Thai Poosam Kavadi

Origin & Significance

09.02.2017

Significance of Thai Poosam Kavady.

"Thai Poosam" falls every year in the Tamil month "Thai"

(January/February). Some times its falls along with full moon.
This year it falls on the 09.02.2017,Thursday Poosam Nakshathram
Begins = 10:48 on 9/Feb/2017
Poosam Nakshathram Ends = 09:40 on 10/Feb/2017.Even celebrating
the festival on 10th also acceptable.
The brightest star "Pusam "in the zodiac sign Kataka and the planet Guru
(Jupiter) is the presiding deity.
This star is also associated with saptha rishis and capable to controlling its
11 the house from kataka that is Rishibha. The inner secrect is moon own
sign is kataka ,its uccha rasi is rishibha.
During the life process The materially affected mind is the first creation
for material enjoyment. From the mind the material senses are
created: five senses for knowledge-gathering and five senses for working,
along with five airs within the body. And then panca-maha-bhuta, the five
basic material elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Then materially
affected intelligence, and finally ahankara, or false ego, the power to
misidentify one's actual, spiritual self with all these material coverings. So in
this way the atmas or jivas, spirit souls who once resided in the spiritual
world in full knowledge with bliss , are now living in ignorance with suffering .
Some of them are standing, as trees and plants. And some of them are
moving, as insects, animals, and humans. But in your so-called civilization do
you have scientific knowledge of how the soul has become bewildered by this
material covering, which actually he has nothing to do with? Then what is the
value of our knowledge? If we do not know these fundamental things, then
 what is the value of our knowledge? We are simply observing superficially,
externally.
During this excellent day sun is transiting in makara rasi and moon with the
support of pushya natchatra cleansing the ego created by self and stored
in the rishibha rasi.
The ego is like darkness, it has no positive existence. Just like darkness is
simply the absence of light, the ego is nothing but the absence of awareness.
To struggle to kill the ego is like struggling to push the darkness out of the
room. To really expel the darkness, what we need to do is to forget all about
dealing with the darkness. Focus the energy on Light instead. Just bring a
small lamp into the room, and we will find that the darkness has fled on its
own! forget all about the ego. Instead, focus on bringing a lamp of awareness
into our being. When our entire consciousness has become a flame, you will
find that the ego is no more.
The ego is an illusion. We cannot surrender it when we are unaware, because
we don't know how. Of course, we cannot surrender it when we become
aware either, because then we realize that there is nothing left to
surrender! What we have heard, read, been taught,surrender the ego in
order to attain Self-realization. Worshiping on this day helps the souls the
attain the self relaization.
The festival occurs in the month of Thai (the 10th month on the Tamil
calendar) and on the day when the moon passes through the star "Pusam".
This event is called "Thai Poosam".
This festival is one of the biggest festivals on the South India.
The Kavady prayer and penance is observed over 10 days by devotees
The Kavady procession is seen as an outward demonstration of mass devotion
to Lord Muruga.
There are various reasons for carrying the Kavady but the two main
categories are firstly to express thanks to Lord Muruga or to ask Lord
Muruga for help in overcoming from the material attachment.
Iduman, one of the disciples of Agasthiyar, was asked to bring to hills -
representing the two forces inherent in all living beings (Shiva and Shakti).
Iduman, carried these two hills with a - Kavady a beam across his shoulder
with one hill suspended on each end. Mid way through the journey he sat his
burden down in order to rest.
When he was ready to resume, he found that the hills were too heavy to pick
up. As he prepared to forcibly pick them up, he saw Lord Muruga in the way
 and he angrily asked him to move out of the way, Lord Muruga refused.
Iduman was annoyed a battle broke out between Lord Muruga and Iduman
whereby Iduman was destroyed. Lord Muruga through his eternal mercy
revived and pardoned him, a change came over Iduman and he became Lord
Murugas greatest devotee.
He carried the first Kavady out of absolute devotion to the Lord. Lord
Muruga also made Iduman his gate keeper. That is why when a devotee goes
to the famous Pazhanimalai temple one must first pray to Iduman and
then proceed to the main temple.

