History of Chithirai Thiruvizha describes the mythological legends which eventually led to the celebration of the Chithirai Thiruvizha which is observed in Madurai, Tamil Nadu during April. While the first 15 days of this festival is held in the honour of Meenakshi or Parvati, the remaining 15 days are celebrated in reverence of Alagar, an avatar of Lord Mahavishnu. Therefore this festival comprises two different events. Therefore this festival comprises two different events. The festive event of the last 15 days is termed as the `Alagar Festival`
As per the mythological account, Meenakshi who was the daughter of King Malayathuvaja Pandian and his queen Kanchanamalai, was actually granted to them when the king offered special Puja, in order to obtain a child. She was an incarnation of `Shakti`, the wife of Lord Shiva. When the king had received the child on his lap, he heard a sacred voice who spoke to him from the heavens stating that at the right age, Lord Shiva would appear to marry Her since she was actually a form of Shakti. Soon, Meenakshi blossomed into a young lady and was well trained in all sorts of war skills. Her father crowned her as the next queen of his kingdom and she succeeded in conquering the whole world, armed with powerful battlefield arts. She then proceeded to Kailayam, the abode of Lord Shiva to invade it but fell in love with Him. Lord Shiva gave Her His word that He would arrive at Her residence to marry Her, and this promise was kept. Lord Shiva appeared before Meenakshi, accompanied by saints and `rishis` and `Devas`. Following their marriage, Lord Shiva ruled the kingdom by the name of Sundara Pandyan. The celebration of this divine wedding is observed even today by the Shaivites.
There exists yet another tale related to the Alagar festival which is celebrated by the Vaishnavites. It claims that once when a saint named Mandooka rishi was bathing in Aagaayaganga River in Alagar Hills, he failed to take notice of Durvasa Rishi who was crossing the same spot and consequently invoked the anger of the ill-tempered saint. However, Durvasa rishi`s wrath was aroused and he thought Mandooka rishi had dishonoured him by not being hospitable towards him. He cursed that Mandooka rishi would become a frog and spent the rest of his life as a frog in Vaigai River. Hearing this, the frightened Mandooka rishi pleaded for some kindness, upon which Durvasa rishi added that his curse would only be lifted if he prayed to Lord Alagar. Instantly, Mandooka became a frog, and started praying to Lord Alagar near Vaigai River, to come to his rescue. Pleased by his prayers, Lord Alagar arrived before Mandooka and gave him back his human form and also demonstrated all his ten avatars on his request.
The two festivals started being observed as a singular festive event during the reign of the ruler Thirumalai Nayakar, in order to unify the two separate religious groups of Vaishnavites and Shaivites. From that time onwards the festival is celebrated as one great, pompous festival and it derived its present name of Chitirai Thiruvizha from this very legend.
