The Thiru Subramaniyar Temple (69 Tidal Road, Mangere) will begin its Thaipoosam Kaavadi festival celebrations today evening (January 27), which will go on till February 5 (Sunday).
Thaipossam Kaavadi is a South Indian Tamil religious celebration where Hindus offer thanksgiving to Lord Subramaniam, often referred to as Lord Murugan (son of Shiva and the Hindu God of War). The festival, which takes place in the Tamil month of Thai starting in January and ending in February, is celebrated by millions of Tamils around the globe with huge pomp and show. The most striking part of the festival relates to the suffering people put themselves through for Lord Murugan’s blessings. Prayers are made to Lord Murugan to ask for forgiveness, recovery from an illness, or even to help a couple conceive a child. The festival is a commemoration of Murugan's victory over the evil Soorapadman.
Devotees also observe ‘Paal Kudam’ (carrying milk in an earthen pot) and ‘Kavada Festival’ (wooden stick carrying resembled carry burdens and sins of the devotee) as a part of the Thaipoosam festival.
“We would like to invite all our community members to be part of the Thaipoosam Kaavadi festival at Mangere Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam. The 10-day annual festival for presiding deity Lord Thiru Subramaniar (Murugan) will start with flag hoisting today (Friday, January 27) evening at 6.30 pm.
“This is the best way to show our children our culture and heritage. It is the time to carry all our burdens, troubles, and worries, bundle them into Kaavadi and leave it Murugan’s feet and be carefree forever," says the temple's Founder-President Ilango Krishnamoorthy.
The festival will be celebrated with complete joy and enthusiasm every day by the Tamil/Malayali Hindu community. It will culminate on Sunday, February 5, with devotees carrying paal kudam (milk vessels) and Kavadi on their shoulders and offering prayers.
"The priest at the temple will conduct special puja and abhishegam for the main deity, and we hope the temple will receive a few hundred devotees every day for the puja during the observance period." Says Krishnamoorthy.
The main event, lifting of Kaavadi, will be on Saturday (February 5) from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. According to Krishnamoorthy, those who want to lift Kaavadi or carry Paalkudam (milk vessels) should reach the temple before 9.30 am on February 5 2023. Devotees will also do the Kavadi dance in front of the deity. By 12:30 pm, the presiding deity Lord Murugan will be decorated, and Aarti will be performed. Then there will be the distribution of Mahaprasadam, fruits and other eatables.
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