Tamil Nadu: 18 types of ‘Abhishekam’ performed at Thoothukudi’s Sornamalai Kathirvel Murugan Temple on ‘Vaikasi Visakam’ festival

THOOTHUKUDI (Tamil Nadu):  May 22 (ANI): As the grand ‘Vaikasi Visakam’ festival commenced on May 13, eighteen types of special ‘Abhishekam’ and decorative ‘Deeparathan’ were performed for ‘Moolavar’ and ‘Parivar Murthys’ at Sornamalai Kathirvel Murugan temple in Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu.

The festival began with the flag-hoisting ceremony on May 13. Vaikasi Visakam festival is a grand festival that lasts for 10 days, in which each day is marked by different processions.

On May 19, a chariot procession was held as a part of the grand festival in Vadapalani Murugar Temple in Vadapalani, a neighbourhood area of Chennai city.

The chariot procession witnessed a large and dense crowd of devotees throughout the event. Devotees were spotted playing different musical instruments in the spirit of devotion, whereas some devotees were addressing their prayers to the god.

The grand Vaikasi Visakam festival is celebrated by Tamilians to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Murugan, and it attracts thousands of devotees every year.

Lord Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, Skanda, or Subrahmanya, has six faces and mounts on a peacock. It is said that Kartikeya was born to kill the demon Tarkasura. He gives protection to all the deities and his devotees who worship him with immense devotion and pure intentions.

As per Hindu Scriptures, Vaikasi Visakam holds great significance among Hindus. This festival is mainly celebrated in South India.

Earlier, in the year 2020, the festival was cancelled in view of the coronavirus-induced lockdown. (ANI)