Tamil speaking Hindus worldwide celebrate an annual event called “Thai Poosam”. In Ventura
County, a Tamil-Hindu book club organized the event this year. It involves devotees carrying semicircular wooden structures (Kavadi) and pots of milk. At the end of the spiritual walk, the Kavadis and the pots of milk were let go at the feet of the Hindu Deity Murugan.

Kavadi (Kaa-wa-Dee) representsthe need for balance and harmony in the world. Both Kavadi and pots of milk represents the community or personal burden. The Kavadi usually weighs the same as the person carrying it.

The Tamil-Hindu community walked for miles around the Hindu temple in Thousand Oaks. More than 100 people attended the dedication service at the end of the walk.

“Thai Poosam” denotes a special day in the Tamil-Hindu calendar. “Thai” is the name of the month, which falls between mid-January and mid-February. Poosam is the Tamil name for the Beehive cluster located in the constellation Cancer. It is a lunar asterism having special significance to Tamil-Hindu community world over. This is the day in which the spiritual walk explained above is done. This practice originated more than 2,500 years ago in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil-Hindu book club intends to continue holding spiritual walk every year.

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The post Tamil-Hindu community in California celebrate Thai Poosam appeared first on The Commune.

Ever since Karuppar Kootam, a YouTube channel run by ‘Periyarists’ with links to the DMK set off a storm by abusing Kandha Sashti Kavasam, a hymn dedicated to the Hindu God Murugan, the DMK has been feeling the heat for its anti-Hindu politics that it had been doing since its inception.

While the party and its leaders had tried to distance themselves from the rabid YouTube channel, evidences clearly show that senior leaders belonging to the DMK were in bed with the nefarious elements all along. Even if they deny their links now, it must be noted that both the DMK and the Karuppar Koottam subscribe to the same school of thought, the one that idolizes the anti-Hindu bigot E.V. Ramasamy Naicker (known as ‘Periyar’ by his followers).

For the uninitiated, here is some context. Karuppar Koottam was a YouTube channel run by a group of ‘Periyarists’, Communist ideologues and DMK sympathizers. They had indulged in targeted attacks against Hindus posting videos abusing Hindu Gods, Hindus and Brahmins for a long time under the garb of ‘rationalism’.

The Karuppar Koottam Shenanigans

In the series titled “Aabasa Puranam” (Porn Puranam), members of the Karuppar Kootam had used vulgar language against Hindu Gods like Murugan, Saraswathi, Brahma, etc.

In one of the videos, they abused Lord Murugan revered in Tamil Nadu as the Tamil God, by making derogatory references to Kandhasashti Kavasam, a hymn dedicated to Lord Muruga that echoes in every Hindu’s home and temples in Tamil Nadu.

In another video titled “Saraswathi Puranam” , Surendar Natarajan, a member of the Karuppar Kootam had said “You say Saraswathi sits in the tongue of Brahma.. If we ask, where will Saraswathi go when she needs to pee or has a bad stomach.. they don’t have an answer. You told she is in the tongue, shouldn’t you also say you also have built a toilet in Brahma’s mouth?”

https://twitter.com/_abhimanyu6_/status/1282311328439259137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1282311328439259137%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecommunemag.com%2Fkaruppar-koottam-dk-dmk-communist-evr%2F

In another video, Surendar Natarajan while talking about Ramayana made vile references to Tamil Sage Poet Kambar, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman.

https://twitter.com/BenzMathe/status/1281947820140814336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1281947820140814336%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecommunemag.com%2Fkaruppar-koottam-dk-dmk-communist-evr%2F

Sirpi Rajan, another member of the Karuppar Kootam gang in a video showing magic tricks, had used Hindu children and mocked at their beliefs. Sirpi Rajan had even cut the religious thread tied in the hand of a boy saying that if the God’s thread is more powerful, the scissors will break.

These videos are now unavailable as the channel itself has been taken down.

On July 15, one Senthilvasan Muthusamy was arrested by the Central Crime Branch after cases were registered from different quarters for their vile and abusive video on Hindu God Murugan.

Surendar Natarajan of Karuppar Koottam had surrendered at the Ariyankuppam police station in Puducherry on July 16 and was charged under the Goondas Act.

The Karuppar Koottam Behind The Karuppar Koottam

It is alleged that the channel enjoyed the patronage of Haseef Mohamed, Senior Correspondent of News18 Tamil Nadu and other journalists associated with Centre of Media Persons for Change (CMPC), an extension of communists and DK groups.

