Thaipusam, observed today – February 7, 2012 – is one of the biggest festival dedicated to Hindu God Muruga. Thaipusam is mainly celebrated by the Hindu Tamil speaking community in India (especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh), Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka and in many other parts of the world were Tamilians have settled. Goddess Parvati presented the ‘vel’ (lance) to Lord Muruga on the Thai Pusam day to defeat the demons. Like most Hindu festivals, Thaipusam too celebrates the victory of good over evil. The most important event on the day is that of devotees carrying various types of Kavadi to the Murgan temples. The most important Kavadi pilgrimage takes place at the Batu caves in <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on"><ST1LACE w:st="on">Malaysia</ST1LACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION> and Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu. Significance of Thaipusam Thaipusam, like most Hindu festivals, celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is believed that Goddess Parvati gave the ‘Vel’ (lance) to Lord Muruga on the Thaipusam day to vanquish the Asura (demon) army. Thaipusam is observed on the Pusam star in the Tamil month of ‘Thai’ (January – February). <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /> Lord Muruga, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, is also known as Skanda and Subrahamaniyan. He defeated Tarakasuran and other demons using the ‘vel.’ This is why most images of Lord Muruga have him carrying the powerful ‘vel.’ Thaipusam is mainly celebrated in the Tamil speaking world. In <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION><ST1LACE>India</ST1LACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION>, it is celebrated in the Southern State of Tamil Nadu and in parts of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Thaipusam celebration at the <ST1LACE><ST1LACENAME>Batu</ST1LACENAME> <ST1LACETYPE>Caves</ST1LACETYPE></ST1LACE> in <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION><ST1LACE>Malaysia</ST1LACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION> has become world famous. It is also celebrated with much fervor in <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION><ST1LACE>Singapore</ST1LACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION>. Devotees carry Kavadi to Murugan temples on this day. Nowadays, Thaipusam celebrations garner international attraction for the body piercing with vel (lance) by devotees What to do on Thaipusam Day? Thaipusam is one of the most important festivals dedicated to Lord Muruga - also known as Skanda, Subrahmaniya and Kartikeya and Shanmukha. Thaipusam is held on Pusam star in the month of Thai (January – February). There are numerous legends and myths associated with this Murugan festival. On the Thaipusam day, large number of devotees head towards Murugan temples in procession carrying Kavadi. The drumming and chanting of vel vel shakti vel electrifies the procession and some start to dance. Some devotees pierce their tongue and cheek with ‘vel’ (small lances.) Some insert hooks in their body and some use these hooks to pull heavy objects. On the day, devotees go to any length to display their devotion to Lord Muruga. The more subdued devotees offer fruits and yellow or orange colored flowers to Lord Muruga. They wear yellow or orange colored dress. These two colors are identified with Muruga. Some people carry pots of milk on their head. Story on Thaipusam There are numerous myth associated with Thaipusam. But the most important legend is that of Goddess Parvati presenting ‘Vel’ to muruga to eliminate demon Tharakasura. Vel myth behind celebrating Thaipusam Sages were fed up with the troubles created by demon Tarakasuran and his friends. They complained to Lord Shiva and he instructed Lord Muruga to help them. Lord Shiva gave him eleven weapons and Mother Parvati presented the most powerful ‘Vel.’ Lord Muruga killed the demons including Tharakasuran on Pusam star in the month of <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION><ST1LACE>Thai. Thaipusam is celebrated to </ST1LACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION>commemorate <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION><ST1LACE>this victory of good over evil. </ST1LACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION> Kavadi and Thaipusam Another legend about Thaipusam is associated with the Kavadi. It involves Lord Muruga testing the determination of Idumban, the student of Sage Agasthya. Curse on Lord Muruga and Thaipusam Another myth revolves around Lord Muruga eavesdropping into the conversation between Lord Shiva and Parvati. Lord Shiva was rendering an important mantra to Parvati and Lord Muruga listened to it by hiding. Parvati discovered that Lord Muruga was eavesdropping and cursed him. Lord Muruga acknowledged his mistake and started a penance. Parvati was pleased and appeared before him with Lord Shiva. Thaipusam is believed to be the day in which Parvati appeared before Lord Muruga. Cosmic Dance and Thaipusam According to another legend Lord Shiva and Parvati were involved in a cosmic dance on the Thaipusam day. It is said that all the gods assembled to watch this cosmic dance. River Kaveri and Thaipusam Another myth of Thaipusam revolves around Lord Vishnu and River Kaveri. Kaveri was jealous of River <ST1LACE>Ganga </ST1LACE>getting so much of importance - especially <ST1LACE>Ganga </ST1LACE>residing on the locks of Lord Shiva. She prayed to Lord Vishnu and it is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared before her on Thaipusam day. Significance of Kavadi in Muruga Temples Offering Kavadi to Lord Muruga is of great significance as it brings peace and good luck. The myth of taking Kavadi is associated with Lord Murugan testing Idumban of his determination and duty towards his Guru. The Kavadi that each devotee carries symbolizes his/her burden like the two hills carried by Idumban. It is believed that the burden in the life of a devotee who carries Kavadi is lessened by Murugan. Taking Kavadi to Murugan temples during Thaipusam is considered highly auspicious. The usual Kavadi is a small wooden structure with an arch covered with a piece of cloth and is held on shoulders. The two sides of the Kavadi are covered with feathers of peacock – the vehicle of Lord Muruga. The sides also contain two bags to carry offerings to the Lord. Some devotees beg at houses to collect the offerings to the Lord. But today most people fill the bags on their own. The person who takes the Kavadi should observe certain austerities. The austerities start with food. Most Kavadi bearers avoid non-vegetarian food, liquor and other intoxicating objects. <ST1:CITY><ST1LACE>Orange</ST1LACE></ST1:CITY> and yellow are the preferred dress color. These colors are associated with Lord Muruga. The person on the day of journey holds a cane in his hand. Some Kavadi bearers insert ‘vel’ (small lances) and hooks on the body. No reference of such practice is found in any holy scriptures. But people do such antics to please Lord Muruga. Today, artistic talent comes to the fore when it comes displaying Kavadis and the shape and structure of Kavadis have undergone sea change. Different types of Kavadi are offered by devotees at the <ST1LACE><ST1LACENAME>Batu</ST1LACENAME> <ST1LACETYPE>Cave</ST1LACETYPE> <ST1LACETYPE>Temple</ST1LACETYPE></ST1LACE> in <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION><ST1LACE>Malaysia</ST1LACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION>. And some of latest Kavadis are mindboggling. In spite of all these changes, even today one finds people taking the simple traditional Kavadi and begging in <ST1LACE>South India to go to Palani Temple in Tamil Nadu</ST1LACE>.
