Thai Full Moon

For those planning to peform Arunachala giripradakshina during the upcoming Full Moon, it will be interesting to know that the next Full Moon (January 21st) is called ‘Thai Poosam’. The special significance is the star Pushya (Poosam) is considered to be the most auspicious star for spiritual development. Pushya means "nuture" and is in the sign Cancer owned by the Moon, the Mother. The deity associated with Pushya is also Brihaspati, the Guru or teacher and has the property of inspiring spiritual growth.

Vallalar

It is believed that on Thai Poosam in 1874 Swami Ramalingam (popularly known as Vallalar) made his final merger with Light. This Saint who was thought to be able to transform his physical body into a body made of Light, lived and maintained his body of light for 1½ years for all to witness. And then on January 30th 1874 and Full Moon day, he made his final merger with the light complete and physically disappeared from the earth plane. No traces of his body were ever found. As Arunachala is a manifestation of light it is not surprising that several Vallalar Shrines and Centres have been established at Tiruvannamalai in recent years.

Mythology states that it was on Thai Poosam that Goddess Parvati, presented the Shakti Vel, (Divine Spear) to Lord Muruga to defeat the demon Surabhaduman. For many, Thai Poosam is the most powerful day to pray to the Vel and Muruga for destruction of all enemies, diseases and debts. The Vel (spear) is also known as Jyoti, or Light.