Murugan Worship in Fiji an article by Dr. R. Ponnu S. Goundar
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Namaskaram
May Goddess Lakshmi bless you and your home with a lifetime of health, wealth and prosperity.
Diwali
- the festival of Lights
This is perhaps
the most well-known of the Indian festivals: it is celebrated throughout India,
as well as in Indian communities throughout the diaspora. It usually takes place
eighteen days after Dusshera. It is colloquially known as the "festival
of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil lamps (called
diyas) and place them around the home, in courtyards, verandahs, and gardens,
as well as on roof-tops and outer walls. In urban areas, especially, candles
are substituted for diyas; and among the nouveau riche, neon lights are made
to substitute for candles. The celebration of the festival is invariably accompanied
by the exchange of sweets and the explosion of fireworks. As with other Indian
festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country.
In north India, Diwali celebrates Rama's homecoming, that is his return to Ayodhya
after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king; in Gujarat, the festival
honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is associated with
the goddess Kali. Everywhere, it signifies the renewal of life, and accordingly
it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the festival; similarly, it heralds
the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season. In our country
Fiji we celebrate this festival as it signifies many things and tells us many
stories. With fire crackers, diyas lit around the house, pooja place and where
the animals are tethered, we offer precious and delicious sweets and snacks
to our Lord and then to our visitors. We aslo share our goodies with our neighbours
and friends. More often we deliver this goodies to them, this after finishing
our prayers at home. The ladies, children and menfolks are in their best of
best attires and show their costumes to friends and others. Its the time of
sharing and nothing is spared. This brings happiness and satisfaction.
Our prayers are always with others and sick ones and the disabled ones. May Lord Murugan bless all and make this Diwali the most happiest one.
How South Indians Celebrate Diwali.
For South Indians, Diwali festival often commemorates the conquering of the
Asura Naraka, a powerful king of Assam, who imprisoned tens of thousands of
inhabitants. It was Krishna who finally subdued Naraka and freed the prisoners.
Diwali Festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of aipasi (thula month) 'naraka
chaturdasi' thithi, preceding amavasai. The preparations begin the day before,
when the oven is cleaned, smeared with lime, four or five kumkum dots are applied,
and then it is filled with water for the next day's oil bath. The house is washed
and decorated with kolam (rangoli) patterns with kavi (red oxide). In the pooja
room, betel leaves, betel nuts, plaintain fruits, flowers, sandal paste, kumkum,
gingelly oil, turmeric powder, scented powder are kept. Crackers and new dresses
are placed in a plate after smearing a little kumkum or sandal paste.
Celebrations
In the morning Deepavali celebrations begins early. The eldest family member
applies sesame oil on the heads of all the family members. Then, it's off for
a bath, beginning with the youngest in the family. They emerge with new clothes
and a look of anticipation at the thought of bursting crackers, which symbolizes
the killing of the demon king Narakasur.
Lehiyan: But before that comes Lehiyan, the bitter concoction, to cleanse the system of its festive over-eating! Then to the crackers.
Murukku: A puja is performed for the family deities in the morning. Breakfast consists of murukku , a sweet dish and, of course, idli or dosa .
Wish fulfilment: Some communities believe that when Narakasur was to be killed, Lord Krishna asked him his last wish. Narakasura replied that he wanted to enjoy the last day of his life in a grand manner and Diwali was celebrated. That was the beginning and the practice continued.
In The Evening: In the evening, lamps are lighted and crackers are burst.
During Thalai Deepavali, the newly weds go to the bride's parental home for
revelry. Taking blessings from the elders, they burst the first crackers of
the day. Usually a vast range of crackers is bought, with costs running into
thousands of rupees. The Diwali Celebrations include a visit to the temple,
gifts of clothes and jewelry, gorging on sweets and receiving blessings of elders.
The groom's parents, brothers and sisters come down to join in the celebrations.
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Inserted
on behalf of the TISI Central Council
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THIS FIFTH EDITION OF "NADI SIVA- SUBRAMANIYA SWAMI TEMPLE'" IS NOW IN AN IMPROVED FORM- IMPROVED IN ALL POSSIBLE WAYS.
PREFACE
The first edtition - the first of its kind in Fiji - was published in 1961, when Mr. Sitaram Dass of Qeleloa was the Asst. Secretary of our Temple Committee. It had the blessings of our Late Rev. Swami Rudranandaji Maharaj. Mr. Sitaram Dass told me that Late Hon. A.D. Patel too had a word of praise for it.
