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About Chithirai Thiruvizha

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About Chithirai Thiruvizha

Chithirai Thiruvizha is the great spring festival of Madurai, held in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April or May). It joins two temple festivals: the Meenakshi Amman Temple's festival and the journey of Lord Kallazhagar from Alagar Kovil to the city.

At the Meenakshi temple the festival opens with the flag hoisting and carries on with nightly processions, Meenakshi's coronation, her wedding to Sundareswarar (Thirukalyanam) and the pulling of the temple chariots. Then Lord Kallazhagar, said to be coming for his sister's wedding, rides a golden horse into the Vaigai river on Chithra Pournami.

Lakhs of people come from villages around Madurai, many in traditional dress, with water sprays, music and free food stalls along the route. It is a festival of the whole city, loved by people of every background.

  • Chithirai month (Apr-May)
  • Madurai, Tamil Nadu
  • About two weeks
  • Kallazhagar enters the Vaigai

Where it began

Thiruvizha means a holy festival. The Madurai Chithirai festival brings together two stories: the wedding of goddess Meenakshi to Shiva as Sundareswarar, and the journey of Alagar, a form of Vishnu and Meenakshi's brother.

Legend says Alagar set out from his hill temple to give his sister away at her wedding, but arrived too late. He then gave gifts and returned home after stepping into the Vaigai river.

Tradition holds that the Nayak king Thirumalai Nayak joined the Saiva and Vaishnava festivals into one in the 17th century, so that people of both traditions would gather together.

The Golden Lotus tank and towers of the Meenakshi templeMadurai, Tamil Nadu

How it grew over time

  1. Ancient times

    Madurai has been a temple city for many centuries, praised in old Tamil poems.

  2. 17th century

    Under Thirumalai Nayak, the two festivals are said to have been joined in the month of Chithirai.

  3. Temple tradition

    The festival grew to include the coronation of Meenakshi, the wedding, the temple car festival and Alagar's journey.

  4. Today

    Lakhs of people line the streets and the river banks for the wedding and the river entry.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Meenakshi Amman Temple

    The coronation, the divine wedding and the car festival around the Masi streets.

  • Vaigai river, Madurai

    Kallazhagar on a golden horse enters the river while crowds cheer and spray water.

  • Alagar Kovil

    The journey begins and ends at the hill temple of Alagar near Madurai.

  • Tamil families abroad

    Families from Madurai watch and share the festival, and temples hold special worship.

Chithirai Thiruvizha moments

A tower of the Meenakshi temple over the old streetsMadurai, Tamil Nadu
Crowds at a temple gate, as during the festivalMadurai, Tamil Nadu
Carved pillars inside the temple hallsMadurai, Tamil Nadu
A tower of the Meenakshi temple in an early photographMadurai, Tamil Nadu

Chithirai Thiruvizha today

The city is lit up for days. People come in traditional dress, carry water bags to spray in the procession, and serve free buttermilk and food to the crowds. It is a time of family visits, fairs and shared joy for the whole city.

How people celebrate Chithirai Thiruvizha

  • Flag hoisting at the Meenakshi temple
  • Nightly processions on temple vahanams
  • Meenakshi Thirukalyanam
  • Therottam, the temple car festival
  • Kallazhagar entering the Vaigai on a golden horse
  • Free water, buttermilk and food along the route

How to wish well

  • Send wishes at the start of the festival, on the wedding day or on the day Azhagar enters the Vaigai.
  • For friends in Madurai, a reminder to stay cool and drink water in the April heat is kind.
  • "Chithirai Thiruvizha Nalvazhthukal" is the usual Tamil greeting.

Questions about Chithirai Thiruvizha

When is Chithirai Thiruvizha?

In the Tamil month of Chithirai, in April or May, ending with Kallazhagar entering the Vaigai on Chithra Pournami. The start date for each year is shown on this page; the temple announces the final schedule.

How many days is the Chithirai festival?

The Meenakshi temple festival runs for about twelve days, and the Kallazhagar festival continues for a few more days after it.

What is the story of Kallazhagar entering the Vaigai?

Temple tradition says Lord Kallazhagar, the brother of Meenakshi, sets out for her wedding, arrives late, and enters the Vaigai river before returning home.

What is the best day to see Chithirai Thiruvizha?

The Thirukalyanam, the chariot festival the next day, and the morning Azhagar enters the Vaigai draw the biggest crowds.

What do you say on Chithirai Thiruvizha?

Say "Happy Chithirai Thiruvizha" or, in Tamil, "சித்திரைத் திருவிழா நல்வாழ்த்துகள்".

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