The Hindu : Front Page : Lakhs witness Azhagar’s entry into Vaigai

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Monday, Apr 21, 2008
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Lakhs witness Azhagar’s entry into Vaigai

R. Sairam

Every available space on riverbed was occupied by people
After rituals, the deity proceeded towards Vandiyur

MADURAI: Lakhs of devotees witnessed the grand entry of Lord Kallazhagar into the Vaigai here early on Sunday. Every available space on the riverbed, rooftops and the Albert Victor Bridge, from where a bird’s eye view of the Lord entering the river mounted on the majestic stallion could be had, was occupied by people who had come from different parts of the State.

An unceasing tide of people flooded the streets leading to the venue of the event. Devotees congregated near the river from as early as 3 a.m. Lord Kallazhagar, with all his entourage , entered the river at 7.10 a.m. to the chanting of religious hymns.

The Lord, who hails from Sundararajaperumal Temple at Alagarkoil, was brought into the river, where one feet of water was ensured by the continuous release of water for the past four days by Public Works Department. As per tradition, Lord Veeraraghava Perumal from the South Masi Street Temple received Lord Kallazhagar, who was in his traditional attire.

The Veeraraghava Perumal Temple is a sub-temple of Koodal Azhagar Temple.

A special ‘pandal’ was erected on the riverbed to house both the deities. After the rituals, the deity proceeded towards Vandiyur. Devotees, dressed in the Lord’s costume, sprayed water at His mount as well as others to provide respite from the summer heat.

In order to help devotees get a good darshan, the deity was taken around the pandal, an addition this year.

KR. Periakaruppan, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department; S.S. Jawahar, Collector; K. Nandabalan, Commissioner of Police; K. Rajanayagam, Joint Commissioner of HR and CE Department; and B. Raja, Executive officer of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, witnessed the proceedings.

It was King Tirumalai Nayak, who combined the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Kallazhagar’s entry into the Vaigai, which were performed separately till then.

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