Vaikasi Visakam 2023: Vaikasi Visakam is celebrated as Lord Murugan’s birthday. It is observed during the Tamil month Vaikasi’s Visakam Nakshatra. Vaikasi is the second Solar month in the Tamil calendar, and Visakam is the sixteenth star out of twenty-seven that appears each month. In other Hindu calendars, Vaikasi month is known as Vrishabha month, and Visakam Nakshatra is known as Vishakha Nakshatra. Vaikasi Visakam occurs between May and June.
When is Vaikasi Visakam celebrated?
Vaikasi Visakam is observed when the Vishakha Nakshatra coincides with the Vaikasi month’s full moon or Purnima Tithi. Vaikashi is the second month of the year on the Tamil calendar, which corresponds to May-June on the Gregorian calendar.
Date and Tithi of Importance for Vaikasi Visakam 2023
- Vaikasi Visakam: Saturday, June 3, 2023
- Visakam Nakshathram Begins: 06:53 on 02 Jun 2023
- Visakam Nakshathram concludes at 06:16 on 3 June 2023.
History
The narrative surrounding the birth of Lord Muruga is quite intriguing. When Lord Shiva mourned the loss of his late consort Sati, he began an eons-long period of meditation. Three demons named Tarakasura, Surapadman, and Singamuhan wrought devastation on both Earth and heaven in the interim. The three demons were cursed to perish only at the hands of Lord Shiva’s son. Later, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu became concerned and approached Lord Shiva for assistance. Six sparkles of fire are said to have emanated from the third eye located on the forehead of Lord Shiva in response to a question. Gods Vayu(air) and Agni(fire) transported the blazing heat from the sparks to the Ganges, where the water flow propelled them to the lotus-filled Lake Saravanai. The sparkles grew into six spiritual offspring in the Lake, who were raised by Krittika maidens. The goddess Parvati then embraced these children, transforming them into a single being with six features and twelve limbs.
This form of Lord Murugan eventually became known as Shanmuga, the six-mouthed deity. Lord Shanmuga then eliminated these three evil entities in order to restore tranquilly on Earth. The six aspects of Lord Murugan represent creation, protection, destruction, involution, inexhaustible generosity, and the origin of knowledge. The Krittika maidens who tended for six newborns became stars and subsequently formed a constellation. Currently, it is known as Krittika Nakshatra or the Pleiades constellation. Lord Kartikeya is therefore known as the son of Krittika.
Significance
Lord Murugan is the deity of bravery, wealth, and intelligence, and it is believed that worshipping him eradicate all the negative forces in one’s life, such as sadness, negativity, grief, and others. The Vaikasi Visakam festival signifies that Lord Murugan will eradicate the evil elements in a person’s life, just as he destroyed the demon Soorapadam.
Rituals To Be Performed On Vaikasi Visakam
On this day, Lord Muruga statues or photographs are cleansed and decorated with flowers. Some devotees also fast in order to please Lord Murugan. During the period of fasting, devotees also recall how Lord Murugan vanquished the three entities Tarakasura, Surapadman, and Singamuhan. It is considered an essential component of fasting rituals.
If you venerate Lord Muruga with a purified heart, your marriage problems may be resolved. In addition, you may attain the affluence and prosperity necessary to appreciate life’s finest moments. Your supplication may atone for your past offences. Lord Murugan may assist you in eliminating the negative effects of the planet Mars.
On this occasion, devotees prepare delectable offerings and place them before Lord Murugan. In addition, six red Oleander or six Nagalinga flowers are presented to Lord Murugan. Some individuals also devote their time to assisting the impoverished or those in need.
