The Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, also known as Chithirai Tiruvia or Meenakshi Kalyanam, is an annual Tamil Hindu celebration in the city of Madurai during the month of April.

Chithirai Festival in Madurai celebrates the celestial union of Lord Sunderswarar (Lord Shiva) and Goddess Meenakshi, considered to be Lord Vishnu’s sister.

• The festival also known as Chithirai Thiruvizha, Meenakshi Thirukalyanam or Meenakshi Kalyanam falls at the beginning of April or the Tamil month Chithirai.
• It is a 15-day celebration that brings harmony to everyone, irrespective of caste and religion. The festival also sees a union of the two Hindu sects, Shaivites and Vaishnavites, the devotees of Shiva and Vishnu respectively.
• This year the festival started on April 12.
• One of the highlights of the festival is the procession of the deities.
• The Digvijayam procession was taken out on the ninth day of the annual Chithirai festival, on Saturday. Goddess Meenakshi mounted on ‘Indira vimana,’ was taken out on a procession on the Masi streets.
• Lord Sundareswarar along with Goddess Piriyavidai were also taken out on a procession. Thousands of devotees witnessed the procession.