Thirumaliruncholai Dasavathra Utsavam

Sage Suthapas was taking a bath in the holy waters of Noopura Ganga in Azhagar hills. Unbeknownst to him, sage Durvasa passed by, but Suthapas didn't notice his arrival. Misinterpreting this as being ignored, Durvasa felt offended and cursed Suthapas to transform into a frog and live in the Vaigai River. Henceforth, Suthapas came to be known as Mandooka Maharishi.

Upon realizing his mistake and feeling remorseful, Suthapas Rishi pleaded for forgiveness from Durvasa. In response, Durvasa advised him to pray to Lord Azhagar in Maliruncholai hills. Following the sage's advice, Suthapas engaged in intense penance to please Lord Azhagar. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Azhagar granted the sage's request and revealed his Dashavataram sevai (the ten divine incarnations) to him.

This was the beginning and primary reason for the start of the chittirai utsavam which is now so famous and attracts millions of devotees every year, where the lords comes down from the Azhagar hills to the middle of the Vagai river to enact te same dasha avatram that he once did to Mandooka Maharishi. 

Azhagar in Matsya, Koorma and Vamana avatharams

The lord adorning Rama,Krishna and Mohini alankarams

Even to this day, during the chitthirai festival when the lord travels from Azhagar hills to Madurai for Meenakshi Amman's marriage with Shiva, he stops on the banks of the Vaigai and blesses the devotees with the same dashavatharam sevai he showed the rishi.






Azhagar during the 2 day journey to Madurai