What is a Kavady?
It is a Tamil word meaning flattened pole with loads at the ends. The
Kavady carried in a religious procession also has a pole with a semi circular
arch. The arch is decorated with flowers and palm leaves. The loads
attached to the ends of the pole are brass vessels filled with milk or other
offerings. Peacock feathers and a Vel (spear) are also attached.

A brass pot filled with milk can also be carried for Lord Muruga as an
offering and it is called Paal Kodum. One question which is often asked by
devotees is can I fast for Kavady without carrying a Kavady. The answer to
this question is a definite YES. One does not have to only carry a Kavady to
show devotion to Lord Muruga. By observing the 10 day fast and attending
the 10 day prayer at the temple is also seen as devotion towards Lord
Muruga. Devotees please remember it is your love and devotion towards the
Lord that is important.

Why is a flag raised and a 10 day fast observed? The flag

which is raised on the first day Firstly marks the beginning of the 10 day
fast and the observance of the Kavady festival. The flag also serves as a
reminder that one should start fasting and go to the temple.

The meaning of the banner or flag: - The Sevel (Rooster)

symbolises the approach or the dawn of knowledge. It is the Sevel that
proclaims the coming of the Sun in the east. The Sun is the heavenly body
that dispels darkness. The Sevel on the banner announces the approach of
knowledge which will destroy all ignorance. The 10 day fast or sadhana is the
clearance of ones mind, body and soul. By fasting and going to temple and
 praying for 10 days devotees become spiritually charged and uplifted to
carry their Kavady.

The Vel:- Lord Murugas Vel is strong, straight and pointed, representing
our spinal cord running through the spinal column, to the top most part of
our brain, which is the highest point of knowledge. The Vel is the spear of
wisdom, penetrating the intellect, seeking ultimate reality. A deadly foe to
the arrogant, to the lower natured it affords strength and protection to the
awaken soul.

The Mayil (Peacock):- The Peacock represents his Vahana (vehicle)

symbolising his conquest over ego, vanity and pride. By Lord Muruga sitting
on the Peacock it symbolises the control he has over our pride and ego. Valli
and Dheivany the consorts of Lord Muruga. Valli is Icchashakti the power of
will and Dheivany Kryashakti power of action.

Why yellow? The ancient tribes in India started the Kavady festival by
worshipping the rising sun. They believed that the sun could provide heat and
light but symbolically it could also burn up sins and redeem devotees. They
recognized the sun as Lord Muruga. The sun was seen as a yellow colour
which is associated with Kavady. That is why devotees wear yellow for
Kavady.

TYPES OF KAVADIES:-VARIOUS KAVADIES ONE CAN CARRY

Manjal (turmeric powder)/worries and debts

Pushpa (Flowers)/ progress and success
Paal (Milk)/ Good life and prosperity
Thayier (Sour milk)/sickness
Illanier (tender coconut)/conceiving
Then (Honey)/truthfulness and honesty
Ellemichaai (Lime)/enemies
Vibhoothi (Holy ash)/blessings
Pannier (Rose water)/ wealth and progress
Ney (Ghee) liberation
 THE SIX-SYLLABLED MANTRA CHANTED FOR LORD MURUGA

OM SARAVANABAVA NAMAHA/POTRI
SA - CONFERS THE PROSPERITY OF SHAKTI
RA GIVES THE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE
VA BESTOWS HAPPINESS OF ENJOYMENT
NA PROTECT FROM ALL FORCES OF EVIL
BA CONFERS MORALITY
VA CONFERS THE LIFE OF BLESSEDNESS

The message is that Kavady offerings to Lord Muruga need not be confined
to a special day set aside for that purpose. We should mentally carry the
Kavady each and every day of our lives; that is, we should ask Gods help to
live a well balanced life at all times. Please remember that Kavady is not only
for the Tamil-speaking people but also for all Hindus. lets not segregate
rather congregate.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

OM HREEM KLEEM SHREEM SIVAYA BRAMMANAY NAMAHA