Today I would like to write something about Thaipusam.Yes, Thaipusam the grand celebration to Lord Muruga that will be celebrated by millions of Hindus through out the world on 7 Feb 2012.I will also involved in this holly celebration.Not carrying the Kavadi but I render in different service by singing his praise and accompany the Kavadis.I do belong to a well know Muruga devotee family from Johor Bahru by the name of our patron the late "Madavan Pusari", my Grandfather.We are in this service for decade and now its already touch the third generation and I am happy to see the tradition still going on and wish its will still go through many more generation to come.Hopping like me my daughter and son will carry on to participate in this service to the holly feet of Lord Muruga once a year in conjunction of Thaipusam festival.
The main thing in Thaipusam is Kavadi.You can see during the celebration the devotee will carry this kavadi with beautiful decorations.Its take a lot of patience to do and fix one especially the big Kavadi.
Lets look how the origin of Kavadi came to place and its always associated with the mount Palani in India of cause (Palani Malai).
Sage Agistia want to take two Sivagiri ad Sakthigiri to his abode in the south and commission his assuran disciple Idumban to carry them.Idmban is one of the very few asuran survivor of the Suransuran war between Murugan's forces and those of Surapadman.After surviving the war he had repented and become a devotee of Lord Murugan.
At this stage Subramania or Muruga had just bee outwitted by his brother Ganesa in a contest for going around the world and he was still smarting over the matter.Ganesa had wont a price fruit (The Janna-Pazham or fruit of knowledge) by simply going around his parents.Long after this Subramania came sitting on his peacock to find that the price had already bee given away.In anger he vowed to leave his home and family and came down to Tiru Avinankudi at the Adivaram (Meaning foot of the Sivagiri hill). Siva pacified him by saying that Subramaya himself was the fruit (Pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge.Hence the place was called Pazham-Nee (You are the fruit) or Palani.Later he withdraw to the hill and settled there as a recluse in space and solitude.
Idumban bore the hill slung across his shoulder in a form of a Kavadi,one in each side.When he reach Palani and felt fatigued,he place the Kavadi to take rest.When Idumban resume his journey.he found that he could not lift the hill.Murugan had made it impossible for Idumban to carry it.Upon the hill top the great asuran spotted a little boy wearing only kaupeenam and demanded that he vacate at once so he(Idumban) could proceed with his task.The boy,who was yet in a fighting mood refused.In the fierce battle which ensued,Idumban was slain but was later restored to life.
Idumban belatedly recognise the boy as non other than his istha devata Murugan and pray to him that :
1) Whose ever carried on his shoulder the Kavadi,signifying the two hill and visited the temple on a vow should be blessed.
2) He should be given the privilege of standing sentinel at the entrance to the hill.
Hence we have a Idumban shrine half-way up the hill where every pilgrim is expected to offer obeisance to Idumban before entering the temple of Dendayuthapai Swami.Since then Pilgrims to Palani bring their offering on their shoulders in a Kavadi.The custom has spread from Palani to all Murugan shrine.
Murugan in his aspect as as Lord Dendayuthapani stand for tyagam or renunciation.Eschewing all wordily possessions,the only apparel he has chosen to retain is loincloth called Kaupeenam.But his bhaktas never tire of offering him costly garments and enriching his wardrobe with luxurious royal clothes which are use to adorn him when his devotee yearn to see the Lord in the gesture of the King.For indeed,his state is that of a Swami or sovereign Lord.
2 comments:
May Lord murugan bless us all.Vel Vel
thanks for sharing
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