On April 12, the general public and devotees protested at the Madurai Tamukkam ground, demanding permission for the Chithirai festival. Protesters were detained by the police. A video of a woman involved in the protest has gone viral on social media.
The woman said in the video, “Why does the government always go after temples first, bypassing the mall and the cinema theatre? What will happen to the temple-dependent families if the temples are closed? Who is going to feed them? How will they survive with 2500 rupees a year given by the government? The once-in-a-year Chithirai festival should be held this time. The festival supports 400 families. Their livelihood will be affected if the festival is canceled.”
கோவிலில் கை வைக்காதே…. pic.twitter.com/L4EyDspvQz
— Srinivasa Iyer ஶ்ரீநிவாஸ ஐயர் (@srinivasan19041) April 12, 2021
Chithirai Festival is an annual celebration celebrated in the city of Madurai during the Tamil month of Chithirai. It lasts for one month of which the first 15 days mark the celebrations of the coronation of Goddess Meenakshi and the Marriage of Lord Sundareswara and Goddess Meenakshi, and the next 15 days mark the celebrations of the Journey of Lord Alagar from Kallazhagar temple in Alagar Koyil to Madurai.
Due to the pressure from devotees and the general public, the government agreed to allow Meenakshi Sundaresar’s wedding to take place in the presence of devotees. The government, on the other hand, refused to give permission for Kallalagar to be immersed in the Vaigai river.
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.