City of Festivals, Know about the City

Madurai, often referred to as the “City of Festivals,” is a prominent city in Tamil Nadu, India, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions. Among the various captivating aspects of Madurai’s cultural tapestry, its diverse range of festivals takes center stage. These festivals not only showcase the city’s deep-rooted traditions but also bring people from around the world together in joyous and dedicated celebrations. In this article, we will delve into the colorful and multifaceted festivals that define Madurai as the “City of Festivals.”

Why is Madurai known as “City of Festivals”

Madurai is known as “City of Festivals” due to its vibrant and diverse calendar of celebrations that range from religious and cultural events to traditional harvest festivals, attracting people from around the world to partake in its rich culture heritage and festive spirit.

Here are some of the important festivals of Madurai due to which it is called as “City of Festivals”:

Pongal Festival

The Pongal Festival, also known as the Harvest Festival, is a three-day extravaganza celebrated with immense fervor in Madurai. It serves as a heartfelt thanksgiving to the Sun, nature and the cattle for providing farmers with a bountiful harvest. The first day, known as Bogi, sees homes adorned with fresh paint and clutter removed. The main day, the second day, is a spectacle of mango leaf decorations and culinary delights, including the delectable sweet rice known as “pongal.” On the third day, Mattu Pongal, cattle are revered for their role in bringing prosperity to the land.

Jallikattu

While Jallikattu may be considered more of a sport than a traditional festival, it is an integral part of Madurai’s Pongal celebrations. Held mainly in villages, Jallikattu is a demonstration of courage and valor as participants attempt to tame wild bulls. The open grounds are filled with spectators who come to witness this exhilarating display of strength.

Chithirai Festival

The Chihirai Festival, celebrated on the Full Moon Day of the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May), commemorates the divine wedding of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareshwarer. Devotees carry a gold idol of Lord Azaghar on a horse in a grand procession from Azaghar Koil to Madurai, symbolizing the Lord’s journey to attend the wedding. This ten-day festival is marked by unparalleled devotion and participation.

Festival of the Cradle

During the Festival of the Cradle, Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundrareshwarer are placed in a mirror chamber and gently rocked on a swing for nine days. This symbolic act of cradling the divine couple is a mesmerizing spectacle that evokes a sense of awe and devotion among the devotees.

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Avanimoolam Festival

Taking place in August/September, the Avanimoolam Festival commemorates the coronation of Lord Sundreshwarer. The festival includes a unique place called ‘Lila,’ where priests narrate mythological stories of Lord Shiva. The recitation of the 64 miracles of Lord Shiva, which saved the city from adversity, is a central part of the celebration, held at the Sundreshwarer Temple.

Float Festival

The Float Festival, celebrated on the full moon night of the Tamil month Thai (between mid-January and mid-February), is a tradition dating back to the 17^th century. It was introduced by King Thirumalai Nayak.

Dance Festival

Organized by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department, the Dance Festival in Madurai is a fifteen-day cultural extravaganza. Dancers from all corners of the nation come to participate, showcasing various dance forms. It is a celebration of India’s diverse and vibrant dance traditions and adds another layer of cultural richness to Madurai’s festival calendar.

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