MELUR: Lord Kallazhagar, the presiding deity of Alagarkovil, will be leaving in his golden palanquin on Saturday evening in preparation for entering Vaigai river in Madurai on April 18.
The annual Chithirai festival of Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple had already started. Lord Kallazhagar leaves his sylvan shrine to participate in the celestial wedding of Meenakshi Amman and Sundareswarar. Since the marriage is solemnised before his arrival, it is the tradition for him to enter Vaigai and then proceed to Vandiyur. Along the way from Alagarkovil to Vandiyur, 40 ‘Thirukkan mandapams’ have been set up where devotees will receive the deity.
As a prelude to this ritual, Sundararaja Perumal was taken in procession on Thursday evening around the temple and then returned to the sanctum sanctorum. He will be taken out in procession on Friday evening as well.
Kallazhagar will start around 6 pm and reach Kon- dappanayakkar mandapam, from where he will leave for Madurai half-an-hour later.
