Topic started by R.Sri Hari (@ cache4.lankacom.net) on Sun Jan 19 13:17:35 .
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"SIGNIFICANCE OF “THAI PUSAM - SIVA VALIPAADU"
Today is "Thai Pusam" Valipaadu day.
Among the many Siva Valipaaduhal coming in each month of a year and observed by the Tamils Saivites in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere, the one which falls in the Tamil month of Thai (15th of January to 14th of February) is the "Thai Pusam" which is sacred to God Siva.
Pusam is the eigth star (Natchaththiram) among the twenty seven stars in the Hindu astrological system. The Pusam Natchaththiram which falls in the month of Thai very often with the full moon day (Mulu Nilaa = Paurnami), is taken as the "Thai Pusam" Valipaadu day.
The "Thai Pusam" is essentially a Siva Valipaadu which originated in Tamil Nadu, and not known in the other regions of India.
The earliest known reference to this Valipaadu is found in the Tamil Thirumurai containing the Thevara pathikams of two, of the four foremost great Tamil Saiva Saints (Nayanmars) of Tamil Nadu, namely the Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Thirunavukkarasar of the mid seventh century (around A.D.650) Tamil Nadu, a worship probably coming down for many years from a time long before mid seventh century.
The Tamil Saiva Saint Thirugnanasambanthar of Tamil Nadu, has sung a Thevara pathikam (pathikam - a collection of ten verses) in the name of God Siva at Thiruvidai-Maruthur. In this pathikam a verse refers to the "Thai Pusam" Valipadu conducted in a big way during his time at the Thiruvidai-Maruthur Siva Temple, located in between the present Mayavaram and Kumbakonam in the Thanjavur district on the south bank of the Kaveri river flowing through this region.
The verse under reference is as follows:
"Varunthiya Ma-thavaththor Vaanor Enor vanthu eendi
porunthiya Thai Pusam aadi ulakam polivu eitha
thirunthiya naan maraiyor seeral eaththa Idai-Maruthil
porunthiya koyile koyilakap pukkire"
(2nd Thirumurai – pathikam 56 – verse 5)
The other great Tamil Saiva Saint of Tamil Nadu namely the Saint Thirunaavukkarasar who was living in the same period as the Saint Thirugnanasambanthar - too have referred to this Valipaadu in one of his Thevara pathikam on God Siva of Thiruvidaimaruthur Temple, in which he says that this festival was celebrated with the pilgrims having sacred bath in the river Kaveri flowing adjacent to this temple.
This is indicated in the following verse:
"Pasam ontrul ilaraai pala paktharkal
Vasa naan malar kondu adi vaikalum
Eesan em peruman Idai-Maruthinil
Pusa(m) naam pukuthum punalaadave"
(5th Thirumurai – pathikam 14 – verse 1)
{Note: “punal adal” = water bath, similer to “neer adal” = water bath. In both cases “adal” = bath}
The importance of the sacred bath in the Kaveri river at Thiruvidai-Maruthur is also referred to by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar in his another pathikanm on Thiruvidai-Maruthur.
He refers to same as follows:
"Vasam Kamal mamalar cholaiyil vande
Thesam pukunthu eendiyor semmai udaiththai
Pusam pukunthaadi polintha alakaya
Eesan uraikintra Idai-Maruthu itho"
(1st Thirumurai - 32nd pathikam - 5th verse).
{Note: Here “adi” refers to bathing}
The principal deity of this temple is named "Mahalinga" and the annual festival of "Thai Pusam" was celebrated on the Pusam Natchththiram day in a very big way. The significance of "Thai Pusam" Valipaadu and its connection with Thiruvidai-Maruthur Siva temple is also gleaned from the pathikams of both Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Thirunavukkarasar.
