Ever heard of God rushing across the River to provide Salvation?
Lord Vishnu Does.
Every year Lord Vishnu,Kallazhakar from Azahkar Koil, near Madurai,Tamil Nadu,India, on the Pradhamai(the next Day after Full Moon in the month of Chiththirai-April end) after adorning himself with the Garland prepared for him by Andal(Srivilliputhur, 48 Km from Madurai) who pined for him eventually married Him) rushes to Madurai from Azhagar Koil, visits Suthapas , a Rishi, who was cursed by Sage Dhurvasa for having failed to respect him.
Suthapas was born as a Frog(Mandukam) and was in penance in Madurai.
Dhurvasa had decreed that Suthapas shall obtain salvation by Lord Vishnu when He crosses the River Vedavathi,Vaigai now.
True to Dharma Lord Vishnu gets down the river on a horse and enters Madurai.
Being the elder brother of Goddess Uma, He is being accorded all the respects due to a brother by Goddess Uma,Meenakshiamman, Madurai.
Temple priests offer the Obeisance on behalf of Goddess Uma.
The festival coincides with Meenakshiamman Thirukkalyanam in Madurai.
Legend has it , as the elder brother of Uma, Lord Vishnu , gave Her away to Lord Siva, Chokkanathar(Godenhued) on this day.
Earlier the marriage was celebrated in Madurai in Maasi (about two months earlier)
King Tirumalai Naicker, to build unity among Saivite and Vaishnavas , merged these two festivals into one and had it celebrated in Chithirai.
Madurai will be brimming with Devotees from the day Lord Vishnu enters the River(அழகர் ஆற்றில் இறங்குதல் ).
Live telecast of this Fesival On Vasanth TV on 24 April 2013 ,17 hours IST
Related;
http://temple.dinamalar.com/New.php?id=695
| மூலவர் | : | பரமஸ்வாமி | |
| உற்சவர் | : | சுந்தர்ராஜப் பெருமாள் ( ரிஷபத்ரிநாதர்), கல்யாணசுந்தர வல்லி | |
| அம்மன்/தாயார் | : | ஸ்ரீதேவி, பூதேவி | |
| தல விருட்சம் | : | ஜோதி விருட்சம், சந்தனமரம். | |
| தீர்த்தம் | : | நூபுர கங்கை | |
| ஆகமம்/பூஜை | : | – | |
| பழமை | : | 1000-2000 வருடங்களுக்கு முன் | |
| புராண பெயர் | : | திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை | |
| ஊர் | : | அழகர்கோவில் | |
| மாவட்டம் | : | மதுரை | |
| மாநிலம் | : | தமிழ்நா |
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