Thiruppugazh Musical Worship:
Skanda Sashti at the Hindu Temple of New Hampshire

 â€œà®¤à®¿à®°à¯à®ªà¯à®ªà¯à®•à®´à¯ˆà®ªà¯ பாடப் பாட வாய் மணக்கும்”
“Thiruppugazh perfumes the soul of the singer”
(a saying in Tamil)

The Skanda Sashti celebration (11/10/2015-11/17/2015) at the Hindu Temple of New Hampshire this year, featured an evening of devotional music drawn from Thiruppugazh, rendered with bhakti and sweetness by the Boston Thiruppugazh Anbargal - a group of singers led by Smt. Malini Ramakrishnan, and accompanied on the mridangam by Sri Sivaharan.

Skanda Sashti

A recurring theme in Hindu thought is the victory of good over evil, and the reminder and emphasis of this belief by celebrating various festivals such as Diwali and Navaratri. Skanda Sashti is another festival that highlights the same theme. Skanda Sashti is celebrated in a grand manner every year in Temples dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Sri Subrahmanya, who is known by various names including Muruga, Karthikeya, Kumara, Senthil Andavar, and Shanmukha. According to the Puranas, Lord Muruga incarnated as a divine child in response to prayers for protection from the evil Asura Surapadma and his brothers, and he vanquished them in a battle that lasted 6 days. This victory is commemorated by celebrating Skanda Sashti, and the battle is reenacted in many Temples as Soorasamharam. The Soorasamharam event at Tiruchendur, located on the shores of the Indian Ocean in Tamil Nadu, is very famous and attracts huge crowds every year.

Thiruppugazh

The story behind Skanda Sashti is also used to illustrate the infinite grace of Lord Muruga, who after vanquishing the evil asura Surapadma, forgave the asura’s misdeeds and admitted him into his fold to serve him in the form of his peacock vehicle, and adorn his flag in the form of a rooster. Another instance of the infinite compassion and forgiveness of Lord Muruga appears in the legend of the revered 15^th century Tamil saint Sri Arunagirinathar Swamigal. Lord Muruga’s miraculous touch is believed to have transformed him into a divine and prolific poet who composed “Thiruppugazh” – sacred poetry in praise of Lord Muruga.

Thiruppugazh was popularized in modern times by Late Guruji Raghavan, who set to tune more than 500 of the songs in over 100 ragas, selecting the tala of each song to be consistent with the meter of the corresponding verses, and evolved a tradition of musical worship known as “Thiruppugazh Isai Vazhipadu”. His efforts have evolved into a popular movement with an international following called “Thiruppugazh Anbargal” whose goal is to spread the message of love, brotherhood, self-discipline and unity through music.

Thiruppugazh Isai Vazhipadu

The Boston Thiruppugazh Anbargal group led by Smt. Malini Ramakrishnan, daughter and disciple of Guruji Raghavan, performed Thiruppugazh Isai Vazhipadu in the shrine of Lord Muruga at the Hindu Temple of new Hampshire on Sunday,11/16/2015, as part of Skanda Sashti celebrations this year. Their musical chorus filled the Temple with the sacred vibrations of Thiruppugazh and immersed the devotees in two hours of divine bliss. Sri Sivaharan Thurairaja provided able accompaniment on the mridangam.

The program which started with prayers to Lord Ganesha (Kaithala Niraikani), consisted of a selection of 35 Bhajans. The Bhajans, grouped into songs in praise of Lord Muruga in his various Temples, was a virtual pilgrimage tour. The songs covered the Aaru Padai Veedu (the six most sacred Murugan Temples) of Thirupparankundram, Tiruchendur, Pazhani, Swami Malai, Tiruththani, and Pazhamudhir Cholai, as well as the deities at Karuvoor, Konganangiri, Thirumurganpoondi, Chidambaram and Panchaboota Stalas. This was followed by other enthralling songs including “Kandhar Anubhooti”, “Vel Mayil Viruththam” and “Vel Vaguppu”. Sri Veeramani chanted the Subrahmanya Trishati as part of Archana. After this came the Arathi song of this tradition - “Nadavindu Kaladhi Namo”. This was followed by the beautiful “Eru Mayil” song. When the program concluded with some soulful chanting of “Muruga”, one could sense the sense of bliss and joy generated by the event in everyone present. Sri Veeramani spoke words of thanks, and Smt. Vithobha Sathanandam honored Smt. Malini Ramakrishnan, Sri Sivaharan and the members of the Thiruppugazh Anbargal group with shawls and bags.

The revered Muruga Bhakta Thirumuruga Kripananda Variyar Swamigal was once asked where one could find Lord Muruga. Variyar Swamigal explained that Lord Muruga lives in the hearts of devotees who sing the Thiruppugazh. The Hindu Temple of New Hampshire is fortunate to have so many devotees with Lord Muruga in their hearts visit the Temple during Skanda Sashti this year.

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