Madurai (Tamil Nadu), April 29 -- The annual Chithirai festival, also popularly called as 'Chithirai Brahmotsavam' of the World-renowned Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple began with the 'Dwajarohanam' (Flag hoisting) ceremony here on Tuesday.
The holy flag was hoisted atop the gold-plated 56-feet-high "dwajasthambam" (flag mast) of Lord Sundareswarar, amidst chanting of Vedic hymns by the temple priests and bhattars during the pre-designated "Mithuna Lagnam" between the auspicious hours of 1035 AM and 1059 AM.
The priests performed the "deeparadhana" to the flag mast.
A large number of devotees, including women and children, congregated at the temple to witness the flag hoisting ceremony.
The idols of Goddess Meenakshi, Piriyavidai and...