- By Kashish Rai
- Tue, 06 May 2025 01:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam 2025: The sacred occasion of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam marks the divine marriage of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Celebrated every year at the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple, it is a significant part of the Chithirai Festival and is celebrated on its tenth day. According to legend, Lord Shiva visited Madurai to wed Goddess Meenakshi, and the practice is still followed with great fervour. Thousands of pilgrims from Madurai and surrounding regions, and from all over the globe, throng the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple to experience this sacred ritual. This year, Meenakshi Thirukalyanam will be celebrated on 7th May 2025, Wednesday.
Check out all the significant details regarding the date, Uthiradam Nakshatram timings, significance and rituals for Meenakshi Thirukalyanam below:
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam 2025: Date And Time
- Meenakshi Thirukalyanam 2025 Date: 7th May 2025, Wednesday
- Uthiradam Nakshatram Begins: 06:17 PM, 7th May 2025
- Uthiradam Nakshatram Ends: 09:06 PM, 8th May 2025
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam 2025: Significance
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam is a significant event of the popular 'Chithirai Thiruvizha' festival observed in Madurai. The festival is observed in the Tamil month of Chitirai, which falls in April in the Gregorian calendar. Chithirai Thiruvizha is one of the longest festivals in the world, which is observed for 30 days with great enthusiasm and devotion. The festival draws thousands of pilgrims and believers yearly to witness its colourful processions, ceremonies and rituals.
The first 15 days of Chithirai Thiruvizha are spent celebrating Goddess Meenakshi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati and her sacred marriage with Lord Shiva. The second half of the festival is about Lord Alagar, another avatar of Mahavishnu and the older brother of Meenakshi. In ancient lore, it is said that Alagar came to Madurai to attend his sister's wedding.
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam marks the wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva with Goddess Meenakshi Amman. (Image Source: Wikimedia Common)
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam 2025: Rituals
On Meenakshi Thirukalyanam day, the devotees wake up early at sunrise and proceed to the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. After a holy bath in the Golden Lotus Pond, they dress in clean, traditional attire to start the rituals of the day. The ritual starts with offerings to Goddess Meenakshi through traditional practices, followed by prayers to Viboothi Vinayakar. Devotees sing devotional songs and bhajans on the temple grounds.
Applying the sacred ash known as 'Uthiraksham' while going to the temple is believed to be highly meritorious. Offerings in the form of fruits, coconuts and incense sticks are also taken along by the devotees to offer to the gods. Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi within the temple are clothed in silk apparel and floral garlands. The temple is draped like a bride, filled with lights and colours to mark the celestial marriage.
About 50 priests participate in conducting the puja rituals and special prayers on this day. The senior priests perform the sacred wedding ritual of the divine couple. After the rituals, the idols are taken through the streets in great processions on the Pushpa Pallakku and Yaanai Vahanam.
(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)
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