good but somebody know what is the sad part??????????????? Thaipoosam is a NATIONAL HOLIDAY for entire Malaysia. Why not in Tamilnadu and Pondicherry.... Shame on the Government :-(
தைப்பூச ஜோதி தரிசனம் – பார்க்க! ஒவ்வொரு தைப்பூசம் தோறும் பலர் ஜோதி தரிசனத்தை கண்டிருக்கலாம். ஆனால் தைப்பூசம் அன்று காட்டப்படும் முதல் ஜோதியில் ஒரு சிறப்பு உள்ளது. ஆம், தை பூசம் அன்று காலை நீங்கள் ஞான சபை உள்ளே சென்று ஜோதி தரிசனம் பார்க்காமல் வெளியே நின்று பாருங்கள். நாம் அப்படி வெளியில் நின்று உற்று பார்க்க வேண்டும் என்றுதான் நடுவில் ஞான சபையை கட்டி அதை சுற்றிலும் காலி இடமாக அமைத்தார் இப்பொழுது நாம் தை பூசம் அன்று வெளியில் நின்று பார்த்தால்…. இடது பக்கம் அதாவது மேற்கு பக்கம் சந்திரனும், வலது பக்கம் அதாவது கிழக்கு பக்கம் சூரியனும் ஒரே நேர்கோட்டில் நிற்கும் அதாவது மேற்கே சந்திரன் மறையும் கிழக்கே சூரியன் உதயம் ஆகும் போது நடுவில் சத்திய ஞான சபையில் அகண்ட பெருஞ் ஜோதியை ஏழு திரை நீக்கி தரிசனம் காண செய்வித்தார்கள். இதுவே மிகப்பெரிய தத்துவம். நாம் நமது வலது கண்ணாகிய சூரிய கலையோடும் இடது கண்ணாகிய சந்திர கலையோடும் ஒளி பொருந்திய அக்னி கலையாகிய மத்தியில் உள்ள பரம்பொருளை தரிசிக்க ஏழு திரைகள் தடையாக உள்ளது. நம்மிடம் உள்ள துர்குணங்களின் கூட்டே ஏழு திரைகள். நாம் நம் கண்ணில் ஒளியை பெருக்க பெருக்க நம்மிடம் உள்ள அஞ்ஞானமாகிய இருளாகிய - ஏழு திரைகள் ஒவ்வொன்றாக நீங்கி முடிவில் ஜோதி தரிசனம் அனுபவத்தில் காணலாம். இதை விளக்கத்தான் வடலூரில் தை பூசத்தன்று ஜோதி தரிசனம் காண்பித்தார்கள். சூரியனும் சந்திரனும் நம் வலது கண்ணாகவும், இடது கண்ணாகவும் உள்ளன. இந்த முறை தைப்பூச ஜோதியை வடலூர் சத்திய ஞான சபையில் காண்க! பின் ஜோதியை உங்களுக்குள் காண முயற்ச்சியை மேற்கொள்ளுங்கள் என எல்லாம் வல்ல அருட் பெரும் ஜோதியை வேண்டிகொள்கிறோம்.
Dear All, Have u ever questioned why they say particular no. of hands, faces n colours to God n link? Please try to ask within u n compare it inside us researching our inner self, all will be revealed slowly... why this orange n yellow colour to murugan? Coz, the Sun rises with a bit orange colour, then the Yellow colour later when completely raised.... So, our inner sun is equivated to Lord Muruga - the inner sun which is the most powerful, a million times that the external sun.... n so they linked the colour of orange n yellow with murugan... Then, his mother parvathi - Parvai + Thee - means the fire inside the eyes is the parvathi - it originates in the inner eye n can be felt within the pupil of one's eye.... it's been veiled inside the pupil by our karma... our mind resides here only n controls us (Moodevi).. When that lock is opened(Which Valmiki says in ramayan, only sita(lakshmi) is able to request lord Narayana to remove the lock)..... u understand where the lock is? Anaylse our ancient valuable scriptures n try to follow atleast in this lifetime n enjoy the real fruit, (mango(Gnanam)....) Vel - The Gnanam - is handed over to muruga by Parvathi..... clearly now u understand the coded meaning i hope.. Kavadi - Kaal + Adi.... Kaal(Feet - Eyes(Not Air as many believe) Adi - Feet - Inner eye So, same kavadi for murugan n ramar paadam for raama, done by both saivism n vaisnavism.... please try to understand.... Have a nice day. What is given above article is "Bhakthi Margam"... the explanation here is "Gnana Margam"... That old age, they had more time to go through all steps one by one n finally to reach Gnana... Here, in this short life span, we ought to know the reality to escape from life-death bondage.... Be alert... n with eyes focused open within.... That's what coded by Dakshinamoorthy also... Aadiguru.. He never close his eyes n showed the meditating posture... He opened half... therewise, we can see the nosetip.. what happens there? Automatically, our strain can be felt in the Brumadhya - trikuthi... the inner eye... Hope this helps all in this great day of Thai Poosam. More later.. Have a nice day. wishes n regards, S. Sriumadevi Srinivasan.
