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| Meenakshi Tirukalyanam | |
|---|---|
_witnessed_by_Vishnu,_Meenakshi_Temple,_Madurai_(2)_(36857653813).jpg) Vishnu (left) gives away his sister and bride Meenakshi's hand into the waiting hand of groom Shiva. | |
| Observed by | Hindu Tamils |
| Type | Hindu |
| Significance | Commemoration of the wedding of Shiva and Meenakshi, coronation of Meenakshi as queen of Madurai |
| Celebrations | car festivals, wedding festival, coronation ceremony |
| Observances | Puja in Meenakshi Temple, Prayers for Meenakshi |
| Date | During the Tamil month of Chithirai |
| 2024 date | 20 April (wedding date) |
| Frequency | Annual |
The Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival,[1][2] also known as Chithirai Tiruviḻa or Meenakshi Kalyanam, is an annual Tamil Hindu celebration in the city of Madurai during the month of April. The festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chithirai, is associated with the Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Parvati and her consort Sundareshvara, a form of Shiva.
The festival lasts for one month. The first 15 days mark the celebrations of the coronation of Meenakshi as the divine ruler of Madurai[3] and her marriage to Sundareshvara. The next 15 days mark the celebrations of the journey of Kallaḻagar or Aḻagar (a form of the god Vishnu) from his temple to Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai.
- ^ "Madurai Chithirai Thiruvizha, Chithirai Festival 2017 Kallazhagar - dravidian". dravidian. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Meenakshi Tirukalyanam".
- ^ "Madurai Meenakshiamman". Archived from the original on 18 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011.