More than 100 people, including dozens of children, were hospitalized after consuming biryani at a DMK meeting in Madurai. The incident, which took place on Friday, saw attendees experiencing vomiting and nausea, leading to a police investigation and concerns about food safety. This incident follows similar events in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, highlighting the need for stricter food safety measures in public gatherings.
A perplexing incident occurred in India when 1,000kg of meat vanished from a train traveling from Chennai to Madurai. Food safety officials discovered an empty cargo compartment upon inspection, raising concerns about the potential health risks associated with the missing meat. The incident has sparked investigations, with railway authorities and food safety officials working to uncover the details of the missing consignment.
The Madurai Railway Division has achieved the highest punctuality rate for trains in India, recording 99.37% for mail and express trains and 99.42% for unreserved passenger and ToD services. The division also boasts a significant increase in freight speed, the introduction of new services, and significant infrastructure enhancements.
Thousands of devotees in Madurai participated in the traditional water-spraying ceremony for Lord Kallazhagar, who is believed to journey from Azhagarkoil to witness the marriage of his sister Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar. Young devotees dressed up as Lord Kallazhagar as he entered the Vaigai river and made his way to Ramarayar Mandapam. It is believed that spraying water on Lord Kallazhagar using goatskin water bags cools him down from the summer heat and is a form of service for the devotees. The festival also included music, dance, and ‘deeparadhana’ performed by women who distributed jaggery to devotees after lighting camphor in pots filled with jaggery.
Devotees in Madurai celebrated the 11th day of the Chithirai festival with a grand car festival. Chariots carrying Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar were taken through the streets, while devotees chanted spiritual slogans. The city remained awake to witness Lord Kallazhagar’s entry into the Vaigai River.
Lord Kallazhagar’s entry into the Vaigai river marked the commencement of the Chithirai festival in Madurai. In other news, the Puducherry Elections Department is considering relaxing the MCC in certain areas. The Ramanathapuram district police have solved a missing person case from 2021, resulting in three arrests. A supermarket manager in Chennai has been apprehended for sexual harassment. Scientists at ICAR-CMFRI’s Visakhapatnam station have successfully bred the golden trevally, a popular marine fish in Tamil Nadu’s coastline.
The grand procession of Lord Kallazhagar, mounted on an elaborate palanquin, captivated thousands of devotees as it made its way from Azhagarkoil to Madurai on Monday. The procession, a central part of the annual Chithirai festival, saw Lord Kallazhagar visit over 470 mandagapadis (temporary shrines) along the route.
The Masi streets of Madurai witnessed a massive gathering of devotees for the Masi Car Festival. Thousands flocked to witness the ornate cars of Lord Meenakshi Sundareswarar, adorned with elaborate decorations and vibrant colors. The festival procession featured enthusiastic devotees dressed as Lord Shiva, swaying in rhythm to the beats of traditional instruments. Despite the scorching sun, the festive atmosphere was further enhanced by the refreshing sounds of conch shells and udukkais, creating a truly immersive experience.
