Indian Newslink January 15 2018 Digital Edition

JANUARY 15, 2018
16 Communitylink
Tamilians prepare for Thai Poosam in New Zealand
Mangere Temple in Auckland plans 11-day Festival
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
Thiru Subramaniyar Temple
of the Hindu Temple
Society of New Zealand
located at 69 Tidal Road in
Mangere, Auckland has planned
a 11-day Festival to observe ‘Thai
Poosam,’ one of the most important
events in the Tamil Calendar.
Although ‘Thai Poosam’ is
actually celebrated on January 31,
2018, the Temple has decided to
pay obeisance to Lord Murugan,
the Presiding Deity with the tying
of ‘Kanganam,’ on January 21, 2018
with nightly prayers from 7 pm.
Symbol of Determination
‘Kanganam’ is a thread tied to
a Deity or on the right hand of a
devotee as a sort of penance and as
a representation of determination.
In this context, Devotees of Lord
Murugan vow to serve their God
through ‘Kavadi,’ a ceremonial
dance performed especially in
observance of Thai aPoosam.
Some devotees consider it as a
ceremonial sacrifice and pierce
their tongues with a sharp spear,
representing the ‘Vel’ of Lord
Murugan. This practice is discouraged
in New Zealand.
Daily Rites
Thiru Subramaniyar Temple
will celebrate Thai Poosam with
recitations of excerpts from
various Tamil religious and
literary texts (such as ‘Thiruvasagam,’
‘Devaram,’ and ‘Skanada
Mangal Arti for Lord Murugan during
Thai Poosam Festival
Puranam.’). Hundreds of men,
women and children will attend
the celebrations.
The Temple will observe January
27, 2018 as ‘Thai Poosam Day,’ will
witness prayers, Mangal Arti and
Maha Prasad in the morning and a
procession of Lord Murugan with
his consorts Devayani and Valli, in
the form of ‘Urchavamurthi.’
The Temple will also observe the
actual ‘Thai Poosam’ on January
31, 2018 with Abhishekams and
other rituals.
The Observance
‘Thaipusam’ or ‘Thaipoosam’ is
a Hindu festival celebrated mostly
by the Tamil community on the
Full Moon during the Tamil month
of ‘Thai’ (January/February).
It is mainly observed in countries
where there is asignificant
presence of Tamil community
including Australia, Canada, Caribbean,
Guadeloupe, Guyana, India,
Jamaica, Malaysia, Myanmar,
New Zealand, Réunion, Indonesia,
Singapore, Singapore, South Africa,
Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand,
Trinidad and Tobago, and United
States of America.
The word ‘Thaipusam’ is a
combination of the name of the
month, ‘Thai,’ and the name of a
star ‘Pusam’ (or ‘Poosam’). This
Star is at its highest point during
the festival.
The Festival commemorates the
occasion when Goddess Parvathi
gave Lord Murugan a ‘Vel’ (Spear)
to vanquish the evil demon
Soorapadman.
It is believed that ‘Thai Poosam’
marks Lord Murugan’s Birthday.
Some other sources suggest that
‘Vaikhasi Vishakam,’ which falls in
the ‘Vaikhasi’ month (May/June), is
Murugan’s Birthday.
Conflict with Demon
This Festival was created during
one of the battles between the
‘Asuras’ (Demons), specifically
Soorapadman, and the Devas.
At one point, the latter were
defeated several times by the
former.
The Devas were unable to resist
the onslaught of the Asura forces.
In despair, they approached Lord
Shiva and entreated to give them
an able leader under whose heroic
leadership they might obtain victory
over the Asuras.
They surrendered themselves
completely and prayed to Lord
Shiva, who granted their request
by creating the mighty warrior,
‘Skanda,’ out of his own power or
‘Achintya Shakti.’
‘Urchavamuthi’ Lord Murugan with Devayani and Valli
(Pictures supplied)
He at once assumed leadership
of the celestial forces, inspired
them and defeated the Asuras.
The day is commemorated as
‘Thaipusam.’
Shaivam Principles
‘Skanda Puranam,’ the legend of
Lord Murugan, and ‘Thirupugazh,’
which are divine verses on
the Lord, adhere to Shaivam
principles.
Lord Murugan is the embodiment
of Lord Shiva’s light and wisdom
and devotees pray to Him to
overcome the obstacles they face,
as He is the divine vanquisher of
evil. The motive of Thaipusam
festival is to pray to God to receive
His grace so that bad traits are
destroyed.
‘Thai Poosam’ is observed as a
public holiday in Tamil Nadu, Sri
Lanka and some parts of Malaysia.
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