2023 Thai Masam Krithigai Date and Time

Krithigai is a Nakshatra/constellation/ astrological star in the Hindu almanac. On the day of this star in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb), Krithigai Pooja is performed. It is a very auspicious day for those who worship Muruga or Skanda.

When Muruga was born as 6 sparks of fire from Shiva’s third eye and then turned into 6 babies in the Saravana Poigai, it was the Karthigai Pengal (maidens) who took care of the babies. Hence, Shiva conferred on them the status of stars. This cluster of stars is also called the Pleiades. Kartikeya, one of Muruga’s many names comes from Krithigai. The Krithigai festival celebrates the Karthigai Pengal too.

Thai month is when the Sun begins his 6-month northward journey, called Uttarayana Punyakalam. This is a very auspicious time and signifies dawn for the gods. Thai Krithigai 2023 is on January 30. Muruga’s birth star is Krithigai. Devotees of Muruga perform special Poojas and observe a fast on this day.

The festival of Thai Poosam is also observed in Thai month.

Thai Krithigai Rituals

On this day, it is the practice for devotees to walk long distances to Muruga temples. This is called padayatra.

To honor vows they have made, pilgrims carry Kavadi and Pal Kudam. Kavadi is a Tamil word that means ‘carrying weight on one’s shoulder’. It is an offering to Muruga. It requires much will-power, and only some are destined to do this. There are different kinds of Kavadis - Pookavadi, Vel Kavadi, Paravaikavadi, etc. Only men take Kavadi, as one needs muscular strength and one must undergo severe penance. Kavadi is a bow-like structure that is decorated with peacock feathers, glass works, and many more adornments. Kavadis can weigh up to 35 kg.

Many devotees undertake a fast. They eat only fruits, milk, and lentils.

Muruga temples will be elaborately decorated on this occasion. Musical instruments, mostly percussion, are played, and there will be bhajans and chanting of Mantras by priests.

Special Yagnas take place in Muruga temples on this day.

The priests also perform Abishekam for Muruga with curd, milk, Panchamirtham, honey, rose water, tender coconut water, sandalwood paste, etc. In some places, the idols of Muruga are taken in a procession.

Legend behind Kavadi Ritual

Carrying Kavadi is a major ritual during Thai Krithigai, as well as most festivals associated with Muruga. But not many are aware of the legend behind its origin.

Millions of years ago, Shiva asked Sage Agasthya to install two hills - Shivagiri and Shaktigiri - down south. En route to the south, the sage had to go elsewhere for an emergency. So he told his discipline Idumban to carry out the task.

Idumban tied the hills to either side of his shoulders and carried them to the south. The long journey exhausted him, so he decided to rest near a pond. Having found a beautiful lake, he placed the hills near it and went to slake his thirst by drinking some water.

He returned to the spot where he placed the hills and tried to lift them. But he couldn’t move them at all. To his surprise, he saw a little boy standing on top of one of the hills.

Seeing this, Idumban became angry and told the boy to leave the hills, as he had to take them down south. But the boy refused. Idumban, who was an Asura, began a fight with the small boy. But the boy proved more powerful and defeated the demon. Then he realized that the boy was Muruga, the son of Shiva. Idumban asked Muruga to pardon him.

Muruga said he could live next to his hill and bestowed the honor that devotees would visit his shrine first before entering Muruga’s.

Idumban was the one who took the first Kavadi to Palani. So, devotees who take Kavadi for Muruga first visit the Idumban temple and offer him a coconut before they proceed to worship Muruga. The lake nearby is Idumban lake, and custom demands that all Pathayathira devotees and Kavadi devotees must bathe in it before entering the temple.

Rules for Carrying Kavadi

Before taking Kavadi, devotees have to observe many rules and perform severe penance. For 48 days, they cannot consume non-vegetarian foods. They have to take baths twice a day in cold water. They had to abstain from sex during those days, and they cannot trim their hair. Wearing slippers is forbidden, and they should visit the temple every day. These norms must be followed before they begin their holy padayatra or spiritual journey.

And, once they start walking, with the Kavadi on their shoulders, they cannot keep it down until they reach a temple or ashram, as the Kavadi is regarded as Muruga himself. Also, it is a must for devotees to complete their walk.

Thai Krithigai is celebrated at all 6 Arupadai Veedus, the temples dedicated to Muruga, in Thiruchendhur, Palani, Thirupparankundram, Swamimalai, Tiruttani, and Pazhamudhircholai.

There are three Krithigai days each year. These are very auspicious for Muruga worship. The first is Thai Krithigai. The second is the Krithigai day in the month of Karthigai (Nov-Dec). It is Periya (big) Krithigai. The third is Aadi Krithigai in Aadi month (June-July). It occurs during the Dakshinayana period when the Sun starts its southward journey. Dakshinayana is the night of the gods.