Thai Poosam

Thai Poosam is an important festival dedicated to Lord Murugan or Kaarttikeya. Lord Murugan's Thai Poosam is aHindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the Full Moon day in the Tamil month of Thai [January-February]. It is celebrated by all Tamil community wherever they live. The festival is also referred to as "Thai Pooyam" or "Thaippooyam (in Malayaalam - Taippooyam). The word Thai Poosam is derived from the month name "Thai" and "Poosam" (maybe Pushya star) which refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates the occasion when Paarvatee gave Murugan a "Vel" (spear) so that he could vanquish the evil demon Shoorapadm. There is a misconception among people that Thai Poosam marks Murugan's birthday; however, it is believed that Vaikhasee Vishakam, which falls in the Vaikhasi month (May-June), is Murugan's birthday.

Kavaadee Attam
Kavaadee Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God of War. It is often performed during the festival of Thai Poosam and emphasizes debt bondage. The Kavaadee itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God Murugan. Generally, Hindu take a vow to offer a Kavaadee to idol for the purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity. For instance, if the devotee's son is laid up with a fatal disease, he would pray to Shanmug to grant the boy a lease of life in return for which the devotee would take a vow to dedicate a Kavaadee to him. Devotees prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting approximately 48 days before Thai Poosam. Kavaadee-bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the Kavaadee and at the time of offering it to Murugan. The Kavaadee-bearer observes celibacy and take only pure, Saavik food, once a day, while continuously thinking of God.

On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of Kavaadee. At its simplest, this may entail carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is also common. The simplest Kavaadee is a semicircular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders, to the temple. In addition, some have a small spear through their tongue, or a spear through the cheeks. The spear pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from speaking and gives great power of endurance.

Legends About Thai Poosam

(1) The Curse of Paarvatee on Murugan
Once Lord Shiv was telling an important Mantra to Paarvatee. Lord Murugan eavesdropped this. When Paarvatee came to know about this, she cursed Murugan. Murugan, realizing his guilt prayed for her apology. Paarvatee, pleased by this, appeared before Murugan with Shiv and forgave him. The day that Paarvatee appeared before Murugan to forgive him is celebrated as Thai Poosam.

(2) Cosmic Dance of Lord Shiv
Another legend is that Shiv and Paarvatee were involved on a cosmic dance during this period, which led to the celebration of Thai Poosam.

(3) The Kaaveree Legend
Once River Kaaveree fed up with the entire attention River Gangaa was receiving from all over the world, so she prayed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu appeared and blessed her on Thai Poosam.