Sashti on a Friday: Why Is This Auspicious Day Special for Lord Murugan Devotees?

When Friday coincides with Sashti, devotees consider it an auspicious occasion to worship Lord Murugan and seek his divine blessings for marriage, property, family prosperity and the removal of life's obstacles.

Sashti and Friday coming together is considered a spiritually significant occasion for Lord Murugan devotees. On this auspicious day, worshipping the divine Vel-bearing deity is believed to bring blessings, fulfil heartfelt wishes and help devotees overcome difficulties.

Lord Murugan, also revered as Valli's divine consort, is worshipped by devotees seeking marital blessings, a harmonious family life and the opportunity to own a home. According to religious beliefs, praying to him is also believed to help overcome obstacles associated with marriage, including Sevvai Dosham (Mars affliction), while blessing devotees with the joy of parenthood.

Sashti is traditionally regarded as an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Murugan. Other significant occasions associated with the deity include Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram, Vaikasi Visakam and Aadi Krittikai. On these special days, temples dedicated to Lord Murugan organise elaborate prayers, rituals and religious celebrations.

During Thaipusam, for instance, hundreds of thousands of devotees make pilgrimages to sacred Murugan temples, including Palani and Tiruchendur, to seek the deity's blessings. Many undertake long barefoot journeys, carry traditional kavadi offerings, including milk kavadi, and observe fasting as an expression of their devotion.

Although Lord Murugan is the son of Lord Shiva, who governs the universe, Hindu scriptures also revere him as the divine Guru of Wisdom.

He is celebrated as the deity who explained the meaning of the sacred Pranava Mantra (Om), even imparting its profound knowledge to his own father, Lord Shiva. This is why Lord Murugan is also worshipped as a divine teacher who blesses devotees with wisdom, spiritual knowledge and enlightenment.

Lord Murugan is also associated with Mars, known as Sevvai in Tamil astrology, and is regarded as the deity governing the planet. Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Murugan, Lord Mars and Angaraka at the Vaitheeswaran Temple can bring favourable blessings and help overcome planetary obstacles.

Tuesdays and Fridays are considered particularly auspicious for worshipping Lord Murugan, while Sashti is another sacred day dedicated to him.

When Friday coincides with Sashti, devotees are encouraged to visit Murugan temples, offer prayers and seek his divine grace. Those observing the occasion at home can light traditional oil lamps in the morning and evening and recite the Kanda Sashti Kavasam as an act of devotion.

For devotees hoping to own their own home but whose plans have been repeatedly delayed, religious beliefs suggest offering lemon rice as neivedhyam (a sacred food offering) to Lord Murugan while sincerely praying for his blessings.

Lord Murugan is believed to bless devotees with their heartfelt wishes, including the opportunity to own a house or property, overcome marriage-related obstacles, receive the blessings of marriage and experience the joy of parenthood.

Source : hindutamil

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