 11 April 2024 | Vaasthu Shanti | – |
| 12 April 2024 | Chithirai Thiruvizha Kodiyetram | 9:30 am – 10:30 am |
| Karpaga Vriksha, Simha Vahanam | 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm | |
| 13 April 2024 | Thanga Chaparam | 7:00 am – 9:30 am |
| Bootha, Anna Vahanam | 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm | |
| 14 April 2024 | Thanga Chaparam | 7:00 am – 9:30 am |
| Kailasa Parvadham, Kamadhenu Vahanam | 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm | |
| 15 April 2024 | Thanga Pallakku | 9:00 am |
| Thanga Pallakku | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | |
| 16 April 2024 | Thanga Chaparam | 9:00 am |
| Thanga Guthirai Vahanam, Vedar Pari Leelai | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm | |
| 17 April 2024 | Thanga Chaparam | 7:30 am – 10:30 am |
| Thirugnanasambandar Saiva Samaya Sthabitha Varalatru Leelai | 6:00 pm | |
| Rishaba Vahanam | 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm | |
| 18 April 2024 | Sri Gangalanathar alone Maasi Veethi Ezhuntharulal | 8:00 am – 10:30 am |
| Nantheekeshwarar, Yaali Vahanam | 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm | |
| 19 April 2024 | Thanga Pallakku | 10:00 am |
| Sree Meenakshi Pattabhishekam | – | |
| Velli Simhasana Ula | 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm | |
| 20 April 2024 | Maravarna Chaparam | 7:00 am – 9:30 am |
| Sree Meenakshi Digvijayam | 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm | |
| 21 April 2024 | Velli Simhasanam | 4:00 am |
| Thiruparankundram Sri Subramanya Swami & Arulmigu PavalaKanivai Perumal Ezhuntharulal | 6:00 am | |
| Sree Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Thirukalyanam | 8:00 am – 9:00 am | |
| Thanga Ambaariyudan Koodiya Yaanai Vahanam, Pushpa Pallakku (Amman in Anantharayar Poo Pallakku) | 7:30 pm – 11:30 pm | |
| 22 April 2024 | Therottam (Ratha Utsavam, Thiru Ther, Chariot, Car Festival) | – |
| 23 April 2024 | Theertham in Potramarai Kulam – Devendra Poojai | Noon (Ucchi Kaalam) |
Chithirai Festival Celebrations 2024
The Chithirai Festival 2024 is a spectacle of colors, music, dance, and devotion. The streets of Madurai come alive with elaborate decorations, processions, and cultural performances. The main events of the festival include:
- Flag Hoisting Ceremony (Kodi Yetram): The festival begins with the hoisting of a holy flag, signaling the commencement of the celebrations.
- Deity Processions: The idols of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi are taken out in a grand procession on beautifully decorated chariots, accompanied by music and chants.
- Thirukalyanam (Divine Wedding): The celestial wedding of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi is a major highlight of the festival, reenacted with great pomp and splendor.
- Theerthavari (Holy Bath): The idols of the deities are bathed in the sacred waters of the Golden Lotus Tank (Potramarai Kulam), symbolizing purification and renewal.
- Chariot Festival (Ther Thiruvizha): The grand finale of the festival, where the idols of the deities are placed on huge chariots and pulled through the streets of Madurai by devotees.
Apart from these main events, the Chithirai Festival 2024 also features cultural programs, traditional music and dance performances, and various religious rituals that add to the festive atmosphere.
How to Reach Madurai
By Air:
Madurai Airport, also known as Madurai International Airport (IXM), connects the city to major cities in India such as Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. The airport is about 12 kilometers from the city center, and you can easily find taxis or buses to reach your destination.
By Train:
Madurai Junction is one of the most important railway stations in Southern India, with trains connecting Madurai to various parts of the country. Some popular trains to Madurai are the Pandian Express, Vaigai Express, and the Chennai Express. The railway station is located in the heart of the city, making it convenient for travelers.
By Bus:
Madurai is well-connected by a network of national highways, making it easily accessible by road. You can easily book Madurai bus tickets on AbhiBus operated to Madurai from nearby cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, and Bangalore. The bus stand in Madurai is located near the Periyar Bus Stand, which is a major transportation hub in the city.
Top Bus Routes to Madurai
Here are some of the top bus routes travelled by people to reach Madurai
Whether you choose to travel by air, train, or bus, reaching Madurai is convenient and offers a variety of options to suit your preference and budget.
The Chithirai Festival 2024 in Madurai promises to be a captivating blend of tradition, spirituality, and cultural revelry. It is a time to witness the rich heritage of Tamil Nadu and experience the devotion and fervor of the people towards their gods and goddesses. The festival not only celebrates a mythical event but also reflects the essence of life, love, and the eternal bond between humans and the divine.
