BhaktiLoopVaikasi Visakam Puja
Vaikasi Visakam is one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Lord Murugan, celebrated primarily by Tamil Hindus around the world. It falls on the Visakam (Vishakha) Nakshatra (star) in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (mid-May to mid-June). This day is revered as the birthday of Lord Murugan, the divine son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and the commander-in-chief of the celestial armies. Devotees observe fasts, perform special pujas, and visit Murugan temples to commemorate this auspicious occasion. It's a day to remember Murugan's valor, wisdom, and his role as the dispeller of darkness and ignorance.
Purpose
To celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Murugan, seek his blessings for wisdom, knowledge, courage, victory over obstacles, protection from enemies, success in endeavors, spiritual growth, and a fulfilling life. It is believed that worshipping Lord Murugan on this day brings immense spiritual benefits and fulfills desires.
Key Rituals
- Purification (Shuddhi)**: Take a sacred bath early in the morning and clean the puja area. Devotees may wear clean, traditional attire.
- Setup of Deity**: Place an idol or picture of Lord Murugan (along with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, or his vahana peacock if available) on a clean altar. Adorn it with fresh flowers and garlands.
- Lamp Lighting (Deepam)**: Light traditional oil lamps (diya) – preferably with ghee or sesame oil – to invite auspiciousness.
- Sankalpam (Intention)**: Take a small amount of water in your right palm and declare your intention for performing the puja, seeking Lord Murugan's blessings.
- Ganesha Puja (Vinayagar Puja)**: Begin by invoking Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, to ensure the smooth completion of the puja.
- Kalasha Sthapanam (Optional)**: If performing an elaborate puja, a Kalasha (pot filled with water, rice, mango leaves, and a coconut) is established, representing the invoked deity.
- Invocation (Avahanam)**: Chant mantras to invoke Lord Murugan's presence into the idol/picture.
- Abhishekam (Sacred Bath)**: Offer sacred bath to the idol using various auspicious liquids like panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar), water, rose water, coconut water, turmeric water, sandalwood paste, etc. While performing Abhishekam, chant 'Om Saravanabhava Namaha' or other Murugan mantras.
- Alankaram (Decoration)**: After the bath, wipe the idol, dress it in new clothes (if applicable), adorn it with ornaments, vibhuti (sacred ash), kumkum, and fresh flowers.
- Archana (Offering Flowers)**: Offer flowers (pushpam) and Bilva leaves to the deity while chanting the 108 or 1008 names of Lord Murugan (Ashtottarashatanamaavali or Sahasranamaavali).
- Dhoopam (Incense) & Deepam (Lamp)**: Offer fragrant incense sticks and wave a ghee lamp in front of the deity.
- Naivedyam (Food Offering)**: Offer prasad (food offerings) to Lord Murugan. This typically includes sweets, fruits, milk, and special dishes like payasam, vada, or pongal. Offer water for washing hands (Achamanam) before and after food.
- Mantra Chanting & Stutis**: Recite powerful Murugan mantras, Skanda Shashti Kavacham, Subramanya Bhujangam, Tiruppugazh, or other devotional hymns dedicated to Lord Murugan.
- Arati (Waving of Lamps)**: Perform Arati by waving a lamp (camphor or ghee lamp) in a circular motion in front of the deity, accompanied by devotional songs.
- Pradakshina (Circumambulation)**: Circumambulate the altar or puja area clockwise, offering prayers.
- Prasadam Distribution**: Distribute the offered Naivedyam as 'prasadam' to family members and other devotees.
- Donations & Charity**: Many devotees engage in charity, offering food or clothing to the needy on this auspicious day.
Common Offerings
Flowers (especially red flowers like hibiscus, oleander, lotus, jasmine)
Fruits (banana, mango, pomegranate)
Panchamrit (mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
Milk, curd, honey, ghee
Sandalwood paste (chandanam)
Kumkum (vermilion)
Vibhuti (sacred ash)
Betel leaves and areca nuts
Incense sticks (dhoop)
Camphor (karpur)
Sweets (Ladoo, Modak, Payasam, Pongal)
Savory items (Vada, Sundal)
Coconut
Sacred thread (Yajnopavitam if idol is dressed)
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Saravanabhava Namaha (ௐ சரவணபவ நமஹ)
Meaning
Salutations to the one born in the saravana (reed forest). This is the six-syllable mantra representing the six faces/attributes of Murugan.
Benefits
Cleanses the mind, brings peace, enhances wisdom, provides protection, and helps overcome obstacles. It is considered a very potent mantra for Lord Murugan.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Tat Purushaya Vidmahe, Maha Senaya Dheemahi, Tanno Skandah Prachodayat (Om. Let us meditate on that Supreme Person, the great commander. May Skanda enlighten us.)
Meaning
This is the Skanda Gayatri Mantra, seeking enlightenment and guidance from Lord Skanda (Murugan).
Benefits
Invokes divine wisdom, courage, strength, removes negativity, and leads to spiritual awakening. It's excellent for focus and clarity.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Subramanya Moola Mantra: Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Skandaya Namaha (ஓம் ஹ்ரீம் ஸ்ரீம் க்லீம் ஸ்கந்தாய நமஹ)
Meaning
A powerful seed (bija) mantra invoking the essence of Lord Skanda. Hreem (Mahamaya, illusion), Shreem (Lakshmi, prosperity), Kleem (Kama, desire/attraction/fulfillment).
Benefits
Attracts prosperity, fulfills desires, grants victory, protection, and overall well-being. It helps in gaining control over senses and achieving success in material and spiritual endeavors.
Auspicious Days
Vaikasi Visakam (The specific date varies annually based on the lunar calendar, falling between May and June).
Tuesdays (especially during Vaikasi Visakam week, as Tuesday is generally auspicious for Murugan).
Krittika Nakshatram days (monthly occurrence).
Regional Variations
Vaikasi Visakam is celebrated with immense fervor, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and other regions with significant Tamil populations. Grand processions, Kavadi Attam (a ceremonial sacrifice and offering), and milk pot offerings (Paal Kudam) are common. Temples are beautifully decorated, and special elaborate pujas are performed. Devotees undertake fasts, recite Tiruppugazh (devotional hymns), and participate in bhajans and discourses. In some places, Lord Murugan's Vel (spear) is taken out in procession.
Related Pujas
Skanda Shashti (A six-day festival celebrating Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadman, typically in October-November).
Thai Poosam (A major festival celebrating the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a Vel to vanquish evil, typically in January-February).
Panguni Uthiram (Celebrates the divine marriages of Murugan with Valli and Deivanai, usually in March-April).