Festival of faith and livelihood

As processions wind through the streets of Madurai during the Chithirai festival, the celebrations extend beyond ritual, bringing together devotees, artisans and small traders in a cultural experience.

Veteran epigraphist V. Vedachalam describes the festival as a long-standing cultural bridge between rural and urban communities, noting that people from various parts of Tamil Nadu arrive in the city ahead of the festival and stay until it gets over.