A trip to Tamil Nadu is incomplete without seeing Madurai's majestic and vibrant carnival, which is called the Chithirai festival. Devotees line up on the streets of Madurai to witness the marriage of their Lord Sundershwar or Lord Shiva and the Goddess Meenakshi who is considered to be Lord Vishnu’s sister.
Devotees from all around India come to visit Meenakshi Temple to witness this magnificent event. Chithirai festival is all about religion, art, entertainment, and celebration of Tamil culture. In 2025 this festival will run from 14 April to 29 April at Meenakshi Temple, Madurai.
Chithirai Festival Madurai 2025 Highlights
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Highlights |
Details |
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Name |
Chithirai Festival Madurai 2025 |
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Venue |
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
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State |
Tamil Nadu |
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Date |
April 14 - 29, 2025 |
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Entry Fees |
Free |
Chithirai Festival Madurai 2025 Date and Venue
Chithirai Festival is a 15-day celebration that takes place in Madurai Meenakshi temple, Tamil Nadu, from 14 April to 29 April 2025.
List of Events in Chithirai Festival Madurai
Kodi Yatram: On the first day of the event the chief priest of the temple hosts a holy flag on the flag pole that indicates the beginning of the Chithirai festival and the flag stays on the flag pole until the end of the festival.
Pattabhishekam: The pattabhishekam, or coronation ceremony, is the event in which Queen Meenakshi is crowned as the queen of Madurai for the next four months.
Dikvijayam: In this event, Queen Meenakshi conquers the world and starts her journey towards Kailash Mountain. After encountering Lord Shiva, she falls in love with him. This event is all about Queen Meenakshi’s divine love for Lord Shiva.
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam: The highlight of the festival is Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, which is Meenakshi and Sundareswara's wedding day. More than fifty priests arrange the wedding. After the wedding ceremony, the couple goes on a grand parade through the streets, where devotees can participate and get blessings.
Chariot Festival: Meenakshi and Sundareswara come to see their subjects in a well-decorated chariot after the wedding.
Ethir Sevai: Lord Alagar disguises as a robber while traveling to Meenakshi's wedding. The locals portray him as Meenakshi's brother and honor his efforts of disguising himself as a robber to witness the happy marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareswara.
Alagar Vaigai Elenthuarulal: in this event, Lord Vishnu reveals his true identity as Lord Alagar.
Devendra Puja: The Devendra Puja is held on the fourteenth and final day of the Chithirai festival in honor of Indra who is considered as Meenakshi's brother, at the Meenakshi Temple at Madurai.
How to Reach Chithirai Festival Madurai
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Mood of Transport |
Direction |
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Airplane |
Madurai airport is the closest airport which is 12 km away from the venue |
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Train |
The nearest train station is Madurai Railway Station junction which is 1 km away |
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Bus |
Madurai city is the nearest major city which is 1 km away. Take a bus from Periyar Bus Stand to the temple. |
Accommodation Near Madurai Meenakshi Temple
Madurai Meenakshi temple doesn’t have any accommodation for the visitors. Near Madurai Meenakshi temple, there are some good quality hotels with affordable prices. Details are given below.
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Hotel name |
Address |
Average Price per Night |
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Hotel Temple View Annexe |
3rd Floor, Sarala Prasad Complex, 47-48, W Tower St, Madurai Main, Madurai, Tamil Nadu |
Rs.1056 |
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Hotel Supreme |
110, W Perumal Maistry St, Madurai Main, Madurai, Tamil Nadu |
Rs.981 |
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Le Grace Residency |
4/32, 80 Feet Rd, opposite to Apollo Hospital, Deputy Collector Colony, Managiri, KK Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu |
Rs.1110 |
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Hotel Temple City |
Melur Main Rd, Uthangudi, Tamil Nadu |
Rs.1117 |
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Dwarka Palace |
No:27/7, 27/8, Four Way Road, behind Pandikovil Road, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Tamil Nadu |
Rs.1344 |
Places to Visit Near Madurai Meenakshi Temple
Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace: Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace was made in the 17th century and it is a classic fusion of Dravidian and Islamic architectural styles.
Timing- 9 AM to 5 PM
Distance- 850 m
Ticket price- Adult Rs.50, Child Rs.25
Gandhi Memorial Museum: Established in 1959 to honor Mahatma Gandhi. It is a great place to visit to learn more about Mahatma Gandhi.
Timing- 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5:45 PM
Distance- 3.5 km
Ticket price- Free
Samanar Hills: This is a historic place and the hills were home to Tamil Jain monks during the 1st century AD.
Timing- 6 AM to 6 PM
Distance- 10.9 km
Ticket price- Free
Koodal Azhagar Temple: Historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu which is known for its intricate Dravidian architecture.
Timing- 6 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM
Distance- 1 km
Ticket price- Free
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam: Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam Temple is one of the largest temples in Tamil Nadu. It is famous for its scenic beauty.
Timing- 5 AM to 9 PM
Distance- 4.6 km
Ticket price- Free
FAQs
Ques: When is the Chithirai Festival Madurai 2025 going to happen?
Ans: The Chithirai Festival Madurai 2025 going to start from 14 April to 29 April 2025.
Ques: What are the entry fees for the Chithirai Festival Madurai 2025?
Ans: The Chithirai Festival Madurai 2025 is free of cost.
Ques: What happens in the Chithirai Festival Madurai 2025?
Ans: In the Chithirai Festival devotees witness the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi.
Ques: What is the venue of the Chithirai Festival?
Ans: Madurai Meenakshi temple is the venue of the Chithirai Festival.
Ques: How many days does the Chithirai Festival happen?
Ans: The Chithirai Festival lasts for 15 days.