MADURAI: A day after the grand wedding, the idols of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar were taken in a procession along the four Maasi streets on Wednesday in daintily decorated wooden chariots.
The chariots, with Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Piriyavidai in the larger car and Goddess Meenakshi in a smaller car, started their journey around 6 am after special poojas and returned to the resting point around 12 noon.
Collector KJ Praveen Kumar and temple board of trustees chairperson Rukmani Palanivel Rajan were among the several thousands of people who pulled the ropes of the chariots, taking turns along the four streets.
Devotees, including children, dressed as Meenakshi and Kallalagar, lined the procession route, unmindful of the scorching summer heat. People continued to visit the parked chariots throughout the day and took a thread from the vadam (the thick rope used to pull the car) as part of a customary practice.
Volunteers distributed buttermilk, water packets, rose milk, and a variety of food items including puliyodharai and pongal to devotees. Rose milk was also distributed by Mohammed Salim, highlighting the religious harmony in the festival. The event passed off without any major incidents.
The police, led by city commissioner Abishek Dixit, monitored security and regulated traffic on the route to prevent congestion and vehicle tailbacks. Fire and rescue services and ambulances were stationed to handle emergencies.
Tangedco officials temporarily disconnected the power supply along the route to avoid any untoward incidents. Madurai corporation engaged conservancy workers to clear waste from the streets. The 11-day Chithirai festivities of Meenakshi temple concludes on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Lord Kallalagar began his journey to Madurai from Alagarkovil on Wednesday evening, the third day of the Chithiral festival at the temple. He will receive ethirsevai on Thursday and stay at the Tallakulam Perumal temple for the night. He will enter the Vaigai river on May 1, between 5.35 am and 5.55 am, and will return to Alagar temple on May 5.