The Chithirai festival at Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Chennai got off to a rousing start on Tuesday, with hundreds of worshippers watching the flag-hoisting ceremony.

In the presence of Thakkar Karumuttu T. Kannan, Commissioner of Police T. Senthil Kumar, and temple officials, priests raised the traditional white flag on the 56-foot-tall flag mast at 10.50 a.m.

Gods Vinayaka, Muruga, Chandikeswarar, and Sundareswarar, Goddesses Piriyavidai and Meenakshi, were led out in procession to the flag-hoisting location earlier. A large throng watched Deeparathana being conducted to the 'kodimaram' (flag mast). To keep the gathering under control, a huge number of police officers were deployed.

On April 14, a total of 6,000 to 8,000 devotees will be permitted into the temple grounds to witness Goddess Meenakshi's celestial wedding to Lord Sundareswarar. There were 2,500 devotees who purchased Rs 500 tickets and 3,500 devotees who purchased Rs 200 tickets.

After the celestial wedding, worshippers will be allowed to have darshan of the deities at the Tirukalyana Mandapam from morning till sunset. The temple management would hand out prasadam and water bottles in bags. In addition, medical personnel will be stationed on the temple grounds.

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