The Hindu festival of Vaikasi Visakam honors Lord Muruga, who is the patron god of Tamil Hindus. The full moon day or Purnima in Vaikasi month, which coincides with Visakam Nakshatra (star), is Vaikasi Visakam. Lord Muruga’s Janma Nakshatra or birth star is Visakam.
Vaikasi Visakam is not only a significant day for Hindus but also Buddhists. For Shaivite Hindus, it is Muruga’s birthday, as Muruga is Lord Shiva’s son. Vaishnavites celebrate Periyalwar’s Jayanti on this day, and for Buddhists, it is the day of Buddha’s Maha samadhi.
Vaikasi Visakam 2022 is on June 12. The festival is celebrated in all the southern states – Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telengana.
The Legend behind Muruga’s Birth
Muruga’s birth was to establish Dharma on earth and destroy Adharma. Lord Vishnu, too, has taken many avatars for this purpose.
Once, there lived a demon or Asura called Tarakasura. He did penance and managed to please Lord Brahma. Brahma gave him the boon he wanted – which was that only the son of Lord Shiva could kill him. The crafty demon knew that Shiva had become a Vairagi – someone who had forsaken all material and worldly pleasures – after the death of his wife, Sati. He had also undertaken a deep meditation from which no one dared to arouse him, as his anger was well known. So, Tarakasura felt secure in the notion that Shiva would never remarry and have children.
This sense of invincibility made him arrogant. Along with his brothers, Soorapadman and Simhamukhan, he began to harass the denizens of the 3 worlds. He overran heaven, and the devas or demigods became his slaves. Unable to endure his tyranny, they decided to seek Lord Shiva’s help. But first, he had to be awakened from his meditation.
Meanwhile, Sati was reborn as Parvati and was determined to marry Shiva. Kama, the god of love, was roped in to distract Shiva and wake him up. Unfortunately, Shiva became furious and reduced him to ashes by opening his 3rd eye. It took Rathi’s (Kama’s wife) intervention to restore his life. Eventually, Shiva married Parvati, and the countdown to Tarakasura’s death began.
Shiva released 6 sparks of fire from his 3rd eye. They were carried by Vayu (Wind god) and Agni (Fire God) to the Ganges river. The Ganga sent them on to Saravana Poigai (lake).
The sparks turned into 6 divine infants, each lying on a lotus in the lake. The six Karthigai Pengal (maidens) took care of them. Their names are Siva, Sambhuti, Preeti, Sannati, Anasuya, and Ksama. Goddess Parvati embraced the 6 children, and they became one child, who had 6 faces and 12 hands. Thus, Lord Murugan was born. He has many names like Skanda, Subramanya, Karthikeya, Senthil, Kumaran, Guhan, Arumughan, Shanmughan, etc.
Skanda Shasti is the festival that celebrates Muruga’s victory in the battle against the asuras. The battle lasted 6 days. Muruga was the commander-in-chief of the gods’ army and fought with great courage on the battlefield.
Muruga is known as Arumughan as he has 6 faces. They enable him to see in all directions at the same time, including heaven and Patala. His 6 heads stand for 6 attributes – Jnana (knowledge and wisdom), Vairagya (detachment), Bala (strength), Keerthi (fame), Shree (wealth), and Aishwarya (divine powers).
Why is Vaikasi Visakam Significant?
Muruga represents courage, wisdom, and wealth. By worshipping him, we can get rid of the negative forces in our life. It is believed that the gods can be easily appeased on their birthday if we perform special rituals for them. Devotees visit Muruga temples and perform
Vaikasi Visakam Pooja and Homa to Muruga so that he will bless them and grant them their wishes.
Vaikasi Visakam Rituals
Devotees perform special Poojas at home. They also visit Muruga temples to take part in Poojas and Homas. It is also the practice to go in procession to Muruga temples while carrying Paal Kudams (milk pots) and do Milk Abishekam for Muruga. Another important ritual is to carry kavadis on their shoulders, along with the offerings.
The 6 most important Muruga temples in Tamil Nadu are known as Aru Padai Veedu, and they host grand celebrations on this auspicious day. The temples are at Palani, Thiruchendur, Swamimalai, Thirupparamkundram, Thiruthani, and Pazhamudircholai.
Muruga’s Attributes
Muruga emerged as a popular deity in Tamil Nadu during the Sangam era (3 B.C to 4 B.C). In the Thirumurugatruppadai, an ancient devotional poem by Nakeerar, he is described as the God of Eternal Youth. Muruga had great strength and many skills. He was perfection personified, as he was very brave and intelligent and also skilled in the art of war.
Festivals Honoring Muruga
There are many festivals that honor Muruga. Sharad Purnima or Kumara Purnima in Odisha is on the full moon day after Vijayadashami. Unmarried girls worship him on this day to get handsome grooms.
Another festival is Thaipusam. Supposedly, Goddess Parvati presented a lance or Vel to Murugan on this day to defeat Tarakasura.
Skanda Sashti is celebrated in honor of Muruga on the sixth day of Shukla Paksha (bright lunar fortnight) of Aippasi (October – November) month. It was on this day that he killed Tarakasura.