Madurai
The important annual event was witnessed by thousands of devotees from different parts of the state and the country. The divine wedding was solemnised on a flower-decked stage erected at the junction of North and West Aadi Streets on the temple premises amid chanting of Vedic hymns by priests.
Prior to the wedding gold ornaments were kept in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and pujas were performed. Subsequently, both deities were showered with marigold flowers. Later, the idols of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar were taken out in a grand procession on a palanquin and a silver elephant mount respectively to the “Tirukalyana Mandapam” for public darshan.
The ceremony was a part of the 12-day long ‘Chithirai Peruvizha’, which is conducted during the Tamil month of Chithirai. The celestial wedding was aired live through 20 LED screens installed on Aadi, Chithirai and Aavani Streets around the temple for the convenience of devotees. The temple administration also organised a grand feast for thousands of devotees in the afternoon as part of the celestial wedding celebrations.
During the regal ceremonies of the Chithirai Brahmotsavam, the idol of Goddess Meenakshi was decked up with ornaments made of precious stones, including diamond crown, emerald waist chain and other jewels studded with rare sapphires, diamonds and rubies.
Police made elaborated arrangements and around 2,500 cops were deployed on security and crowd regulation duty, especially in and around the temple for the wedding.
Meanwhile, Lord Kallazhagar will begin his journey from his abode on Wednesday to Madurai. He will be entering the Vaigai on April 22.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android