Hi; Today's a really special day for Maduraiites. Thirukalyanam! Infact the whole week, Madurai is incredible. Each day there is a different vahanam, tomorrrow is ther and then Lord Azhagar gets in to the Vaigai. Which BTW is in full spate without even opening the dam!! Around 9:30am Madurai's largest feast, Thiru Kalyana Virundhu, for around 50,000 folk starts and goes on till the last devotee leaves (not a fixed time!). This time there is a Maplai Azhaippu Virundhu for 10,000 people too!
I was hoping somebody from the group would mention this festival atleast. But we seem to be fixated about larger matters like caste, atheism to discuss petty subjects like a Sivan-Meenakshi marriage!!
Rahul, thank you, very moving and nostalgic for those of us far from home!! I am reminded of Variar swamigal's Meenakshi Kalyanam, laced with his own brand of humor and music (even if all songs sounded same you felt compelled to listen :), he almost brought Azhagar with his sister and Sundaresa Peruman in front of your eyes!! Long time ago.