Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

An all-round festival

Markazhi is considered very auspicious among the twelve Tamil months. The occasion is spiritually invigorating for the pious. Singing the benign aspects and glories of Lord Siva in temples is customary.

And the event at Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai is awe-inspiring.

Sri Meenakshi is taken out in a procession along the Chitrai Streets. Arudhra Darshan takes place.

Lord Nataraja is taken in procession along the Masi Streets and on Ashtami, the Lord and the Goddess go round on Rishaba Vahanam.

The Thiruvempavai festival is conducted for ten days and everyday, the saint Manickavasagar is taken out in procession along the Adi streets at mornings.

Thiruvempavai and Thirupalli Yezhuchi lyrics are recited and religious discourses by spiritual leaders are held.

The activities commenced from Dec.16, 2005 and they would draw to a close on Jan.14, 2006.

The temple administration would conduct various competitions for students on Thiruvempavai and Thirupalli Ezhuchi lyrics coinciding with the ongoing Markazhy festival.

Competition for students

Recitation competition for students in Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Standards (Jan.10), essay writing and elocution competitions for students in Tenth, Plus One and Plus Two (Jan.10 & Jan.11) and for college students essay writing and elocution competitions will be held (on Jan.12), according to Chairman of Board of Trustees, Karumuthu T. Kannan, and Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, P. Bhaskaran. The competitions will take place at Tirukalyana mandapam in the temple.

From J.V. Siva Prasanna Kumar in Madurai

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