The much awaited Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple Chithirai Brahmotsavam Festival start today. Chitra Festival is the world famous festival in South India. This festival indicates the cooperation of Saivism (religion depict to Lord Shiva) and Vaishnavism (religion depict to Lord Vishnu). In tamil, we say சித்திரை பெருவிழா (Chithirai Peruvizha), சித்திரை திருவிழா (Chithirai Thiruvizha), etc. On this occasion, Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi would take procession on four masi streets both morning and evening.

Chitra Festival Agenda:

26.04.2009 - Flag hosting and Start of the Festival
03.05.2009 - Goddess Meenakshi Pattabhishekam
04.05.2009 - Annai Meenakshi Thikku Vijayam
05.05.2009 - Celestial Wedding of Lord Sundareswarar With Meenakshi (Meenakshi Thirukkalyanam)
06.05.2009 - Car (Chariot) Festival, Therottam, Thiruther
07.05.2009 - Theerthavari, Festival Ending
08.05.2009 - Arulmigu Kallazhagar Edhir sevai
09.05.2009 - Arulmigu Kallazhagar at Vaigai River in Golden Horse

This stunning spectacle is a street procession at the Chithira Festival in Madurai. The 10 day festival is one of the biggest celebrations in the city. It commemorates the wedding of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi (Lord Vishnu's sister).

Legend has it that Lord Vishnu came to Madurai, mounted on a golden horse, to witness the wedding. The festival recreates this event. This year it is being held from April 26 to May 7, at the Meenakshi Temple.

Chithirai festival, or Chitra festival, is one of the most important annual festivals held at the world famous Madurai Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple at Madurai in Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated for 12 days during the Tamil month of Chithirai or Chitirai (April – May). In 2009, the date of commencement of Chithirai festival is April 26. Pattabhishegam of Goddess Meenakshi is on May 4, 2009. Celestal Wedding or Thirukkalyanamof Lord Sundareswarar with Goddess Meenakshi is on May 5, 2009. The festival will conclude on May 7, 2009 with the Theertha festival.

The Chithirai festival begins with flag hoisting ceremony.

The most important rituals associated with the festival are

• the coronation of Meenakshi Amman on the eighth day,
• procession of Goddess Meenakshi on the ninth day,
  
• Thirukalyanam or celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar on the tenth day,
• the car festival on the 11th day and
• the Theertha festival is celebrated on the 12th day with the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi going round Masi streets and blessing the devotees.