How To Celebrate Vaikasi Visakam At Home and Observe Viratham?

Vaikasi Visakam, one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Lord Murugan, is celebrated annually during the Visakha Nakshatra in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (mid-May to mid-June). This auspicious occasion marks the divine birth of Lord Muruga, the embodiment of courage, wisdom, and righteousness. According to the Kanda Purana, Lord Murugan manifested from the divine sparks that emerged from Lord Shiva’s third eye in the month of Vaikasi under the Visakha star.

The name Visakha translates to "sprouting," symbolizing Lord Murugan as the spiritual sprout of divine knowledge from Shiva, the cosmic tree of wisdom. Hence, He is revered as the Apple of Knowledge, while His elder brother, Lord Ganesha, is worshipped as the Bearer of Knowledge.

A Grand 10-Day Festival Murugan temples across the world, including the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu), celebrate Vaikasi Visakam with grandeur and devotion over a span of 10 days. The final day, which falls on Monday, June 9 this year, draws thousands of devotees who undertake various forms of worship to receive Lord Murugan’s blessings. Many devotees fulfil vows by carrying milk pots, performing Kavadi Attam, and walking barefoot to temples, embodying both physical and spiritual discipline.

The celebrations are marked by special abhishekams, alankarams, and the chanting of sacred hymns in praise of the Lord.






Observing Vaikasi Visakam at Home

Devotees observing the festival at home can follow these rituals on the main day:

• Cleanse and prepare the home and the puja area the day before, ensuring the image or idol of Lord Murugan, lamps, and poojai items are well-arranged.
• On the festival morning, wake up early and adorn the image of Lord Murugan with sandalwood paste (chandanam), saffron, and fresh flowers.
• For those with a Vel (spear) or idol, perform a ceremonial abhishekam using milk, rosewater (paneer), sandalwood paste, and other traditional offerings.
• Begin the poojai by first invoking Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles, then proceed with Murugan pooja, offering flowers, fruits, and prasadam.
• Chant sacred hymns such as the Thiruppugazh and the Vel Maral Mahamantra, meditating on the presence of Lord Murugan in your heart.

A day of spiritual rebirth Vaikasi Visakam is not just a celebration of Murugan’s birth but a reminder of our own spiritual rebirth. It is a day to shed ego, ignorance, and attachments, and embrace the light of divine wisdom, courage, and humility. May this Vaikasi Visakam bring strength, clarity, and grace to all devotees, a quiet rebellion against ageism and social judgment.

Source / Image Credit : Samayam Tamil, Om Spiritual Shop, The Hindu