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Significance of Thai Poosam

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Significance of Thai Poosam


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A festival occurring in the Tamil month Thai (January - February), on the day of the star Poosam around Pournami (Full Moon) is celebrated as Thaipusam [Thai Poosam]. There are several legends about the festival Thaipusam. Here are a few of them There was a demon named Tharakasuran who gave a lot of trouble to the rishis and saints. Lord Muruga was called by his parents Lord Shiva and Parvati and given the job of destroying the Asuran.

Lord Muruga set off with the blessings of his parents to destroy the demon. He took with him twelve weapons, eleven of which were given by his father Lord Shiva and the 'Vel' given by his mother Parvati. Lord Muruga destroyed Tharakasuran on the Poosam Nakshatra day in the Tamil month of Thai and hence Thai Poosam is celebrated in all Murugan temples.

According to another legend, as Shiva was imparting a mantra to Parvati, Lord Muruga eavesdropped on them. For that error, Parvati laid a curse on him, in line with the rule that even a son, if erring, must be punished. To be redeemed from her curse, Lord Muruga offered hard penance at Thiruparankundram. Pleased with his penance, Shiva and Parvati appeared before him and lifted the curse. The day on which the curse was removed is Thai Poosam.

It is thus a special day for worship of Lord Muruga or Subrahmanya and is celebrated in a very grand manner at all Murugan temples, especially at the Six Battle Camps or 'Arupadai Veedu' of Murugan.


Significance of Kavadi

The Kavady prayer and penance is observed over 10 days by devotees. The devotee has to abstain from various things like alcohol, drugs etc. They have to observe celibacy and maintain a vegetarian diet for this entire period. The Kavady procession is seen as an outward demonstration of mass devotion to God as Lord Muruga.
There are various reasons for carrying the Kavady but the two main categories are firstly to express thanks to Lord Muruga or to ask Muruga for help in overcoming a particular problem.
According to mythology, Iduman, one of the disciples of Agasthiyai, was asked to bring to hills - representing the two forces inherent in all living beings (Siva and Shakti). Iduman, carried these two hills with a - Kavady a beam across his shoulder with one hill suspended on each end. Mid way through the journey he sat his burden down in order to rest.

When he was ready to resume, he found that the hills were too heavy to pick up. As he prepared to forcibly pick them up he saw Lord Muruga in the way and he angrily asked him to move out of the way, Muruga refused.
Iduman was annoyed a battle broke out between Lord Muruga and Iduman whereby Iduman was destroyed. Muruga through his eternal mercy revived and pardoned him, a change came over Iduman and he became Lord Muruga’s greatest devotee. He carried the first Kavady out of absolute devotion to the Lord. Lord Muruga also made Iduman his gate keeper. That is why when a devotee goes to the famous Pazhanimalai temple one must first pray to Iduman and then proceed to the main temple.

What is a Kavady?

It is a Tamil word meaning flattened pole with loads at the ends. The Kavady carried in a religious procession also has a pole with a semi circular arch. The arch is decorated with flowers and palm leaves. The loads attached to the ends of the pole are brass vessels filled with milk or other offerings. Peacock feathers and a vel are also attached.

A brass pot filled with milk can also be carried for Lord Muruga as an offering and it is called “Paal Kodum”.
One question which is often asked by devotees is can I fast for Kavady without carrying a Kavady.

The answer to this question is definitely “YES”. One does not have to only carry a Kavady to show devotion to Lord Muruga. By observing the 10 day fast and attending the 10 day prayer at the temple is also seen as devotion towards Lord Muruga. Devotees please remember it is your love and devotion towards the Lord that is important.

About Thaipusam [Thai poosam] and its importance | offer pooja on Thaipusam | Festivals | EPrarthana.com

:: Lenz Shree Siva Soobramaniar Thirukoil ::

Picture Source: FB
 
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