Lord Kallalagar enters Vaigai without leaving Alagarkovil

MADURAI: Lord Kallalagar’s entry into the river Vaigai -- which used to be held as a grand event at Alwarpuram in Madurai every year during the Chithirai festival -- was conducted as a symbolic event on the Alagarkovil premises on Tuesday due to Covid-related restrictions.
Hindu religious and charitable endowment department officials conducted the event after installing a set --representing the Vaigai river -- on temple premises, located 20 km away from Madurai.
A giant flex hoarding with the images of the Vaigai and Albert Victor Bridge was erected on the temple premises. Water brought from the Vaigai was filled in a trough.
As the participation of devotees was banned, only a handful of people took part in the event. They carried Lord Alagar on palanquin. Lord Kallalagar entered water around 8.30 am. The event had been held following the agama rules, officials said.
The event was live livestreamed on temple website and its YouTube channels, said officials.
Residents were disappointed as the festival was conducted without any fanfare for the second consecutive year. Usually, lakhs of people from different parts of Tamil Nadu gather in the city to participate in the event.
However, on Tuesday, several people gathered on the Albert Victor Bridge and sprinkled water into the river. Many people tonsured their heads on the riverbanks as part of thanksgiving.
“We could not tolerate the fact that we could not witness the event this year as well. Just like many I also wanted the festival to be conducted with fanfare this year. When the lord visits the city, he brings prosperities and blesses people,” said P Senthamarai, a devotee.
As several people gathered, the Madurai city police swung into action. They blocked all the roads leading to the Albert Victor Bridge and dispersed the crowd.