Vaikasi Visakam is the day the star Visakam (Vishakha) falls in the month of Vaikasi, at or near the full moon. It is the birthday of Murugan. Pilgrims carry milk pots to his temples in the first real heat of the year, and the largest gathering is on the shore at Tiruchendur. Vaishnavas keep the same star as the birthday of the saint Nammazhvar.
The story
Six sparks flew from Shiva's third eye and were carried by the wind and the fire to the reed lake Saravana Poigai, where they became six infants nursed by the six Karthigai maidens. When Parvati gathered them into her arms they became one child with six faces and twelve arms: Arumugam.
For Buddhists the same full moon is Vesak, the day of the Buddha's birth, awakening and passing.
யாமிருக்க பயமேன்
Why fear, while I am here?
Murugan's assurance, written over the doors of his shrines
How it is kept
- Paal kudamPots of milk are carried on the head to cool the god.
- AbhishekamThe image is bathed through the day with milk, sandal and rose water.
- Neer mor pandalStalls of free buttermilk and water are set up for pilgrims.
- Garuda SevaiAt Azhwar Tirunagari nine Vishnu temples bring their deities to honour Nammazhvar.
Why this date
Vaikasi Visakam is the day in the solar month of Vaikasi on which the star Visakam is present at sunrise.
Vaikasi Visakam in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday | |
| 2026 | Saturday | |
| 2027 | Thursday | |
| 2028 | Monday | |
| 2029 | Sunday | |
| 2030 | Thursday |
More Tamil festivals
19 AprilAkshaya Tritiyaஅட்சய திருதியை
14 AprilPuthanduதமிழ்ப் புத்தாண்டு
25 JulySayana Ekadasiசயன ஏகாதசி
29 JulyGuru Purnimaகுரு பூர்ணிமா
1 AprilPanguni Uthiramபங்குனி உத்திரம்
28 AugustVaralakshmi Vratamவரலட்சுமி விரதம்
Where to see Vaikasi Visakam
In Tamil Nadu
- TiruchendurTamil NaduThe chief celebration, with lakhs bathing in the sea before the temple.
- PalaniTamil NaduA ten-day festival and a chariot round the hill.
- Azhwar TirunagariTamil NaduNammazhvar's birthplace on the Tamraparni, with the Garuda Sevai of the Nava Tirupati.
- SwamimalaiTamil NaduWhere the child Murugan taught his father the meaning of Om.
Across India
- Bodh GayaBiharBuddha Purnima at the place of the awakening.
- Kukke SubramanyaKarnatakaKarnataka's seat of the same god.
- SimhachalamAndhra PradeshNarasimha Jayanti falls a day or two earlier in the same fortnight.