Thai Poosam Kavady

Carrying of a Kavady represents the carrying of the 2 hills of Shiva Giri and Sakthi Giri by Idumban, the first devotee of Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga, at Palani proclaimed to Idumban that any devotee who carries the Kavady and offers it at Lord Murugas feet with devotion and Faith in HIM will receive what he or she desires.

Today, the Kavady is in the form of 2 wooden or metal arches joined by a pole. Some devotees do not use the wooden or metal arches but rather carry a bamboo pole or a milk pot (Paal Kodum). Milk is attached to the Kavady or Bamboo to be carried by the devotee while he prays to Lord Muruga. The milk is then offered to Lord Muruga to be used in Abishegam or Holy Bath.

The acceptance of the milk by Lord Muruga is acknowledgement of receiving the devotees prayers by Lord Muruga. Kavady or Bamboo or Milk may be carried every day as it represents the offering of milk to the Lord for Abishegam. In South Africa, the popular festivals for Kavady are Thai Poosam, Chaitrai Paruvam and Panguni Uthiram.

Thai Poosam

Thai Poosam represents the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai. This is a very auspicous day in the Tamil Calendar as it represents the day on which Lord Muruga destroyed the demon Tarakasura. Lord Muruga was given 11 weapons by His Father Lord Shiva. His Mother Parvathi gave him his 12th weapon, The Vel. On the day of Thai Poosam, Lord Muruga destroyed Tarakasura with The Vel. Thai Poosam is therefore one of the most auspicous days to make offerings to Lord Muruga.

Flag Hoisting - Sunday, 29 January 2012, 10:00

Carnatic performance by Shree Karthiegasen Pillay Followed by Dance and Music Programs featuring Shree Pooven Pillay, Shree Sivanathan Pillay, Nadanam Dance Company, Shivohum Dance School, Nitya Rupam Dance Academy

Saturday, 4 February 2012, 15:00

Devotional Music Performance by Shree Veeramani Raju in association with Lotus FM

Thai Poosam Main Day  - Tuesday, 7 February 2012, 10:00 -

Thai Poosam Public Day - Sunday, 12 February 2012, 8:00

Prayer list

Kavady Abishegam items (Saturday 11 February 2012)

Rose water – 4 bottles, Camphor – 1 box, Oil – 1 Litre, Milk – 1 Litre, Sour Milk 1/2 Litre, Flowers and Garlands (for decorating Kavady) – Rose water will be used during the year for the Abishegam of Lord Muruga

Kavady Public Day (Sunday 12 February 2012)

Banana Leaves, 3 lime (for Kavady), 1mtr yellow cloth for waist, 2 Somboos, Milk for Somboos to be offered to the Kavady: 1 Coconut, 3 Fruit, Betel Leaf and Betel Nuts, 3 Incense Sticks, 1 block camphor

Guidelines

•Only the Kovil (Temple) Kavady is carried on the Main Day, 7 February 2012

•Devotees may offer milk in Paal Kodums on the Main Day, 7 February 2012

•All Kavady carriers are to arrive promptly at 7:00 on 12 February 2012

•The Kavady procession will start in the Temple Grounds at 8:00 on 12 February 2012 and will depart the Chinese Park at 10:30

•No parking is available on the Temple property for the entire duration of the Thai Poosam Festival

•The Abishegam for Kavadys will start daily at 11:00 on 11 February 2012. The last Abishegams will be done at 15:00 in order to allow for the Obayam to start at 16:00

•Devotees are requested to remove the garlands and flowers from their Kavadys and take these blessed items home

•The Flag Hoisting will commence immediately after Alangaram. Devotees are requested to observe this important concluding prayer

•In the presence of Lord Muruga, devotees are requested to dress conservatively and cover themselves appropriately

•Men should wear Vestis or Kurthas. Men should not wear shorts.

•Ladies should wear saries

•Do not waste Prasadham (food) – All food has been offered to Lord Muruga

•Do not litter – The Temple is the Property of Lord Muruga

•Please do not prepare food for serving devotees –this result wasting of Lord Murugas Prasadham (food)

•Please take Blessed Thiruneer (Ashes) Prasadham from the Temple

•Temple bags comprising The Melrose Temple Devotional Song Book, A Divine Legacy Book, A CD by Shree Magantheran Balakisten and Blessed Thiruneer (Ashes) are available at the Temple

Please contact the Secretary on 072 948 8031 for Obayam Bookings or the Honorary Administrator on 079 696 6445

CHANT OM SARAVANA BHAVA

Thank you to all that have supported and continue to support Melrose Muruga and The Johannesburg Melrose Shree Siva Subramaniar Temple

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Posted by Naufal Khan on Jan 25 2012. Filed under culture, events diary, news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry