Murugan Festivals

Murugan is worshipped throughout the Tamil year. Some of the more important fesitivals include Skanda Shasthi, which is celebrated on the sixth day of the waxing phase of the moon in the in the Tamil month of Aippasi (approximately Oct. 15th-Nov. 15th) and commemerates the Shanmuga's victory. The another important festival is Thaipusam, celebrated by the Tamil communities worldwide near the full moon of the Tamil month Thai. This commemorates the day he was given a Vel or lance by his mother in order to vanquish the demons. Thirukarthigai or Kathigai Deepam is celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month of Karthigai and signifies Muruga's birth. Each Tuesday of the Tamil month of Adi is also dedicated to the worship of Murugan. Tuesday in the Hindu tradition connotes Mangala, the god of planet Mars and war. K. V. Ramakrishna Rao has provided interesting resreach on the zodiac significance of Murugan festivals.

Murugan worship in dance and music: Kavvadi

Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees Murugan, performed during the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage. Unlike other festivals, participating in Kavadi generally involves some physical strain or burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God Murugan. The legend is that Lord Shiva entrusted the Sage Agastya with two hillocks, with instructions to carry and install them in South India. But the sage left them in a forest and later asked his disciple, Idumban to get them. Idumban found the two hillocks, but could not initially lift them, until he obtained divine help. Near Palani in South India – where to this day there is a famous shrine of Murugan — Idumban put the hillocks down to rest awhile. When he attempted to continue with his journey, he found that the hillocks were immovable. Idumban sought the help of a scantily dressed youth, but the youth claimed the hillocks belonged to him. In the ensuing scuffle, Idumban was defeated. Idumban then realised that the youth was Lord Murugan. Idumban pleaded to be pardoned and asked that anyone who comes to the hills to worship Murugan with an object similar to the two hillocks suspended by a rod, may be granted his heart’s desire. Idumban’s wish was granted. And so the kavadi came to play its role in Hindu festivals. Participants in the Kavadi often sing a special type of folk song call the Kavadi Chindu.

KavaDicindu is a generic name for a variety of tamil folk song composed and popularized by Annamalai Reddiar. The songs have stanzas but no pallavi, anupallavi and caraNa divisions. Some are set to common ragas like cenjuruTi and Anandabhairavi but most others are based on harikAmbhOji notes. The songs are meant to be sung by people who carry the kAvaDi as an offering. Most are in praise of Subramanya and are steeped in bhakti. Here is a link to a song on the Kumran.org site which begins with seermEvum ettikkudi vAzhum