The grand festival during the Tamil month of Masi, known as ‘Masi Brahmotsavam’, is being celebrated at the famous Vallaimalai Sri Subramanya Swami templ in Katpadi.
In the sequence of the events, the divine marriage festival was celebrated yesterday (Thursday, 5th March).
Masi Brahmotsavam at Valliamalai Sri Subramanya Swami temple commenced with the sacred ‘flag hoisting’ ceremony/festival on 23rd February.
From that day, The main deity of Lord Muruga and his divine consorts Valli & Deivayanai are carried in procession in different carriages across the main streets of the area. every day offering Darshan to the thousands of devotees..
The most important event of ‘Chariot-run’ commenced on Sunday, 1st March evening, and the procession on chariot went on for 4 days before returning on Wednesday.
Following the Chariot-run, the divine marriage ceremony festival was performed on Thursday between 8.45 AM & 9/45 AM in Mesha lagnam..
With the experts in Veda chanting Vedas & mantras, the divine marriage festival of Lord Muruga with the gypsy girl Valli was performed.
Earlier, gypsy community people had brought various articles as marriage presents to consort Valli whereas the Arya Vysya community brought marriage presents for the Lord Muruga.
‘Prasadams’ (divine offerings) were distributed to the devotees. This was followed by the marriage feast. Thousands of devotees offered their presents/contributions for the divine marriage.
Many devotees offered money as the marriage gift as a part of the penance undertaken by them.
The mythology has it that the devotees who pray in hearty earnestness will have their wishes fulfilled. Unmarried men & women pray for their weddings whereas the childless couples pray for a child, married ladies pray for the long life for their husbands with youngsters praying for jobs.
After these prayers, the devotees offer cash(from Rs. 50/- to several thousands) as their wedding presents as per their penance.
Gold & silver jewellery items are also offered as wedding presents. The re is the practice of women devotees receiving the sacred thread and vermillion (‘kumkum’) after the divine marriage and exchanging them in the temple premises.
This is a very ancient tradition being religiously followed even today. It is notable that devotees came from other neighbouring states like Andhra & Karnataka also come and participate in the Masi Brahmotsavam along with the devotees from throughout Tamil Nadu!
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