The legend of Lord Kallazhagar of Alagarkoil relieving Mandooga Maharishi from Durvasar’s curse was re-enacted in the Vaigai here on Saturday on the third day of the deity’s visit to the city.
Leaving Veeraraghava Perumal Temple in Vandiyur in Sesha vahanam, Lord Kallazhagar reached the Thenur Mandapam in the Vaigai for the event.
The ship-shaped mandapam was constructed by King Tirumalai Nayak for use by residents of Thenur village during their visit to Madurai for the Chithirai festival.
The festival used to be held in Thenur before it was shifted to Madurai. As per custom, a stork was brought from Thenur and a frog kept in the riverbed. Unfortunately, the stork could not withstand the heat. The ritualistic redemption is usually signalled by flying out of the stork from the pit housing the frog.
After the event, Lord Kallazhagar left for Ramarayar Mandapam in Garuda vahanam. People reached the Ramarayar Mandapam in the night to witness the ‘Dasavatharam’ in which the deity was decorated as the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu, conforming to the evolution of man. He will leave Ramarayar Mandapam in the form of Mohini on Sunday, on his onward journey towards Alagarkoil.
