The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, underscored that the Chithirai festival is not merely a temple event but a living embodiment of Tamil heritage and cautioned that any attempt to desecrate or disrupt the sanctity of Lord Kallazhagar’s procession must be dealt with sternly and without hesitation, as reported in The New Indian Express.
Justice L Victoria Gowri, in a separate order, directed the Madurai city police to ensure adequate and effective protection for the peaceful conduct of the Thenur Mandagapadi function, scheduled to take place on May 2 as part of the Chithirai festival.
The court observed that Madurai is not merely a city of temples but a civilisation of memory, where streets, riverbanks, mandapams, processions, festivals, songs and silences together preserve a living archive of Tamil culture.
Highlighting the cultural significance of Thenur village, the judge noted that the village had moved the conscience of Mahatma Gandhi and contributed to his decision to identify with the poorest by adopting simple attire. The court recorded that the village’s austerity, discipline and self-respect lend it a special role in the larger cultural fabric of the festival.
The matter came before the court following a petition filed by representatives of Thenur village seeking police protection for the Mandagapadi event at the Thenur Mandapam in Vandiyur on May 2. The petitioners stated that, as per long-established custom, Lord Kallazhagar descends into the Vaigai River, proceeds to the Thenur Mandapam, and en route liberates Manduga Maharishi from a curse in the Vaigai riverbed near Vandiyur. Thereafter, the Thenur Mandagapadi is performed, during which seven Karikaarars receive traditional honours.
The court was informed that certain individuals had prevented temple authorities from conducting the function the previous year, and apprehensions of similar obstruction this year prompted the present petition.
Taking note of the historical and cultural importance of the event, the judge directed the police to provide necessary protection. The court also specified that while conferring honours, hereditary Karikaarars must be recognised by their traditional titles rather than individual names, in order to avoid disputes.
In a separate petition seeking preventive action against incidents of miscreants throwing footwear at devotees during the procession and the deity’s entry into the Vaigai river, the court issued strict directions to the police. It stated that any person engaging in such acts, including throwing chappals or attempting to disrupt the procession, must be immediately apprehended and proceeded against in accordance with law.
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