Members belonging to DK, DMK, VCK and the Communist parties were frequent guests hosted by the channel. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, DK ideologue Suba Veerapandian were just some of the people who had expressed their support for Karuppar Koottam after Maridhas, a YouTuber, took them head on in the video about News 18 Tamil Nadu and their alleged links with Karuppar Koottam.

https://twitter.com/MaduraiThimiru/status/1282598565605339136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1282598565605339136%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecommunemag.com%2Fkaruppar-koottam-dk-dmk-communist-evr%2F

Sundaravalli, a member and spokesperson of Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Surendar Natarajan in one of the videos had discussed about Hindu Puranas spewing venoms against Hindu Gods. Sundaravalli claiming to have read the Saiva Thirumurais (hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva) had said in the video that the Thirumurais have porn in them. “Asinga asingama irukum, kevalam kevalama irukun!” (They are so gross and disgusting), Sundaravalli had said. She would go on to state that Puranas are the epitome of porn. She had also stated in the video that their primary mission is to break Hindus by attacking the Hindu scriptures.

DMK, The Real Karuppar Koottam 

When the controversy took the state by storm, the DMK sensing the public ire stated that they had nothing to do with Karuppar Koottam. Tiruchirapalli West DMK MLA K.N. Nehru had in a statement denied any connection between the party and Karuppar Koottam and blamed certain ‘politically ignorant’ people for carrying out a false propaganda. On July 18, during a press meet, DMK Rajya Sabha MP RS Bharathi said that the DMK was no way linked to the rabid Youtube channel. He added that a false campaign was being done and also condemned denigration of Lord Murugan. He went on to recall Anna’s slogan of “Ondre Kulam Oruvane Devan” (One Community, One God).

However, pictures which emerged during the controversy clearly establishes the close relationship shared by Karuppar Koottam and the DMK. In fact, it had led to questions if whether the DMK IT wing was behind the channel itself.

Palanivel Thiagarajan DMK MLA from Madurai Central constituency and the head of DMK’s IT wing can be seen having a luncheon with some of the members of the Karuppar Koottam. This picture was uploaded in social media on 29th April 2019, ten days after the 2019 Lok Sabha General Elections in Tamil Nadu by none other than arrested member of the Karuppar Koottam gang Senthilvasan Muthusamy.

In another picture, Surendar Natarajan, the host of the show ‘Aabasa Puranam’ can be seen on top a campaign vehicle holding a mic and canvassing votes for the DMK.

In fact, a lawyer named Raj Thilak, affiliated to the DMK is the counsel representing the Karuppar Koottam. The counsel had submitted the bail petition for Senthilvasan Muthusamy before the Metropolitan Magistrate in Egmore, Chennai.

Raj Thilak is the son of Raja Elango who was the Public Prosecutor during the DMK regime. He is also working as a junior to DMK Rajya Sabha MP and advocate NR Elango.

RS.பாரதியின் போலி கண்டனம்,ஒருகோடி இந்துக்கள் திமுகவில் உள்ளனர் என்று மதக்கணக்கீடு,போலி மதச்சார்பின்மை வரிசையில் தற்போது #கருப்பர்கூட்டம் எனும் கடவுள் நிந்தனைக்கூட்டத்திற்கு வக்காலத்து வாங்க வக்கீலாய் வருபவர் திமுகவின் வழக்கறிஞர்,
இதற்காவது பதிலளிப்பாரா மக்களை ஏய்க்கும் @mkstalin pic.twitter.com/nhSTk0SvKj

— Raj Satyen – SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@satyenaiadmk) July 25, 2020

The fact still remains that the DMK chief MK Stalin has not spoken a word about Karuppar Koottam or condemned them for their derogatory videos against Hindu Gods and Hindus.

The Aftermath

After the Karuppar Koottam episode, Lord Murugan took centre stage in Tamil Nadu politics. The issue had led to a churn in the state with the BJP Tamil Nadu unit launching a state-wide Vel Yathrai in which BJP leaders headed by state unit President Dr. L. Murugan travelled to the six abodes of Lord Murugan. During that time, Dr. L. Murugan had urged the Tamil Nadu government to declare Thai Poosam as a state holiday which the Tamil Nadu government under CM Edappadi K Palaniswami did on January 5, 2021.

