Vaikasi Visakam 2023 is a Hindu festival that is observed to celebrate Murugan’s birthday. It occurs during Visakam Nakshatra in Vaikasi month, which is the second month in the Tamil calendar. Vaikasi Visakam comes between May and June.
Vaikasi Visakam 2023 is dedicated to Muruga. On this day, he supposedly appeared on earth. This year, Vaikasi Visakam 2023 falls on the 3rd of June.
Vaikasi Visakam is very important for the Tamil community, as Muruga is the patron god of Tamil Nadu. The deity is the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is also the general of the Gods’ army, who led them into battle against 3 demon brothers who were terrorizing everyone and defeated them. Muruga is also the brother of Ganesha. He is the God of war. He has many names, like Skanda, Kumara, Subramanya, and Shanmugha. Muruga has 6 faces, hence the names, Shanmukha and Arumughan.
On this auspicious day, people make it a point to visit Muruga temples and perform Abishekam with milk. They carry Paal kudam (milk pots) and Kavadi on their shoulders. There are grand celebrations at the Arupadaiveedu (6 abodes of Muruga) temples in Tamil Nadu on this auspicious occasion.
Significance of Vaikasi Visakam
Muruga was born to vanquish the 3 demons, Tarakasura, Surapadma, and Simhamukha. They were brothers who had acquired great powers due to their penance. As they had a boon by which only a son of Shiva could kill them, they felt invincible.
The reason was that Shiva had no offspring. His wife, Sati, had immolated herself after her father, Daksha, insulted Shiva. She had jumped into the sacrificial fire at his Yagna. Shiva was overcome by anger and grief. He went into a deep meditation, and no one had the courage to approach him as they were afraid that he would become angry and open his 3rd eye. As he had no children by Sati, and it did not seem possible that he would marry anyone in the near future, the demons felt emboldened. They began to harass the Gods and humans with impunity.
Finally, the Gods sent Kamadeva, the God of love, to disturb Shiva. Sati had been reborn as Parvati, and she wanted to marry Shiva. Kama sent his flower-tipped arrows at Shiva, and they struck him. He opened his 3rd eye, and Kama was burned to ashes. However, Shiva took pity on his wife, Rati, and restored him to life. As he was struck by Kama’s arrow, he fell in love with Parvati, and they got married.
Muruga was born by fusing the powers of Shiva and Parvati. He was born as 6 sparks of fire from Shiva’s 3rd eye. Vayu and Agni deposited them in the Ganga, which carried them to Saravana Poigai, where they turned into 6 babies. The babies were raised by the 6 Karthigai Pengal (Krithigai stars). After Parvati came there and embraced them, they turned into one baby with 6 faces.
Parvati gave him the divine weapon, Vel, to fight the demons. Muruga defeated all the 3 demons and their armies after several days of fierce fighting.
The demons symbolize the negativity within us – anger, greed, ego, lust, envy, etc. Vaikasi Visakam reminds us that unless we overcome these negative elements within us, we cannot become one with God.
Rituals of Vaikasi Visakam 2023
Homa and Pooja are done in temples. Priests also do Arti for Muruga.
Often, the marriage ceremony of Muruga and Valli is also performed. Devotees believe that watching this ritual can resolve all their marital problems.
How to Perform Pooja at Home
Have an early morning bath. Keep an idol/photo of Murga in the Pooja area and decorate it with flowers. Make offerings of fruits to Muruga.
Chant Subramanya Bhujangam of Adi Sankara.
Prepare sweet Pongal and offer it to Muruga. Recite hymns like Thirupughazh of Saint Arunagirinathar and Skanda Shasti Kavasam.
Offer 6 Nagalinga flowers and red oleander flowers. Worshipping Muruga on this day can remove obstacles and bring prosperity.
