Madurai Kallazhagar Chithirai Festival Calendar 2027
Sri Kallazhagar Vaigai River Entry Schedule
The historic event of Sri Kallazhagar entering the Vaigai River on Chitra Pournami falls on April 20, 2027 (Tuesday). The grand celebration is traditionally broadcast live from early morning across prominent regional networks, including News18 TamilNadu, Thanthi TV, and Sri Sankara TV. During this sacred entry, Azhagar blesses millions of gathered devotees from his iconic Golden Horse Vehicle (Thanga Guthirai Vahanam), accompanied by the traditional Thaneer Peechuthal water spraying ritual at the Ramarayar Mandapam.
Chitra Pournami Tithi Timings:
• Starts: 4:56 AM on April 20, 2027 (Tuesday)• Ends: 4:20 AM on April 21, 2027 (Wednesday)
Chithirai Festival Daily Event Schedule
| Date & Day | Festival Stage | Ritual Processions & Vahanam Details |
|---|---|---|
| 16 April 2027 Friday |
Day 1 |
• Kallazhagar Kodai Urchavam Begins • Evening (6:30 PM - 7:15 PM): Tholukkiniyan — Thirukalyana Mandapam Ezhuntharulal. Returns to Sannithi post Thiruvaradanam and Goshti. |
| 17 April 2027 Saturday |
Day 2 | • Evening (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Tholukkiniyan — Thirukalyana Mandapam Ezhuntharulal. Returns to Sannithi post Thiruvaradanam and Koshti. |
| 18 April 2027 Sunday |
Day 3 |
• Morning (6:00 AM - 7:00 AM): Tholukkiniyan — Thirukalyana Mandapam Ezhuntharulal. • Night (Timing TBA): Arulmighu Sundararaja Perumal assumes Kallazhagar Thirukolam, launching the Madurai Purapaduthal via Thanga Pallakku (Golden Palanquin). |
| 19 April 2027 Monday |
Ethir Sevai |
• Morning (6:00 AM - 7:00 AM): Moondru Maavadi Ethir Sevai reception. • Night (9:00 PM - 12:00 Midnight): Events at Thallakulam Prasanna Venkatesaperumal Kovil featuring Thirumanjanam, installation on the Thanga Guthirai Vahanam, Vettiver Chaparam, and the highly revered adorning of the garland sent from Srivilliputhur (Sri Andal Kodutha Maalai Sooduthal). • Midnight Bonus (April 20, 2:30 AM - 3:00 AM): 1000 PonSaparam Ther procession at Karuppanna Swamy Kovil. |
| 20 April 2027 Tuesday |
Vaigai Entry |
• Early Morning (Timing TBA): Sri Kallazhagar Vaigai Aatril Ezhuntharulal (Grand Entry into Vaigai River in Thanga Guthirai Vahanam with Thaneer Peechuthal at Ramarayar Mandapam). • Noon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Angapradatchanam rituals at Ramarayar Mandapam. • Night (9:00 PM): Arrival at Vandiyur Veeraraghava Perumal Thirukovil followed by Thirumanjanam, Saithyobacharam, and Ekanta Sevai. |
| 21 April 2027 Wednesday |
Day 5 |
• Morning (6:00 AM): Pathi Ulathuthal at Vandiyur. • Morning (9:00 AM): Post-Thirumanjanam, Sesha Vahanam procession begins from Vandiyur to Thenur. • Afternoon (11:30 AM - 3:00 PM): At Thenur Mandapam: Thirumanjanam and the pivotal Garuda Vahanam - Moksham for Manduga Maharishi. • Late Afternoon (3:30 PM - 4:00 PM): Angapradatchinam at Arulmighu Hanumar Kovil. • Night (10:00 PM): Dasavatharam Kaatchi (Display of the 10 Avatars) alongside Thirumanjanam at Ramarayar Mandapam. |
| 22 April 2027 Thursday |
Day 6 |
• Morning (6:00 AM): Mohini Avatharam appearance at Ramarayar Mandapam. • Afternoon: Post-Thirumanjanam, Rajanga Alankaram (Deity proceeds to Sethupathi Mandapam on the Anantharayar Pallakku). • Night (11:00 PM): Thirumanjanam and grand Poo Pallakku (Flower Palanquin) procession at Ramanathapuram Mannar Sethupathi Mandapam. |
