Thai Pusam Festival

Introduction

On the Thaipusam day, large number of devotees marches towards Murugan temples in procession carrying ‘chhatris’ (Kavadi). They proceed with dancing, beating drums and chanting ‘vel vel shakti vel’, the sound of which electrifies the procession. Some devotees pierce their tongue and cheek with ‘vel’ (small lances). Some insert hooks in their body. To show their dedication and devotion towards Lord Muruga devotees go to extrems.

Devotees offer fruits and yellow or orange colored flowers to Lord Muruga. They wear yellow or orange colored dress. These two colors are identified with Muruga. Some people carry pots of milk on their head.

Legend

A couple of legends are associated with Thai Pusam. First is that once there was a mighty demon named Tarakasuran who used to misuse of his power and gave trouble to the rishis and saints.

Tarakasura had a boon that he can be killed only by Shiva's son. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s son Kartika was called by his parents and was asked to destroy the Asur. Kartika was also named Subrahmanya, Muruga and Skanda.

Lord Muruga took the blessings of his parents and set off to destroy the demon. He carried a dozen weapons with him, eleven of which were given by his father Lord Shiva and the 'Vel' (spear) given by his mother Parvati. Lord Muruga destroyed Tharakasuran on the Poosam Nakshatra day in the Tamil month of Thai and hence Thai Poosam is celebrated in all Murugan temples.

Another legend says, when Shiva was passing on a mantra to Parvati, Lord Muruga eavesdropped on them. Parvati got annoyed by this and cursed him. To save himself from the curse, Lord Muruga offered hard sacrament at Thiruparankundram.

Parvati got pleased with his penance, Shiva and Parvati appeared before him and relieved him from the curse. The day on which the curse was removed is Thai Poosam.

It is thus a special day on which Lord Muruga or Subrahmanya is worshipped and is celebrated in a very splendid manner at all Murugan temples.

Another legend about Thaipoosam is associated with the Kavadi. It involves Lord Muruga testing the determination of Idumban, the student of Sage Agasthya.

According to another legend Lord Shiva and Parvati were involved in a celestial dance on the Thaipusam day. It is said that all the gods assembled to watch this cosmic dance.

According to another myth, River Kaveri was jealous of River Ganga because of getting so much of importance - especially with Ganga getting a place in the veil of Lord Shiva. She prayed to Lord Vishnu and it is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared before her on Thaipoosam day.

Recipes

Panakam

Ingredients:

Jaggery : 200gm

Dry Ginger Powder or Fresh ginger : 2 tsp

cardomom powder : ½ tsp

Juice of 1 lemon

Method:

Melt the jaggery in ½ cup of water. Strain to remove dirt. Boil it. After cooling add 4 cups of water, lemon juice, ginger powder and cardamom powder or small pieces of ginger and blend it in the blender to extract the juice. Strain and add to the panakam.

Cool and serve.

Payar Thoran

Ingredients:

Payar (long beans) finely chopped 2 cups

Salt as per taste

Turmeric ¼ tsp

Green Chilly 3-4

Garlic 3-4 cloves

Coconut Oil 1 tbsp

Mustard Seeds 1 tsp

Urad Dal 1 tsp

Curry Leaves 1 sprig

Coconut (shredded) 1/2 cup

Method:

Mince garlic and green chilly together. Mix shredded coconut with minced garlic, green chilly and turmeric. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and urad dal. When mustard seeds crackle, add curry leaves and fry for a few seconds. Add chopped Payar to pan along with 1 cup of water and cook on medium heat. When almost done, add salt and coconut-mix and mix well and cook till beans are done and water is fully evaporated.

Time to celebrate

Thai Pusam in Tamil Nadu is celebrated each year on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai which falls in the month of January/February of the English Calendar.