Celestial Wedding @ Madurai on April 29th 2007

Celestial Wedding @ Madurai on April 29th 2007

It would be no exaggeration to state that Madurai is a true representation of the cultural ethos of India, and of the grandeur of Indian art. Central to this standing is the sprawling MeenakshiSundareswararTemple. The Haalaasya Maahaatmyam or the Tiruvilayaadal Puraanam speak of the various legends associated with Shiva, which still form a part of the festival traditions of this temple. The most amazing feature of this temple is that it is a living legend, absorbing traditions for over two millennia.
According to the legend, on the day Madurai was to be named, Lord Shiva blessed the land and its people while divine nectarshowered from his dreadlocked hair. The city hence came to be known as "Madhuraapuri"— the City of Divine Nectar. Perhaps the two most famous legends associated with Madurai are those of Kannagi and Meenaakshi—the first a woman who ascended to the status of a goddess, the second a goddess whose legend has become one with the history of the city's people.
In fact, the Madurai that we know today is not the Madurai of ancient times, for it is said that the entire city was once destroyed in an all-consuming fire. The story behind that fire is told in the 5,270-lined epic poem Cilappatikaram ["The Story of the Jewelled Anklets"] written by a Jain monk by the name of Ilango Atikal in the 5th century C.E. According to the author of the poem, it is a story about the importance for kings following dharma, the glory of a chaste woman and the effects of past-life karma. But about that later.
The story of Goddess Meenaakshi begins with her father, Emperor Malayadwaja Pandyan, the successor to Madurai's founder Kulasekhara Pandyan. For years, Malayadwaja’s consort Kaanchanamaala was unable to conceive. In attempts to beget a child, Malayadwaja conducted many Vedic homas. Finally, in the midst of one such ritual, a three-year-old girl with three breasts emerged from the homa flames and sat on Kaanchanamaala' s lap. The girl in fact was Goddess Paarvati, who had taken birth as Kaanchanamaala' s daughter in response to a prayer of hers in her past life.
Malayadwaja was a bit sad that he was not blessed with a son. But suddenly he heard a disembodied heavenly voice (Asreeree) tell him that he should name the girl "Tatâtakai" and to raise her as if she were a son. The voice ensured Malayadwaja that Tatâtakai's third breast would be absorbed back into her body when she first cast her eyes on the man who would become her husband—Lord Shiva. Malayadwaja obeyed the divine command. He named Tatâtakai his successor and taught her the art of war. After Malayadwaja' s death, Tatâtakai ascended to the throne. She was the beloved of the people and came to be known as "Meenaakshi"— the one with fish-like eyes. Meenaakshi embarked on a dig-vijaya, a military campaign of victory across the length and breadth of India. After numerous victories on earth, Meenaakshi attacked MountKailaash, the abode of Lord Shiva. She defeated all the soldiers and generals of the Lord. Seeing this, Shiva himself came to fight the undaunted queen. But as soon as Meenaakshi saw the Lord, the prophecy of her youth bore fruit: she instantly fell in love with him and her third breast went back inside her body. Shiva directed Meenaakshi to return to her home city, promising her that he would join her in eight days as her bridegroom. And this was exactly what happened. They were married in Madurai with Lord Vishnu himself giving away Meenaakshi to Shiva.
Meenaakshi Kalyanam—the marriage of Meenaakshi with Shiva—is celebrated annually to this day with great fervor--on the day ruled by star Uthiram during the Tamil month of Chitrai (April 14th to May 14th). Elders say, (for those who believe) there is a reason for celebrating this festival. In the present day marital life, conflicts arise due to the malefic effects and incompatible horoscopes of the spouses. This festival helps to remove these negative influences and incompatibilities if any. The other reason to celebrate this festival is to help people seek forgiveness in their sacred marital life. Kalyanam means noble and godly trait. Hence this festival also means that it bestows unfathomable godly traits to lead a happy and harmonious married life. Personsparticipating in the holy wedding or witnessing the ceremony of Goddess Meenaakshi will receive the divine power of the Shiva and Shakthi in unison.
Even today, on this festival day many couples present in the vicinity of the temple and in the near by areas, change their sacred yellow thread (Mangal Sutra) upon hearing the drum-beat and the temple bells which is the symbolic indication of the marriage of goddess Meenaakshi.
Offering/donating/ exchanging of sacred thread, bangles, sarees, sindur (kumkum) to married women can be seen during this festival day in and around the district of Madurai. It is believed by millions even today that such acts would bring harmony in relationships ensuring long and happy marital life. People can be seen donating 100's of yellow sacred threads or Mangal Sutra made of gold or silver as per their affordability.
Being an auspicious day, even people who are not able to go to Madurai can visit any Shiva/Parvathi temple nearby in their city and seek the blessings. Some may extend help to poor to get married which will help them to enjoy Lord’s blessings for a harmonious and a happy wedded life to themselves. Some believe that taking part in the rituals and donating to Sumangalis on this day is an important remedy for Mangalik or Kuja Dosha.

So do enjoy the Holy wedding anniversary on 29^th April this year.

regards sunkan