History of Vaikasi Visakam Festival

Vaikasi Visakam is the birthday of Lord Subramanya Swamy or Muruga. Muruga was one among the two sons of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Vaikasi is the second month in the Tamil calendar, while Visakam is the sixteenth nakshatra among the 27 nakshatras. Muruga epitomizes courage, wisdom, and wealth. He has many names - Senthil, Kumaran, Subramanyam, and Arumugham. Vaikasi Visakam 2021 is on May 25.

 

Behind Vaikasi Visakam is a famous legend. The Hindu Puranas say that there were three Asura (demon) brothers, Soorapadman, Singamuhan, and Tarakan, who attained great powers and boons from Lord Shiva by performing rigorous penance. Soon, they began to trouble the Devas, who pleaded with Shiva for help. So Shiva opened his Third Eye, and from it came six sparks of fire. Agni (god of fire) and Vayu (god of air), along with the Devas carried these sparks to the Ganga. She, in turn, carried them to a stream called Saravana Poigai. After being immersed in the stream, the fire sparks turned into six divine male infants who were cared for by six young maidens called Karthigai Pengal. Goddess Parvathi merged the infants into one, and an infant with six faces and twelve hands came into being. He was none other than Muruga or Shanmugan (one with six faces). He was born on the full moon day (Pournami or Purnima) in the month of Vaikasi. Muruga embodies pure perception and divine knowledge.

 

Murugan took birth for the special purpose of destroying evil forces. With the divine Vel, a weapon given to him by Goddess Parvati, Muruga fought the demons and vanquished them. Later, at the request of Soorapadman’s wife, Muruga agreed to release her husband. He turned the demons into his flag (Seval Kodi- the flag with a cock emblem) and vehicle - peacock (Mayilvahanam). The battle took place in Thiruchendur. During the battle, the demon, Tharakasura, was slain in Tirupporur near Chennai. To celebrate this event, Lord Indra arranged the marriage of his daughter Deivanai with Murugan. 

Hence, Vaikasi Visakam is observed at Murugan Temples in India as well as abroad to celebrate Muruga’s victory over the Asuras as well as the god’s birthday. The day is celebrated grandly in Tamil Nadu, as Lord Murugan is the patron deity of Tamils. People take out processions to Muruga temples and carry milk pots. The milk is later used to do ‘abishekam’ at the temples. Some devotees also observe vrat or fast and consume only milk or fruits. Chanting Mantras and singing hymns praising Muruga are part of the festivities. Prasad will be distributed among the devotees once the rituals are over. 

One should wake up in the morning and take a bath on this day. One can also observe a fast on Vaikasi Visakam day. Spicy food has to be avoided, but fruits and milk can be consumed. Devotees visit temples to take part in special Poojas and other rituals. Some devotees carry milk pots called ‘Pal Kudam’, and the milk is later used to perform Abishekam for the idol. Many devotees also walk a long distance to the temple from their homes. The temple chariot is also taken in a grand procession on the streets.

At many temples, the 10-day Brahmotsavam festival will be held on this day. The celestial wedding of Muruga and Valli is also performed on this occasion at temples. Supposedly, it is very auspicious to conduct or see this wedding as it is believed to resolve marital problems. Special offerings include milk, honey, fruits, and cooked delicacies. After performing Homa and aarti for Muruga, prasad is distributed. 

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