The ten-day annual festival of the famous Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple, in Tamil Nadu, began with a formal flag hoisting ceremony in the sprawling temple premises today. <br />'' <br />'' The main ceremony of the crowning of Lord Sundareswara will be held on 7th of September, after which Lord Sundareswar will accept the reign of Madurai for six months.  One of the interesting aspects of the festival is the enactment of various incidents in the lives of Lord Sundareswara and Goddess Meenakshi.<br />'' <br />'' In one of the important incidents enacted during the annual festival, Lord Sundareswar disguises himself as a labourer to help a poor old woman called Pittu. Music and dance performances as well as processions will be held in the brightly lit temple premises including the famous Golden Lotus pond and the Thousand Pillared Hall. <br />'' <br />'' It is notable that the Golden Lotus pond was thoroughly cleaned recently and natural water resources underneath the pond were revived using eco friendly geo carpeting technology. Police protection and patrolling has been increased and temporary watch towers have been put up in all the four corners of the temple quadrangle.<br />''  <br />