📅 Overall Dates – 19 April 2026 to 30 April 2026
Chithirai Thiruvizha in Madurai runs for about 12 days beginning with the flag hoisting and concluding with the final rites and river visit of Lord Kallazhagar.
📌 Festival Daily Schedule (2026)
| Date | Event | Time / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Apr 2026 (Sun) | Kodiyetram (Flag Hoisting) – Official start of festival | 🌅 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM |
| Velli Simhasanam & Simha Vahanam | Evening programs (7–10 PM) | |
| 20 Apr 2026 (Mon) | Thanga Chaparam procession | Morning 7:00 – 9:30 AM |
| Bootha, Anna Vahanam | Night 7:00 – 10:30 PM | |
| 21 Apr 2026 (Tue) | Kailasa Parvadham, Kamadhenu Vahanam | Night 7:00 – 10:30 PM |
| 22 Apr 2026 (Wed) | Thanga Pallakku (Morning & Evening) | 9:00 AM / ~6:00 PM |
| 23 Apr 2026 (Thu) | Thanga Guthirai Vahanam – Vedar Pari Leelai | Evening/Night |
| 24 Apr 2026 (Fri) | Rishaba Vahanam (Thanga & Velli Rishabam) | Night 7:30 – 11:00 PM |
| 25 Apr 2026 (Sat) | Sri Gangalanathar Ezhuntharulal and Vahanams | Morning & Night |
| 26 Apr 2026 (Sun) | Meenakshi Pattabhishekam & Velli Simhasana Ula | Times to be updated |
| 27 Apr 2026 (Mon) | Festival activities continue | — |
| 28 Apr 2026 (Tue) | Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Thirukalyanam (Celestial Wedding) | Morning event (approx. 10 AM–4 PM) |
| 29 Apr 2026 (Wed) | Therottam / Chariot Festival | Daytime procession |
| 30 Apr 2026 (Thu) | Kallazhagar Edhir Sevai | 🌄 Evening (4:00 – 9:00 PM) |
| 01 May 2026 (Fri) | Kallazhagar Vaigai Aatril Ezhuntharulal (Lord Kallazhagar enters Vaigai River) | 🌄 Early Morning (6:00 – 9:00 AM) |
🌟 Key Rituals & Highlights
- Kodiyetram (Flag Hoisting) – Marks official start of celebrations.
- Daily Vahanam Processions – Each day features different Vahanams (vehicles of the deity) and cultural rituals.
- Thirukalyanam (Divine Wedding) – Central highlight of the festival.
- Therottam (Temple Car Festival) – Car procession of deities.
- Kallazhagar’s Vaigai River Visit – Concluding ritual celebrated with great devotion.
📌 Notes
- Exact timings (especially for morning/evening rituals) may be updated by official temple announcements closer to the festival dates.
- This timetable provides the main scheduled rituals/events; smaller daily rites also occur throughout the festival period.
