Thaipusam is a Hindu festival which mainly celebrated by the Tamil community. This is a celebration which intents for the second son of the Lord Shiva, Subramanian. It is celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month ‘Thai’. The meaning of ‘Thaipusam’ is that ‘Thai’ is the Tamil month and the word ‘pusam’ refers to a star that is at its highest position and brightness during the festival.
There are two different stories behind the festival of ‘Thaipusam’. The origin of this festival is can be classified as the birth of Lord Murugan, the Tamil god of war and youngest son of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati. But this can be a misconception among some people as there is believe also about Vaighasi Vishakam, which falls in the Vaighasi month, is Lord Murugan's birthday.
However, the victory of Murugan over the evil demon Soorapadman is widely accepted as the reason for this festival by the southern Indians who worship Lord Murugan. The origin goes back to the legend of the demon Soorapadman who was protected against death from the hands of mortals and deities alike. Because he felt invincible, he soon started distressing those he reckoned weak. The Devas were unable to resist the assault of the Soorapadman. In anguish, they come within reach of Lord Shiva and surrender to him in order to protect themselves from Soorapadman. Lord Shiva granted their request by creating the enormous warrior, Skanda, with his power or Achintya Shakti. Skanda or Lord Murugan defeated Soorapadman and that day known as ‘thaipusam’.
Many Hindus believe that Lord Subramaniam is a universal dispenser of favors. Hence, many of his devotees who made vows and pledges to Lord Subramaniam verify their gratefulness to him by undergoing self-mortification on Thaipusam day.
Happy Thaipusam, Vel Vel Vetri Vel!
This post written by C.N.S.VANI
0Response to "Thaipusam"
Post a Comment