THAIPUSAM CAVADEE FAQs- What is Thaipusam ? Thaipusam is a combination of two words, namely Thai and Pusam. Thai is a Tamil month starting mid-January till mid-february and Pusam is a ‘Nakshatra’ or constellation, it can also mean a star. So, when the star Pusam shines bright during the month of Thai, it is said that the effects of worship, penance and spiritual observances are amplified by the subtle natural conditions created in the environment through the effect of the celestial alignment. Thaipusam also usually coincides with the full moon or days around the full moon. It is on this very same day, according to Puranams (sacred texts describing divine stories and plays) that Lord Muruga received his Vel (spear) from his Mother Parvati to dispel darkness and ignorance and ignite spiritual illumination. Thaipusam is considered very auspicious by Tamilian Hindus to seek Lord Muruga and receive his grace. Lord Muruga’s energy is said to flow more abundantly on such auspicious days and one’s attention and energy should be solely devoted into tuning to that divine powerful energy. 2. How is the Thaipusam observed? The main idea of Thaipusam is to intensify spiritual practices and worship Lord Muruga. It is to be understood here that any form of worshipping Muruga is acceptable when done with devotion and sincerity. The traditional forms of worship include offerings of flowers, incense, and food, the Abhishekam (sacred ablutions with Milk, Honey, Sugar, Fruit juices, rose water, tender coconut water, Sandalwood paste, Vibhuti etcc) and singing devotional and sacred hymns. In Mauritius and many countries constituting the Indian diaspora, the main form of worshipping Lord Muruga during Thaipusam is through collective penance, by carrying a Cavadee. Usually a ten day period of strict fasting is observed prior to the Thaipusam day. This allows devotees to balance themselves physically and spiritually to receive the maximum benefit of the Thaipusam. On the day of Thaipusam, devotees gather by a river side, take a ritual bath, recite prayers that invoke Lord Muruga’s presence and energy and lift their Cavadee in a procession towards a Kovil, (Tamil Hindu Temple). At the Kovil, the items carried on the Cavadee are offered to the lord and when the holy ablutions of the Lord are completed, a grand offering of Lamps is performed, known as Maha Deepa Aradhanai. 3. What is a Cavadee? A Cavadee is a wooden structure to which items used for the Abhishekam are tied and the whole structure is carried on one’s shoulders. This initial wooden structure has evolved from a simple rod towards modern huge heavily decorated structures. It is to be noted that a traditional Cavadee remains a simple wooden rod, on which a semi-circular frame is mounted and decorated with fresh flowers, fragrant herbs, peacock feathers and small decorative bells. The items to be carried as offerings to the lord are tied to the Cavadee and carried in a procession to the temple. Another way of carrying the Abhishekam items is to carry them on the head in a pot; this is known as the Paal Kudam (translating to a ‘Pot filled with Milk’). The most popular item offered to Lord Muruga is Milk. Carrying the Cavadee is a very ancient practice tracing its roots to Southern parts of India where it is particularly popular in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Tamil Indian immigrants have proudly kept alive this tradition of worshipping Muruga by carrying the Cavadee, when they landed in Mauritius. Today, the Thaipusam Cavadee is one of the National Festivals of Mauritius with thousands of people participating across the island. By Devaraj Shankara Moothoosamy Cultural Secretary Arulmigu Sri Siva Subramanya Thirukovil, Q-Bornes (Kovil Montagne) Kovil Managed by the Hindoo Tamulall Siva Soopramanien Benevolent Society
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 05:11:46 +0000
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