It's the day Lord Subrahmanya, or Murugan as He's called by the Tamils, incarnated.The story of His birth from the fiery third eye of Lord Shiva is well known.
This 10 day festival involves the worship of the Lord with prayers and pilgrimages to temples, especially the 6 divine abodes-"ArupadaiVeedu" in Tamil. On Vaikaasi Visaakam day, Valli Kalyaanam, the celestial wedding of Murugan to Valli, takes place with fanfare.
During this festive season, devotees satisy the common man's thirst by erecting stalls providing buttermilk, as this is a very hot period of the year. Charitable activities are undertaken, as helping others is a good way to elavate oneself spiritually by cleansing the mind. Sundal (Cooked
pulses) and SakkaraiPongal (sweet cooked rice) are offered as Neividyam and distributed among the people.
pulses) and SakkaraiPongal (sweet cooked rice) are offered as Neividyam and distributed among the people.
This is Lord Murugan from the Thirupparankundram temple, on the horse, coming to grace devotees at the workplace of the writer. Sorry, Lord Murugan who's seated on the horse is not visible properly in this poor cell phone camera photo. :)
This festival is also very special to the Vaishnavas.To the south of Madurai, is a place called Aazhvaar Thirunagari near Thirunelveli. This is the birthplace of one of the most important
Vaishnava saints, Nammaazhvar, and Vaikaasi Visaakam is His birthday. This is also celebrated as a 10 day festival, and the Garuda Sevai on the fifth day, in which the Lord MahaVishnu comes on His divine vehicle Garuda, is a spectacle indeed.
Vaishnava saints, Nammaazhvar, and Vaikaasi Visaakam is His birthday. This is also celebrated as a 10 day festival, and the Garuda Sevai on the fifth day, in which the Lord MahaVishnu comes on His divine vehicle Garuda, is a spectacle indeed.
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