These are as seen below:
"…….Kallaal nilal keel vaada mulai mangaiyum thaanum makilnthu
eeda uraikintra Idai-Maruthu itho"
(1st Thirumurai - 32nd pathikam - 1st verse)
"……Inai ilaa Idai-Ma Maruthil elu
panaiyil Akamam sollum than paangikke"
(5th Thirumurai - 15th pathikam - 4th verse)
"……Arunthava Munivarodu Aal nilal keel
Irunthavan valanagar Idai-Maruthe"
(1st Thirumurai – 110th pathikam – 1st verse}
From the above three references it clearly appears the origin of "Thai Pusam" worship has some connection with the occurrence of God Siva revealing the Akamas (Agamas) to the four Munivars under Kallala tree.
The "Thai Pusam" Valipaadu continued in subsequent periods too at the Thiruvidai-Maruthur Siva temple and is evidenced by two Tamil inscriptions of the period of king Paranthaha Chola – 1 (A.D.905-947) on the walls of this temple, which records the gifts made to this temple by two individuals to meet the needs especialy to conduct the "Thai Pusam" festival.
Futher Saint Thirugnanasambandar has also referred to this "Thai Pusam" Valipaadu in a verse in his Poompavai pathikam sung on God Siva at Kapaleeswarer temple at Mylapur (Mylapore in the present Chennai).
The contents of the verse is as follows:
"Mai pusu onkan mada nallaar Ma Mayilai
Kai pusu neetran Kapaleechcharam amarnth-than
Nei pusu ven pulukkal nerilaiyar kondadum
Thai Pusam kaanaathe pothiyo poompaavaai"
(2nd Thirumurai – 47th Pathikam – 5th verse)
Even today the "Thai Pusam" festival is conducted in a big way at Thiruvidai-Maruthur Siva Temple, and also in other temples in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere as Valipaadu sacred to God Siva.
Also traditions hold that it is also considered holy to have a sacred bath on the "Thai Pusam" day at the Thaamiraparani river in the Thirunelveli district.
The worship of God Muruga too finds much importance in this "Thai Pusam" day, and is celebrated in the Palani temple in Tamil Nadu in a large scale.
The Murugan Worship on "Thai Pusam" day is conducted in Tamilnadu, Sri Lanka, and in a very big way in Malaysia & Singapore. Thaipusam Festival is considered as one of the national festivals in Malaysia & Singapore.
The following are references to the "Thai Pusam" festivals as celebrated in Malaysia & Singapore - taken from the relevent Websites.
Thai Pusam in Malaysia:
To the north of KL is a massive limestone outcrop containing a vast complex of mysterious caves, known generally as the Batu Caves. The lofty Main Cave has become a Hindu temple, with ornate and highly detailed portraits and elaborate statues of Hindu deities. Access to these awesome caves is via a steep flight of 272 steps.
Every year in January or February the Batu Caves become the focus of vast gathering of hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees celebrating Thaipusam.
From Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur devotees follow a silver chariot carrying the statue of Lord Muruga which wends its way through KL to arrive at Batu Caves.
Thaipusam is a festival from Tamil Nadu associated with penance and atonement. Celebrations are carried out at important temples in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang.
To the uninitiated Thaipusam is a stunning, totally unexpected assault on the senses. Hair-raising sights of human bodies covered in hooks which anchor huge kavadis (ritualistic yokes) balanced on heads and cheeks pierced with small spears, wooden tongues and arrows. The most elaborate kavadis can weigh as much as 80 pounds, a platform ornately decorated with peacock feathers.and other decorations, even plastic statues.
Courtesy: Homepages.Enterprise.Net
Thai Pusam in Singapore:
Witness the faith, devotion and religious fervour of Hindu devotees at this dramatic festival. On this day, the birthday of Lord Murugan, devotees pierce their tongues with skewers and carry "kavadis" (a semi-circular metal structure) on their shoulders as a mark of thanksgiving and penance.
Other devotees pull chariots with their bare bodies while spikes and hooks are embedded in their backs. Look closely and be awed that no blood is drawn and the entranced devotees feel no pain as they walk the three-kilometre route to the chanting and encouragement of families and friends. The procession starts from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road, Little India and ends at the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple at Tank Road. At the end of the pilgrimage, devotees experience a sense of peace and joy while visitors marvel at the power of faith.
Courtesy : IndoIndians.com
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