| 23 April 2027 Friday |
Day 7 | • Early Morning (2:30 AM): Kallazhagar Thirukollam and Pushpa Pallakku procession. Following the Vaiyazhi rituals at Karuppanna Swami Kovil Sannidhi, the return journey to Thirumaliruncholai Purapaduthal commences. |
| 24 April 2027 Saturday |
Day 8 |
• Early Morning (3:00 AM - 4:00 AM): Sri Kallazhagar arrives at Appan Thirupathi. • Morning (Timing TBA): Lord Kallazhagar officially returns to his home abode (Thirumalirunsolai Vanthu Seruthal at Azhagar Kovil). |
| 25 April 2027 Sunday |
Day 9 | • Urchava Saatru Murai (Urchava Shanti closing peace rituals). |
Historical Legend & Significance
Why Kallazhagar Enters River Vaigai:
The festival commemorates the redemption of Suthapas Munivar. While performing strict penance dedicated to Lord Vishnu at Azhagar Malai near the Nubara Gangai natural spring, the sage failed to notice the arrival of the highly hot-tempered Sage Durvasa. Insulted by the lack of reception, Sage Durvasa cursed Suthapas to transform into a frog (Manduga).
To break the curse, Durvasa directed him to descend to the Vegavathi River (presently known as the Vaigai River) in Madurai and offer dedicated prayers to Lord Vishnu. Pleased by his continuous devotion, Lord Kallazhagar travels all the way from Azhagar Malai down to the Vaigai River to grant salvation (Saaba Vimotchanam) to the sage, who is remembered as Manduga Munivar.
Core Festive Symbology:
- Thanga Guthirai: The Lord rides into the riverbed on a majestic Golden Horse vehicle, adorned with the special sacred marriage garland sent lovingly from Srivilliputhur Sri Andal Nachiyar.
- Manduga Moksham: The actual lifting of the curse manifests at the Thenur Mandapam, where Lord Vishnu appears on his Garuda Vahanam to complete the salvation process for Manduga Munivar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the exact date for Kallazhagar entering the Vaigai River in 2027?
Lord Kallazhagar makes his divine entry into the Vaigai River on April 20, 2027 (Tuesday) morning, coinciding with Chitra Pournami.
What is the significance of the garland from Srivilliputhur?
Before stepping into the river, Lord Kallazhagar wears a special multi-hued garland that is safely brought from the Sri Andal Temple in Srivilliputhur, symbolizing a deep divine connection between the two sacred shrines.
Where do the Dasavatharam and Mohini Avatharam events happen?
The grand overnight Dasavatharam Kaatchi takes place at the Ramarayar Mandapam starting at 10:00 PM on April 21, 2027, directly followed by the graceful Mohini Avatharam look at 6:00 AM the next morning (April 22).
Where can devotees witness the actual curse-breaking ritual (Saaba Vimotchanam)?
The ultimate curse redemption for Manduga Munivar occurs at the Thenur Mandapam on April 21, 2027, between 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM, featuring the Lord mounted on his Garuda Vahanam.
Disclaimer: The dates, specific planetary hours, and event breakdowns listed here are synced to local Indian Standard Time (IST) guidelines and customary temple practice records for the 2027 Madurai Chithirai Peruvizha. Minute-by-minute procession timings can change closer to the event based on crowd density or operational decisions made by the Alagar Kovil Devasthanam board. Devotees are advised to cross-reference real-time updates via local news channels or official temple counters.