^{Hindus Festival}

K.Gunasegaran @ GS Tamilan

[  THAI PONGGAL  ]

It is a harvest festival held in the beginning of Tamil Month of Thai (Jan - Feb). Thai month is supposed to be the luckiest month of the year. The Hindus believe that when Thai is born hope is born.

[  THAIPUSAM  ]

Thaipusam is particularly the festival of Lord Subramaniya, the Son of Shiva. The worship of Subramanya or Murugan as he is more commonly called, is very popular in Malaysia. The deity is looked upon both as a War God in which form he is a destroyer of evil and as an Universal Dispenser of favors to all who worship him with fervors. In Malaysia Thaipusam is celebrated on a grand scale at Batu caves, Kuala Lumpur and Waterfall Temple, Penang.

[  MAHA SIVARATHIRI  ]

It falls on the dark half of the Tamil Month of Maasi (Feb- Mar). It is a festival in honor of Lord Shiva. The worshipper is expected to fast the whole day and to keep awake the entire night. The night is divided into four quarters and the priest does Abishegams four times in the night.

[  MAASI MAGHAM  ]

It fall on full moon day of Tamil Month of Maasi (Feb-Mar). Worship offered on this day is auspicious and will bring prosperity to the worshipper.

[  PANGGUNI UTTIRAM  ]

This festival occurs on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Pangguni (Mar - Apr). this day is celebrated by Hindus because it commemorates Celestial Marriages.

[  TAMIL NEW YEAR  ]

The Hindu New year begins on the day the sun enters the Zodiacal house Magaram (Aries) in the Month of Chithirai (Apr - May). It is called Chithirai Vishu meaning that day and night are of equal length on this day.

[  CHITTHIRAI PARUVAM  ]

Its falls on the full moon day of Chithirai (Apr - May). The main intention of the observances on this day is to secure that the peace and happiness of the souls departed. Hindus who have lost their mothers fast on thisday.

[  VAIKAASI VISAKAM  ]

Worship is offered to Yeman the God of death, also known as Dharmaputra. It is also important as the day, which marks the birth of Lord Subramanya. This festival occurs on the full moon day in the Tamil Month of Vaikasi (May - June).

[  AADI AMMAVAASAI  ]

This fast is observed by Hindus who have lost their loved fathers. The day is Ammavaasai (Jul - Aug) which means total Eclipse of the moon.

[  VINAYAGA SATHURTHI  ]

The day falls in the month of Aavani (Aug-Sep). It commemorates the day Siva’s consort Parvathy created him to guard her private quarters.

[  NAVARAATHIRI  ]

This is a festival devoted to the worship of God head in its various female forms. Navarathiri means 9 nights and hence the festival is celebrated for 9 days – For Durga on the first 3 days, for Lakshmi on the next 3 days and for Sarswathy on the last 3 days . It falls in the Tamil month of Purattathi (Sep-Oct).

[  DEEPAVALI  ]

The festival is celebrated to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. In Malaysia it's a public holiday and has become one of the many  National Festivals. Deepavali is not merely a day of festival of light. It is a day of sharing joy, helping the unfortunates and destitute, with food, sweets and clothing.

[  KANTHA SHASTI  ]

The festival falls on the sixth day in the Month of Aipasi (Oct-Nov). Shat means sixth and Kanthan or Skanda is one of the many names by which Lord Subramanya is known. The festival is in honor of Lord Subramanya who has the capacity to destroy the six evils within us namely Kaama(lust) , Krotha (Anger) , Loba (Greed) , Moha (Infatuation) , Madha (Pride & Arrogance) and Esha (longing & Craving). It is thus the festival of six days, in honor of Lord Subramanya.

[ KAARTIGAI DEEPAM  ]

The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Kaartigai (Nov – Dec). Agni becomes identified with lord Shiva. On the day of festival, lighting of light takes an important place after sunset. All the houses are fully illuminated and oil lamps placed all around the compound of the houses.

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