The city of Chennai, formerly Madras, may be the most famous of Tamil Nadu’s cities, but the historical and cultural heart of India’s southernmost state is arguably Madurai.
Madurai, which was referenced by Greek and Roman historians and geographers, holds the festival of Chithirai Thiruvizha every spring at the ancient Meenakshi Amman Temple in the heart of the city. The festival, which ended April 25, celebrates the marriage of Hindu goddess Meenakshi, also known as Parvati, to the god Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims from across the state and across India attend the festival to take part in the processions and visit temples.
Legend has it that Lord Vishnu, Meenakshi’s older brother, intended to be the officiant for the ceremony, but arrived a day late. Upset, he refused to cross the Vaigai River to enter the city. Instead, he met the couple midstream before returning to his home 20 kilometers away. The climactic final day of the festival is a re-enactment of this event.
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