Thaipoosam - The most auspicious day
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 the flag raised in Lord Muruga temple
The flag which is raised on the first day of the "Thai Poosam" or any festival marks the beginning of the ten day fast and the observance of the Kavady festival. The flag also serves as a reminder that the devotee has to start fasting and go to the temple. The prayer and penance or austerities is observed over ten days by devotees of Lord Muruga. The devotee has to abstain from various vices like alcohol, drugs, non-vegetarian diet and other intoxicating objects, etc.
Significance of the banner on the flag
The Sevel (Rooster) symbolises the approach or the dawn of knowledge. It is the Sevel that proclaims the coming of the sun in the east. The sun is the heavenly body that dispels darkness. The Sevel on the banner announces the approach of knowledge which will destroy all ignorance. The ten day fast or sadhana is the clearance of one's mind, body and soul. By fasting and going to temple and praying for ten days, the devotees become spiritually charged and uplifted to carry their Kavady.
Significance of the Vel
Lord Muruga's Vel is strong, straight and pointed, representing our spinal cord running through the spinal column, to the top most part of our brain, which is the highest point of knowledge. The Vel is the spear of wisdom, penetrating the intellect, seeking ultimate reality. A deadly foe to the arrogant, to the lower natured, it affords strength and protection to the awaken soul.
Significance of the Mayil (Peacock)
The Peacock represents his vahana (vehicle) symbolising his conquest over ego, vanity and pride. By Lord Muruga sitting on the Peacock it symbolises the control he has over our pride and ego.
Valli and Dhaivany consorts of Lord Muruga
Valli is Icchashakti (power of will) and Dhaivany is Kriashakti (power of action).
The six-syllable mantra chanted for Lord Muruga OM SARAVANABAVA and their meaning is given below:
SA – Confers the prosperity of shakthi (strength)
RA – Gives the wealth of knowledge
VA – Bestows happiness of enjoyment
NA – Protect from all forces of evil
BA – Confers morality
VA – Confers a blessed life
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 the flag raised in Lord Muruga temple
The flag which is raised on the first day of the "Thai Poosam" or any festival marks the beginning of the ten day fast and the observance of the Kavady festival. The flag also serves as a reminder that the devotee has to start fasting and go to the temple. The prayer and penance or austerities is observed over ten days by devotees of Lord Muruga. The devotee has to abstain from various vices like alcohol, drugs, non-vegetarian diet and other intoxicating objects, etc.
Significance of the banner on the flag
The Sevel (Rooster) symbolises the approach or the dawn of knowledge. It is the Sevel that proclaims the coming of the sun in the east. The sun is the heavenly body that dispels darkness. The Sevel on the banner announces the approach of knowledge which will destroy all ignorance. The ten day fast or sadhana is the clearance of one's mind, body and soul. By fasting and going to temple and praying for ten days, the devotees become spiritually charged and uplifted to carry their Kavady.
Significance of the Vel
Lord Muruga's Vel is strong, straight and pointed, representing our spinal cord running through the spinal column, to the top most part of our brain, which is the highest point of knowledge. The Vel is the spear of wisdom, penetrating the intellect, seeking ultimate reality. A deadly foe to the arrogant, to the lower natured, it affords strength and protection to the awaken soul.
Significance of the Mayil (Peacock)
The Peacock represents his vahana (vehicle) symbolising his conquest over ego, vanity and pride. By Lord Muruga sitting on the Peacock it symbolises the control he has over our pride and ego.
Valli and Dhaivany consorts of Lord Muruga
Valli is Icchashakti (power of will) and Dhaivany is Kriashakti (power of action).
The six-syllable mantra chanted for Lord Muruga OM SARAVANABAVA and their meaning is given below:
SA – Confers the prosperity of shakthi (strength)
RA – Gives the wealth of knowledge
VA – Bestows happiness of enjoyment
NA – Protect from all forces of evil
BA – Confers morality
VA – Confers a blessed life
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