HE HISTORY OF THAIPUSAM

Sage Agasthiyar wanted to take two hills — Sivagiri and Saktigiri – to his abode in the South and
commissioned his asuran disciple Idumban to carry them. Idumban was one of the very few
asuran survivors of the surāsuran war between Murugan’s forces and those of Surapadman. After
surviving the war he had repented and became a devotee of Lord Murugan.
At this stage, Subrahmanya or Muruga had just been outwitted by His brother Ganesa in a contest
for going around the world and He was still smarting over the matter. In anger, He vowed to
leave His home and family and came down to Tiru Avinankudi at the Adivāram (meaning ‘foot
of the Sivagiri Hill’). Later He withdrew to the Palani hill and settled there as a recluse in peace
and solitude.
Idumban bore the hills slung across his shoulders in the form of a kavadi, one on each side. When
he reached Palani and felt fatigued, he placed the kavadi down to take rest.
Idumban
When Idumban resumed his journey, he found that he could not lift the hill. Lord Murugan who
wanted to test the determination and devotion of Idumban to his guru, had made it impossible for
Idumban to carry it.
Upon the hilltop the great asuran spotted a little boy wearing only kaupeenam (loin cloth) and
demanded that he vacate at once so Idumban could proceed with his task. The boy, who was yet
in a fighting mood, refused. In the fierce battle which ensued, Idumban was slain but was later
restored to life.
Idumban belatedly recognised the boy as none other than his Ishtha Devata Murugan and prayed
to Him that:
Whosoever carried on his shoulders the kavadi, signifying the two hills and visited the Palani
temple on a vow should be blessed; and He should be given the priviledge of standing sentinel at
the entrance to the hill.
Since then, pilgrims to Palani bring their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi. The custom has
spread from Palani to all Murugan temples.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CARRYING THE KAVADI
The Kavadi that each devotee carries symbolizes his/her burden like the two hills carried by
Idumban. It is believed that the burden in the life of a devotee who carries Kavadi is lessened by
Murugan. Taking Kavadi to Murugan temples during Thaipusam is considered highly auspicious.
Aum Saravana Bhavaya Namaha
A festival occurring in the Tamil month Thai (January – February), on the day of the star
Poosam around Pournami (Full Moon) is celebrated as Thaipusam [Thai Poosam]. There are
several legends about the festival Thaipusam. Here are a few of them There was a demon
named Tharakasuran who gave a lot of trouble to the rishis and saints. Lord Muruga was
called by his parents Lord Shiva and Parvati and given the job of destroying the Asuran. Lord
Muruga set off with the blessings of his parents to destroy the demon. He took with him
twelve weapons, eleven of which were given by his father Lord Shiva and the ‘Vel’ given by
his mother Parvati. Lord Muruga destroyed Tharakasuran on the Poosam Nakshatra day in
the Tamil month of Thai and hence Thai Poosam is celebrated in all Murugan temples.
According to another legend, as Shiva was imparting a mantra to Parvati, Lord Muruga
eavesdropped on them. For that error, Parvati laid a curse on him, in line with the rule that
even a son, if erring, must be punished. To be redeemed from her curse, Lord Muruga offered
hard penance at Thiruparankundram. Pleased with his penance, Shiva and Parvati appeared
before him and lifted the curse. The day on which the curse was removed is Thai Poosam.

It is thus a special day for worship of Lord Muruga or Subrahmanya and is celebrated in a
very grand manner at all Murugan temples, especially at the Six Battle Camps or ‘Arupadai
Veedu’ of Murugan.

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