After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai has been fully restored in time for this year’s much-anticipated Chithirai Thiruvizha festival.

After the COVID-19 pandemic-imposed restriction was lifted, the annual chariot festival drew a large crowd to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple on April 15.

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The annual chariot festival in Madurai attracts a large number of devotees. People flocked to the Meenakshi Amman Temple to pay their respects.

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Chithirai Thiruvizha, Meenakshi Kalyanam, or Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, is the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi Sundaresswarar.

The district authorities, including mayor V Indrani, collector Aneesh Sekhar, and corporation commissioner KP Karthikeyan, have held several rounds of consultations to ensure the festival runs smoothly.

Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan also inspected the areas near the temple a few days ago and directed officials to implement crowd-control measures.

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On April 5, the festival kicked off with the Kodiyetram (flag hoisting ceremony). The Sree Meenakshi Pattabishekam (the goddess Meenakshi’s coronation) will take place on Tuesday.

The main event, Sree Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukalyanam (celestial wedding), will take place on April 14, followed by Sri Kallazhagar Vaigai Aatril Ezhuntharulal (Kallazhagar’s procession) on April 16. Notably, the Chariot festival, which had been postponed due to the pandemic, will resume on April 15.

Madurai corporation commissioner KP Karthikeyan told Indian express that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the festival runs smoothly.

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“We have made special arrangements for water supply. Around 1,500 sanitation workers have been deployed. We began cleaning activities a week ago. The civic body has also sought additional manpower. Our prime focus is maintaining cleanliness. The police personnel have identified certain spaces where parking facilities will be provided.”

We have also made arrangements for a quick clean-up drive after the festival. We have been informed that there will be around 1.5 lakh floating population during the festival but we are making arrangements for double that number,” he said.

Nearly 3,000 police officers, including those from neighbouring districts, have been deployed for security duties, according to the commissioner. Watchtowers have been erected in areas where large crowds are expected.