Ashtami Chapparam (Ashtami Ther) is a unique and significant chariot festival celebrated at the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December or January). It is primarily a celebration of divine compassion and the sustenance of all living beings.
The festival commemorates the story of Lord Shiva (Sundareswarar) providing food to every living creature on Earth. According to legend, Goddess Meenakshi once tested the Lord’s power by hiding an ant in a small box. When she opened it, she found the ant eating a grain of rice, proving that the Lord provides for even the tiniest of beings.
On this day, the presiding deities – Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar are taken out in a grand procession through the four Veli streets of Madurai. A distinctive and empowering feature of this festival is that the chariot carrying Goddess Meenakshi is pulled exclusively by women devotees.
During the procession, the temple authorities symbolically distribute grains (usually rice) to the devotees. This “Padi” (measure) of rice is considered a blessing and represents the divine assurance that no one will go hungry.
It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving food and fodder, ensuring that no living being human or animal suffers from starvation.
