KALLALAGAR FESTIVAL
AT
MADURAI
Chithirai festival
of this temple celebrated for ten days is one of the declared festivals of
Tamilnadu Government. This festival day is declared as Local Holiday. In
chithirai, Lord Kallalagar starts from Alagar kovil in the form of Kallar and reaches Madurai on Pournami (Full Moon day).
Here he steps into
river Vaigai in his Horse Vaganam. Lakhs of devotees flock to river Vaigai to
see this event. "Ethir Sevai" festival is celebrated on the day
before Alagar steps into river Vaigai. It is a tradition for the people of
Madurai to welcome Alagar.
As Alagar returns from Vandiyur
Dhasavatharam festival is celebrated throughout the night at Ramarayar Mandapam
in the Northern part of river Vaigai. After this event Alagar is taken to
Mysore Veera Mandapam on decorated Anantharayar Palanquin.
The next morning Alagar in the form of Kallar returns to Alagar kovil in
'Poo Pallakku'(Palanquin decorated with flowers) During
this festival, the processional idol of Alagar is taken to Madurai, halting at
various places on the way.
This festival attracts thousands of pilgrims
and visitors from South India as well as from other parts of the country.A
legend is popular how Alagar, the brother of Meenakshi was unable to attend her
marriage in time and how he turned back from the banks of the Vaigai river.
It is surprising what a strong visible
influence this picturesque belief has been left in the environs of Madurai.
By Air
If you are traveling by air, it is very convenient to reach Madurai. The city is well connected to all the major cities of the nation. There are daily flights to Madurai from Chennai, Bangalore, Tiruchi and Coimbatore. Madurai Airport is just 10 km away from the city.
By Rail
Madurai falls on the Madurai-Tiruchirappalli-Dindigul-Quilon line. It is an important railway junction of the southern railway, directly connected to Chennai and Tirunelveli via railway lines. The fastest train on the route is the Vaigai Express, a super-fast day train between Chennai Egmore and Madurai. It just takes 7 hours to cover a distance of 495 km.
By Road
Madurai city is well connected to all the parts of South India. There is an excellent bus service at regular intervals, which facilitates comfortable journey. Madurai city has 5 major bus stands, from where you can get bus to most of the cities of Tamil Nadu as well as the neighboring states.
If you are traveling by air, it is very convenient to reach Madurai. The city is well connected to all the major cities of the nation. There are daily flights to Madurai from Chennai, Bangalore, Tiruchi and Coimbatore. Madurai Airport is just 10 km away from the city.
By Rail
Madurai falls on the Madurai-Tiruchirappalli-Dindigul-Quilon line. It is an important railway junction of the southern railway, directly connected to Chennai and Tirunelveli via railway lines. The fastest train on the route is the Vaigai Express, a super-fast day train between Chennai Egmore and Madurai. It just takes 7 hours to cover a distance of 495 km.
By Road
Madurai city is well connected to all the parts of South India. There is an excellent bus service at regular intervals, which facilitates comfortable journey. Madurai city has 5 major bus stands, from where you can get bus to most of the cities of Tamil Nadu as well as the neighboring states.
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