Devotees throng streets to catch a glimpse of Lord Kallazhagar

Devotees welcome Lord Kallazhagar in Madurai for annual Chithirai festival with prayers, offerings, and celebrations.

Thousands of devotees thronged the streets to welcome Lord Kallazhagar, who entered Madurai city early on Sunday morning.

The devotees gathered in large numbers for ‘Ethir Sevai’ to catch a glimpse of the deity who, mounted on a palanquin, left His abode in Azhagarkoil on Saturday evening, as part of the annual Chithirai festival.

‘Ethir Sevai’ is a tradition of offering prayers to the Lord, who visits His devotees, instead of the devotees visiting the temple. Lord Kallazhagar made halts at over 480 mandagapadis enroute to Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple at Tallakulam. From the temple, the deity would begin the journey to enter Vaigai river early on Monday morning.

Lord Kallazhagar began His journey to Madurai at around 7 p.m. on Saturday from Azhagarkoil and after a halt at Appan Tirupathi He reached Moondrumavadi at around 6 a.m. on Sunday. The devotees gathered to welcome Him at mandagapadis as part of ‘Ethir Sevai’ at various points, including K. Pudur, Reserve Line, Bharathi Ula Road, and Outpost.

Lord Kallazhagar’s visit was celebrated with pomp and gaiety as the devotees gathered at each of the mandagapadis with flowers and garlands as offerings to the deity and followed the Lord as He went on His journey. Women devotees held pots of jaggery with camphor, a sign of auspiciousness. Children were seen sitting on the shoulders of their parents to catch a glimpse of the deity.

The youth, who followed the deity were seen dancing to the beats of devotional songs and chanting. Devotees dressed in Lord Karuppasamy attire were also seen dancing to the beats of devotional songs. Devotees offered prasadams and water bottles to the people who had gathered at the venues. They were also seen offering generously through the mobile hundials.

Vendors were seen selling toys, balloons and snacks on the roadsides. A large number of police personnel were deployed along the route to regulate the traffic and ensure the smooth conduct of the event. Lord Kallazhagar halted at Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple at Tallakulam at around 8.30 p.m.