Then in 1984, the second edition, with some more matters related to our religion and culture, was published. The Late Mr. R. N. Nair, OBE, MVO, JP, who was then the Chairman of our Temple Reconstruction Committee, released that booklet on 17th March 1984. he will be remembered as one who helped our Sangam and our Temple to get the new site in a very short time.
The third enlarged edition was released on 6th February 1993 by then National President of TISI Sangam, Mr. Y.P. Reddy, OBE, JP.
Our Temple in the present site - ritually inaugurated on 15th July 1994 - has become the centre of attraction to all. Noticing the growing interest and support or our people for the noble cause, Dr. Gunasagaran Goundar, the then-Chairman, took the initiative to publish a very enlarged and colorful Fourth Edition, which was released on 31st January 1999.
The demand for the book was such that the Temple office had run out of stock, since 2000 - just a year after the last publication; hence the need for the Fifth Edition. In this edition, we have omitted some repetitions that could not be avoided in the previous publications. We have also added more matter in keeping with the additions to the Temple Complex. I implore the readers to bear with me on some of t he repetitions; by the way, they serve to emphasise the points repeated!
Indian religion is very ancient and still very young and active that it has vast literature, varied, wide and deep in its scope. There are volumes and volumes of books in different languages thato ne cannot exhaust even in one's lifetime. So, something 'short' is needed to meet the modern people's demand. In a book like this, one cannot exhaust everything about our festivals and religious rites. I am aware of the limits and limitations. Limitless are the books available for those interested, and I have noted and indicated a few sources for further study and contemption.
As a friend suggested, broadly speaking, this book can be entitled as "Murugan Worship and Festivals" or even as "Hindu Worship and some Festivals".
This lated edition has taken its present shape, thanks to the new Devasthanam / Temple Committee, under the able Chairmanship of Mr. D. S. Naidu, who is also the National President of the Sangam. As usual Mr. N. K. Naidu, former Secretary General has been the moving force for this effort. I record with gratitude the services rended by Mr. Mei Sendil Iniya Ananthar & Ms. Saalai Manikam in making this publication possible, all he way from Chennai, India. Our thanks are also due to Mr. Salai Ravi, the printers and especially all the generous donors.
I am sure this latest improved edition will be found useful by a greater number of devotees.
Let our Lord Muruhan bless us all.
M.R.Bala Ganapathi (B.G.Pillai)
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MESSAGE - MR. D. S. NAIDU - TISI SANGAM NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Over the years,
our Murugan Temple, the largest and most prestigious of the Hindu Temples in
Fiji, has grown both in popularity and in facilities. Demand for explanation
or festivals and rites from ever growing number of devotees, especially that
of the younger generations, from not only all round Fiji but from overseas,
where our people have migrated, prompt us to bring out the newer edition of
this valuable publication which first came into being in late 1950.
Indeed it has been our good fortune to have had amongst our midst a great Murugan
devotee in the humble person of Thiru M.R.Balaganapathi (popularly known in
Fiji as Mr. B. G. Pillai), whose love of not only Nadi Murugan but Fiji Murugan
devotees, has enabled him with great devotion and care to author and edit several
interesting publications that we a re now the proud owners of. Fiji would not
have had such beautiful books and articles but for Thiru Balaganapathi’s labour
of love. Now in his late eighties and living in New Zealand has not deterred
him form editing and bringing out the fifth edition of the book. May Lord SubramaNiya
Swami’s grace continue to be showered on our respected author and consequently
upon us.
With the addition of shrines of Devi Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwarar as well
as installation of Navagrah Murthis, devotees are blessed with the benefit of
being able to offer prayers at these shrines.
Our Temple now enjoys the service of properly trained GurukkaLs from South India,
who are able to guide and give meaningful service to the ever-growing number
of devotees now visiting the Temples regularly.
All monthly and annual festivals are celebrated at the Temple – including amongst
others. Thai Poosam, Panguni Uttiram, Skanda Sashti, Thiru Meenakshi, Sundareshwarar,
Thiru KalyaaNam, Vinaayaka Chathurthi, Siva Raathri and Navaraathiri – which
attract many devotees also from Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia.
With the
increased activities and attendance at the Temple, we trust the new edition
of the publication will be welcomed with much interest for its informative value.
We acknowledge with much appreciation and gratitude the great services that
Ms. Saalai Manikam, the designers and Mr. Salai Ravi, the printers in India,
have offered us in bringing out yet another more beautiful and attractive publication,
which is sure to find a place in the homes of devotees in Fiji and overseas.
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THIS BEAUTIFUL PUBLICATION CAN BE BOUGHT FROM THE SANGAM HEAD OFFICE IN NADI.
Contact – 679 6700016 or email: sangam@connect.com.fj
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