THAI PUSAM : Thrnuah Faifh And Fire

Thai is a Tamil month which coincides with Magh. It is most sacred to devotees of Kartikeya who is worshipped specially when the Pusam star rises in this month. At many south Indian temples, trenches of burning coals arc laid out for devotees to walk over. In a similar custom, Mariamman, a deity popular in southern India, is also worshipped with a fire walk. It has been seen that people who volunteer to undertake this experience with faith, come away unharmed and come away unharmed and unscathed.

January has four other celebrations. The fourth day of the bright half of Magh is cele brated as VinayakJayanti, or the birth of Ganesha. Durga is worshipped on Lalita Panchami, the fifth day of the bright half of Magh. Vasant Panchami, on the same day, welcomes the advent of early spring. The sixth day of the bright half of Magh brings in the festival of the goddess Chamundt especially observed along the Konkan coast.