The Thaipusam festival is being celebrated with great pomp today. On this occasion, lakhs of devotees gather in the Murugan temples. Let’s take a detailed look at the history of Thaipusam in this article.
History of Thaipusam:
During the war between the gods and the demons, the gods were unable to destroy the demons. Therefore, the gods appealed to Lord Shiva to destroy the demons.
Lord Shiva, the ocean of mercy, accepted the appeal of the gods and created Lord Murugan with his personal power.
The six sparks that emerged from Lord Shiva’s forehead became six beautiful children. The children were raised by the women of Karthigai and then he incarnated with six faces.
It was on the day of Thaipusam that Goddess Parvati offered the Gnanavel to Lord Murugan, who was sitting on the Palani hill in the form of an ant.
Using the weapon given by Ambal as a weapon, he killed the demons who were bothering the gods in Thiruchendur. Therefore, it is said that his sword also has a special power like that of Lord Muruga.
It is believed that by worshipping the sword of Lord Muruga, who helped him kill the demons, evil forces do not attack us, and those forces submit to us and bestow good graces.
Thaipusam Specialties:
The day of the Poosa star is a very special day for Lord Muruga. It was on this day that Lord Muruga took the sword from Mother Parvati to kill Tarakasur.
Although Thaipusam is an auspicious day for Lord Muruga, Lord Shiva should also be worshipped on that day along with Lord Muruga.
Thaipusam is the auspicious day when Lord Shiva danced in joy with his goddess Umadevi in the assembly of knowledge, Chidambaram, and gave darshan. Therefore, Thaipusam is an auspicious day for Shiva Shakti.
Vallalar attained salvation on Thaipusam. Jyothi Darshan is held on Thaipusam to show that the Lord is radiant.
On Thaipusam, devotees perform rituals such as taking Kavadi and taking a camphor pot. Festivals are held in all Murugan temples and Lord Shiva temples on this day.
This day is also celebrated as the day when Lord Vayu, Lord Varuna and Lord Agni realized the immense power of Lord Shiva. That is, this auspicious day is the day when Lord Shiva realized that He is the power that controls nature.
It is an age-old custom to go on a pilgrimage to the six houses of Lord Murugan.
Theppa Utsavam is held in temples on Thaipusam. That is, the god in the temple is taken in a chariot and taken around the village in a procession.
As the proverb says, “Whatever is touched on Thaipusam day, it is broken,” people perform good deeds such as opening a book, solving riddles, reading a book, piercing the ears and nose of a girl child, starting marriage talks, and making any kind of agreement.
On Thaipusam day, they take the offerings made to Lord Muruga as Kavadis and go on a walk and offer them to Lord Muruga and perform puja.
How did the custom of taking Kavadis for Lord Muruga come about?
We have all heard the saying, “Wherever there is a hill, there is a child.” Two hills are the reason why we take Kavadis.
Sage Agastya had a disciple named ‘Idumban’. Once, Agasthiyar called Idumbana and told him to go to Kailai and bring two mountains, ‘Sivagiri’ and ‘Chandragiri’, which are the forms of Shiva Shakti in Kandamalai, the mountain of Murugan, which are required for worship.
Accepting the order of the Guru, Idumbana sets out for Kandamalai. He ties the two mountains into a kavadi to make it easier to carry them and sets out carrying them on his shoulders.
Seeing this, Lord Muruga begins his game. Muruga comes to the conclusion that the two mountains should be settled in Thiruvavinankudi. He also thought that he should bless Idumbana as well.
When Idumbana, who was carrying these two mountains, stood in the middle, unable to find his way, Muruga, who had taken on the appearance of a king, tells Idumbana to take him to Aavinkudi and rest for a while.
Idumban also put down the Kavadi and took a rest and when he was leaving, he was unable to lift the Kavadi. When he looked around to see why he was unable to lift the Kavadi, he saw a boy standing on Sivagiri with a stick in his hand. Idumban also begged the boy to come down from the mountain. But the boy said, “This mountain belongs to me.”
An angry Idumban tried to attack the boy, but Idumban fell down. Knowing this, Agasthiyar prayed to Murugan and blessed Idumban. He also appointed Idumban as his guardian deity. From that day on, the habit of offering Kavadi to Murugan was formed.
Therefore, after the request is fulfilled, devotees offer Kavadi to Murugan and fulfill their vow.
Thaipusam Fasting:
On Thaipusam, one wakes up early in the morning, takes a bath, wears holy water and Rudraksha and worships Lord Shiva. Then one recites the Thevaram and Thiruvasakam.
On Thaipusam, one can eat milk and fruits for all three meals without eating. If one observes the Thaipusam fast that is suitable for Lord Muruga, poverty will be removed and wealth and prosperity will occur. Moreover, sorrows will be removed and happiness will increase.
On Thaipusam, performing puja to the field. Performing abhishekam to the field, and performing architrave and worshipping the field with red flowers can give great results.
On this day, observing a fast to Lord Muruga, performing puja to Lord Muruga at home, and visiting the places of Lord Muruga near the house can remove all the evils. Especially, Tuesday removes the evils and brings increased happiness.
Thaipusam is celebrated by devotees of Lord Muruga as a day of offering. Whatever fruits, rice, vegetables, etc. are harvested and carried on kavadis to offer them to the Lord.
Benefits of Thaipusam Fasting:
If you fast and worship Lord Murugan on Thaipusam, your wishes will come true. Also, wealth will increase in the family, and unity and affection between husband and wife will increase.
By worshipping the work of Lord Murugan on this day, evil spirits will not harm us. Also, if you observe the fast on this day, poverty will be removed and wealth will increase.
Since the star of Brihaspati, the Guru of the gods, is Poosam, worshipping the Guru on Thaipusam is very beneficial.
By visiting the Abhishekam of Lord Murugan in Palani on Thaipusam, all our sins will be forgiven.
Those who are barred from marriage and those who are looking for a groom can find a good groom if they search for a groom on the auspicious day of Thaipusam.
If we offer kavadi to Lord Muruga in Palani on the day of Thaipusam, no evil force, witchcraft, sorcery, or evil spirits will come near us.
