- Vaikasi month (May-June)
- Visakam (Vishakha) star
- Birth of Murugan
- Kavadi and milk pots
Where it began
Visakam is the star under which Murugan is believed to have been born, so he is also called Visakan.
Legend says six sparks from Shiva's third eye fell into the Saravana pond and became six babies, cared for by the six Krittika maidens. Parvati embraced them, and they became one child with six faces, Shanmukha.
The day comes at the peak of summer, so devotees give water, buttermilk and food to people as an act of worship.
How it grew over time
Ancient times
Murugan is praised in Tamil Sangam poems as a god of the hills and the Tamil land.
Temple tradition
Murugan's six abodes hold grand festivals on Vaikasi Visakam.
Recent decades
Murugan temples abroad begin to hold large Vaikasi Visakam festivals.
Today
Devotees fill temples with kavadi, milk pots and songs.
How it is celebrated in different places
Tiruchendur
Devotees bathe in the sea and worship at the shore temple.
Palani
Pilgrims climb the hill with kavadi and milk pots.
Thiruparankundram
A festival at the first of Murugan's six abodes, near Madurai.
Malaysia and Sri Lanka
Tamil temples hold processions and special worship.
Vaikasi Visakam moments
Vaikasi Visakam today
Families visit Murugan temples, fast and sing hymns. Many set up stalls to give water, buttermilk and panakam to people in the summer heat.
