Vaikasi Visakam (Vaisdakam) is one of the famous festivals celebrated all over Tamil Nadu. It is believed to be the day when Lord Subramanya, son of Lord Shiva and the chief general of the army of Devas(Gods) incarnated in this world to save the earth and end the sufferings of Devas from demons like Soorapadman. So the festival is celebrated to commemorate Subramanya’s birthday. He is also popularly known as Lord Muruga, Murugan, Karthikeya, Kartik, Kanda and Skanda.

For 2008, the festival falls on 19th May, Monday and is an extremely auspicious day in Tamil Hindu calendar. Lord Subramanya is one of the Hindu Gods, worshipped by most of Hindus in South India, Malaysia, Srilanka and Singapore. He epitomizes wisdom, divinity, strength, wealth, detachment and fame that are signified by his six heads.

The festival, Vaigasi Visakam is celebrated grandly in Murugan Temples and held with much religious fervor.

Myth behind Vaikasi Visakam
According to Puranas, the story goes like this, Soorapadman, the demon drives out all Devas (Gods) from heaven with the help of boons he was blessed with from Lord Brahma. Indra, the king of Devas, seeks the help of Brahma. Lord Brahma expresses his helplessness as he already blessed Surapadman, but He suggests Devas to seek the help of Lord Shiva. When Shiva hears about the evil deeds of Soorapadman, He opens his third eye and the fiery sparks that came out from it turns into six babies.
Later Devi Parvati joins all the six babies into one and thus Lord Muruga incarnates with a purpose of vanquishing all the evil forces and demons.

Vaikasi Visakam Celebrations
On the day of Vaikasi Visagam, thousands of devotees visit Lord Muruga Shrine especially to Lord Muruga Temple at Tirupparankundram and Lord Subramaniaswamy Temple at Tiruchendur. They offer milk and kavadi to Lord.

In homes, the festival is celebrated with a special puja to Lord. Sarkarai pongal is offered to Lord as Neivedyam. Subrahmanya Bhujangam, Shanmukha Kavacham and Kanda Sashti Kavacham are some religious verses on Lord are recited. It is believed in Tamil Nadu that these Kavachams are our real armours that protect us from all the evil forces.