History of Madurai Chithirai Festival Shopping@Madurai
Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after its ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today.
The Sangam age or the Golden age of Tamil literature – produced masterpieces way back in the Pre christian era and in early 1st millennium . Madurai was the seat of the Tamil Sangam or Academy of learning. The entire city of Madurai, is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple – the temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos.
Madurai is one of the major districts of Tamilnadu State. Later on Madurai district was bifurcated into two districts namely Madurai and Dindugul Districts. In Madurai District, there are 15 State Assembly constituencies and two parliament constituencies.
Madurai is famous for its temples. The Aappudaiyaar Koyil Tevara Stalam and the Koodalazhagar Divya Desam are the most important temples one should rarely miss to go. In the vicinity of Madurai is Tirupparamkunram, one of the 6 padai veedu shrines of Murugan (glorified in Madurai Sangam Nakeerar’s Tirumurugaatruppadai). Also in the vicinity of Madurai is Alagar Koyil, one of the prominent Divya Desam shrines of the Sri Vaishnavite faith.
The procession of Lord Kallalagar (Lord Vishnu) , the elder brother of Goddess Meenakshi, from Alagarmalai to give away his sister married to Lord Sund The Chithirai Festival is held during April-May. On this occasion the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar is celebrated. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu as Azhagar rode on a golden horse to Madurai to the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi (Parvathi) with Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Siva). On the occasion, a decorated chariot carrying the two idols of the couple is taken around the town to the tumultuous notes of Nadaswaram and beats of drums. A spiritual ambience descends on Madurai. As the procession passes through the streets and in the vicinity of the 'devasthanam', offerings of coconuts, flowers, camphor and agarbathis are made by devotees. A spirit of devotion markeddecorated chariot carrying the two idols of the couple is taken around the town to the tumultuous notes of Nadaswaram and beats of drums. A spiritual ambience descends on Madurai. As the procession passes through the streets and in the vicinity of the 'devasthanam', offerings of coconuts, flowers, camphor and agarbathis are made by devotees. A spirit of devotion marked by pomp and gaiety pervades right through the day. The festival draws a mammoth crowd. trade exhibition and fairs organized here lend festivity to the occasion
Madurai is best-known for its handloom sarees of excellent quality, brassware, wood carvings.
Books
Motherland Book Centre, West Veli St., (Opp. Railway Station)
Sarvodhaya Ilakkiya Pannai, West Veli St., (Near Central Bus Stand)
Book Plaza, Town Hall Road
Selvi Book Centre, Nethaji Road., (Near Meenakshi Temple)
New Century Book House, West Tower St.,
Fabrics & Sarees
Hajeemoosa, 19, East Chithirai St.,
Kumaran Silks, Vengala Kadai St,
Rajmahal Silks, 32, Vengala Kadai St.,
Adams, 88 & 89, South Masi Street,
Alankar Textiles, (Sungudi Sarees) South Avani Moola St.,
Ranee Sarees (Sungudi Sarees) 70, South Masi St.,
Selections, South Chithirai St.,
Designs, Nethaji Rd.,
Nellai Dresses, Vilakkudhun,
Co-Optex Sales Emporium, West Chithirai St.,
Handicrafts
Madurai Gallery, Cottage Expo Crafts, 19, North Chithirai St.,
Imran Handicrafts Arts, 39, First Floor, North Chithirai St.,
Cottage Industries Exposition Ltd., 142-144, Nethaji Road,
Cottage Arts Emporium, 36, North Chithirai Street,
Poopahar Sales Emporium, East Avani Moola street,
Departmental Stores
Remuki Departmental Store, East Avani Moola St., & K.K.Nagar
Pandian Co - Operative Super Market, Palace Rd.,
Solanki, Goripalayam
Jewellery
Thanga Mayil Jewellery, South Avani Moola St.,
NSB Jewellers, South Avani Moola St.,
Ambiga Jewellers, South Avani Moola St.,
Home need Vessels
Anantha Metal Company, Kamarajar Rd.,
Anitha Marketing Agency, Kamarajar Rd.,