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
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