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Friday, June 1, 2012

Vaikasi Visakam Festival - Birthday of Murugan


Vaikasi Visakam Festival - Birthday of Murugan


Vaikasi Visakam, also spelled Vaigasi Visakam or Vaikashi Vishakam, is observed as the birthday of Lord Subrahmanya or Lord Muruga during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (Mid May - Mid June). Vaikasi is the second month of Tamil Calendar and Visakam (Visakham) is the fourteenth nakshatra of the 27 Nakshatras (astrological stars). Vaigasi Visakam falls on the full moon day (pournami day) in the month of Vaikasi on the Visakam star. Visakam is considered to be the birth star of Lord Murugan and so he is also known by the name Visakan. The day honors the divine birth of Lord Subrahmanya as Shanmugan and is a significant occasion celebrated with religious fervor. This year Vaikasi Visakam falls on 03 June 2012.

The birth anniversary of Lord Muruga, who is also known as God of Courage, Wealth and Wisdom, is mainly celebrated by Tamilians all over the world. Lord Muruga is younger son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and brother of Lord Ganesha. Lord Muruga is also known as Lord Senthil, Lord Kumaran, Lord Subramanyam and Lord Shanmugam. Lord Murugan has six faces and because of that He is also known as Lord Arumugam. Due to His six faces Lord Murugan can see in East, West, North, South, Heaven and Patala (netherworld) simultaneously.

On Vaikasi Visakam, the day when the Nakshatram Visakam coincides with the full moon or Pournami, devotees take out procession and carry milk to Subramania temples to perform milk Abhishekam to the deity.


How to observe Vaikasi Visakam?

Vaikhasi Vishakam is performed with a special puja to Lord Murugan and Sarkarai Pongal is offered as Neivedyam. Some of the Hindu religious poems addressed to Lord Muruga such as Kanda Sashti Kavacham, Subrahmanya Bhujangam, Thiruppugazh (Muthai Tharu Bakthi), and Shanmukha Kavacham are recited with devotion. According to Hindu Tamilians belief, these Kavasams protect everybody from the evil spirits.
Devotees carry milk pots to Lord Murugan temples. Some people take Kavadi (a strong ritual bearing some form of physical hardship) on the Vaikasi Visakam day. Valli Kalyanam is held in Murugan Temples on Vaikasi Visakham day. Large numbers of devotees throng especially to famous Lord Subramanya Temples nearby.

Vaikasi Visakam at Murugan Temples.

Vaikasi Visakam is celebrated with much religious importance at the Arupadaiveedu of Lord Muruga or the six adobes of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu. These temples are the Palani Hill Temple, Thiruchendur Murugan Temple at Tuticorin, Arulmigu Swaminatha Swami Temple at Swamimalai, Thiruthani Murugan Temple, Sri Subramanya Temple at Pazhamudircholai, and Thiruparamkundram Subramanya Swamy Temple.
Vaigasi Visakam is also celebrated at Murugan Temples in Malaysia. Thousands of devotes visit the Batu Caves Murugan Temple of Kuala Lumpur and Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Murugan Temple at Penang, Malaysia to and perform rituals on the Vaikasi Visakam Festival every year.
Murugan Temples in Singapore also celebrate the Vaikasi Visakam festival annually. Sri Thandayuthapani Temple (Chettiar Hindu Temple), Murugan Hill Temple at Bukit Timah Road, and the Sri Holy Tree Sri Bala Subramaniam Kovil are the main Subramanya Temples in Singapore where Vaigasi Visakam festival is held with great religious importance.

Thiruppugazh  Devotional Song





Ninaiththa Podhu Nee Varavendum Murugan Devotional Song By TMS





Arunagirinathar Chant to Lord Murugan - Chant this on Vaikasi Visakam