Elections clash with Chithirai festival in Madurai, parties seek change of dates - Hindustan Times
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Elections clash with Chithirai festival in Madurai, parties seek change of dates

Hindustan Times, Chennai | ByMC Rajan
Mar 11, 2019 09:37 PM IST

Representatives of the ruling AIADMK, opposition DMK and other parties have also suggested postponement of polling for Madurai.

Political parties in Tamil Nadu have asked the Election Commission to postpone the dates of Lok Sabha elections in Madurai constituency as the poll dates clash with the Chithirai festival, which draws more than five lakh devotees and pilgrims. The polling in Madurai is to be held on April 18.

A polling officer marks the finger of a voter with indelible ink at a polling station.(AP Photo)
A polling officer marks the finger of a voter with indelible ink at a polling station.(AP Photo)

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo has directed Madurai district collector, police commissioner and police superintendent to file a report on the feasibility of conducting election in the temple city on April 18.

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“It is difficult to provide security for polling on that day since over 5000 police personnel are being deployed for festival security alone. For poll arrangements and security, the services of para military forces could be requisitioned,” police commissioner Davidson Devasirvatham said.

Representatives of the ruling AIADMK, opposition DMK and other parties have also suggested postponement of polling for Madurai.

The annual Chithirai festival is the celebration of the wedding of Lord Sundareswarar with goddess Meenakshi and the visit of Lord Kallazhagar (Sundara Raja Perumal of Azhagarkoil, on the outskirts of Madurai) to the temple city.

Azhagarkoil, one of the 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams, is an agama temple where animal sacrifice is permitted within the temple complex. Both the festivals were brought together during the Nayaka rule in Madurai in the 16th Century.

Devotees receive the Lord Kallazhagar at around 450 designated places called Mandagapadis. And, the Lord entering the river Vaigai is the culmination of the festival and to witness this over five lakh people congregate on the river bed.

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