Meenakshi Thirukalyanam and Its Significance
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam is the magnificent wedding ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva, celebrated in Madurai, Tamilnadu. According to traditional Hindu calendar Meenakshi Thirukalyanam is an annual festival that occurs in the month of Chaitra. As per Gregorian calendar it falls during April – May.This festival is an elongated festival for a period of 12 days. The festival begins two days after the new moon/poornima tithi, which is considered as the second day of the lunar month. The myth behind this puja is that Lord Shiva appeared in Madurai to get married to Meenakshi.
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam is also one of the widely celebrated festivals in Tamilnadu, India. The festival is celebrated annually at the well-known Meenakshi Temple in Madurai in execution of the divine marriage ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareshwar (Shiva).
This year Meenakshi Thirukalyanam will take place on 19th April, 2016.
It is an auspicious day for sharing good luck and well being. One can bring touch of goodness in someone’s life by offering some amazing divine gifts and pooja Kits.
Additional Information:
Preparation:
The festival is extensively celebrated across the region of Tamilnadu during the 12 days.During this festival, devotees take out magnificent images of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva for processions at the streets.
The magnificent temple is adorned as a bride during the time of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival. A huge number of umbrellas and fans are beautifully decorated in authentic royal style during the celebrations, along with traditional& instrumental music which presents a wonderful environment.
Ingredients:
1. Brass Idol of the God Meenakshi Amman.2. Jewelry for ornamentation.
3. Alangaram (decoration), Naivedyam (food offerings)
4. Deep/lamps, Rangoli.
5. Kumkum with Thalamboo fragrance.
6. Ladoo, Sweets, and Murukku for offerings.
7. Turmeric Powder, Sindoor, Kumkum, Sandal Wood Paste/Powder.
8. Agar Batti (Incense Sticks), Camphor.
9. Betel Leaves, Betel Nuts, Garlands, Flowers, Five types of Fruits.
10. Bananas, Coconuts, Rice, Kalasa Vasthram.
11. Honey, Milk, Ghee, Sugar, Sugar Candy (Misri/Kalakanda).
12. Mangalyam (Mangala Sutra) Muhurtha Dhothi & Saree for God and Goddess.
13. Toe Rings, Dry Coconut Whole, Turmeric Pieces, Rice Crisps.
14. For Tamil Sampradayam- Paruppu Thenga.
15. Other essential materials for wedding ceremony.
Puja Vidhi/ Process:
1. Devotees should enter the Madurai Meenakshi temple through East Gopuram on this day, and take a bath in the Golden Lotus pond and dress in clean clothes.2. At first they should worship Goddess Meenakshi traditionally. After that, offer a prayer to Viboothi Vinayakar.
3. Devotees need to meditate the five sacred alphabets, recite the sacred names of the Lord, sing delightful, holy songs/bhajans and go round the holy place.
4. Devotees, who are heading to the temple should bathe and wear holy ash, Uthiraksham, which is called Saiva signs.
5. Devotees need to carry coconut, fruits, incense and other items of offering with them to the extent possible.
6. There are near about 50 priests, who perform the Puja rituals, special prayers with abhishekarm during festivals in the Madurai Meenakshi temple on a daily basis.
7. The golden idols of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are seated on the swing and hymns are sung.
8. As per traditions the Goddess Meenakshi is honored earliest and then the Lord Shiva is worshipped by the devotees/priests.
9. Car parade of Goddess Meenakshi & Lord Shiva is a renowned trait of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival in Madurai. During this time a huge number of locals & tourists assemble to Madurai to eyewitness the royal and grand events.
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