தமிழ்க் கடவுள் முருகப் பெருமானை சிறப்பித்து கொண்டாடப்படும் "தைப்பூசத் திருவிழாவை பொது விடுமுறை நாளாக அறிவிக்கவும், இனிவரும் ஆண்டுகளில் தைப்பூசத் திருவிழா நாளை பொது விடுமுறைப் பட்டியலில் சேர்க்கவும்" உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளேன். pic.twitter.com/WGOaT1IT2T

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) January 5, 2021

With the situation arising where the DMK cadres were not even able to convince their own relatives to vote for the DMK, many believers in the party deserted and joined the BJP. 150 members from 70 families of Arachalur village in Erode district who had traditionally voted for the DMK, including the local DMK leader Devaraj joined the BJP disappointed with the DMK leadership and its attitude towards the Hindus.

Since then, the DMK has been sweating over the rising Hindu consolidation in Tamil Nadu with many of its leaders trying to placate the Hindu voters.

Kanimozhi, the Thoothukudi MP and daughter of late DMK patriarch Karunanidhi, who had earlier said why there was a need for security in Thirupathi if Lord Balaji was all powerful, is now sporting vibudhi (sacred ash) and kumkum (vermilion) on her forehead.

She had recently said that DMK was the only party and M.K. Stalin was the only leader to give voice to the majority Hindus.

The DMK chief himself had upped the ante in order to shed his anti-Hindu image. At a DMK Gram Sabha meeting held in Ammaiyar Kuppam near Tiruttani, the DMK chief was presented with a silver Vel (spear weapon of Lord Murugan) by the party cadres. Reportedly, poojas were done to this silver Vel at the Tiruttani Murugan temple before presenting it to M.K. Stalin.

The party’s mouthpiece Murasoli on January 27, had even carried a front page headlined “Vetrivel! Veeravel!” with the above picture of Stalin elaborating how the DMK has never been an enemy for believers.

The DMK for long is a party known for hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus. With their links to Karuppar Koottam getting exposed, the DMK is now trying to cater to the Hindu vote bank by treading soft and appeasing them just before elections in the hope of attracting some Hindu votes. Amidst an already existing anti-DMK wave, the party is leaving no stone unturned to calm the waters so that they don’t get destroyed by an anti-DMK tsunami towards the elections.

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The post Never Forget, Never Forgive: This Thai Poosam, remember what the Karuppar Koottam did to Lord Murugan appeared first on The Commune.

The Kabaleeswarar temple tank in Mylapore, Chennai has witnessed inflow of water thanks to the sudden incessant rains that has been pouring in Chennai over the last couple of days. Notably, only last year, there was a serious deficit of water, becoming a cause of disappointment for those who had to celebrate Thai Poosam, which is considered as the birthday of Lord Murugan. In particular, the highlight of the event, which is the much-awaited theppam, was heavily missed by the devotees.

Chennai Rains : This is Mylapore temple tank in Chennai

Thunderstorms and heavy showers are expected to continue throughout the day. pic.twitter.com/4V9ncl9iwy

— IndSamachar News (@Indsamachar) January 5, 2021

This year, however, spells hope, as things look like they have taken a turn for the better. The Mylapore temple tank in Chennai was found to be receiving water from all sides as heavy showers lashed the city throughout the day.

In Temples, Special Abhishekam, Homam, Archana, Puja, Deeparadhanai will be held to Lord Murugan. Special Abhishekam will be done to Lord Muruga Moolavar and Uthsavar with milk, curd, panchamirtham, tender coconut, sandal, paneer, honey, fruit juices and other condiments amidst the chanting of Vedas during Thai Poosam.

At Palani Temple, one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, Thai Poosam is celebrated as a ten-day festival with great festivity and fervour.

(Image credits: TOI, Mylapore Times)

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Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami announced a state holiday for Thai Poosam on Tuesday. In a press release, he had mentioned how Murugan is one of the most revered Hindu gods and the importance of Thai Poosam for those who worship him. He added that the festival has been widely celebrated all over the world in countries like Malaysia and Singapore.

தமிழ்க் கடவுள் முருகப் பெருமானை சிறப்பித்து கொண்டாடப்படும் "தைப்பூசத் திருவிழாவை பொது விடுமுறை நாளாக அறிவிக்கவும், இனிவரும் ஆண்டுகளில் தைப்பூசத் திருவிழா நாளை பொது விடுமுறைப் பட்டியலில் சேர்க்கவும்" உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளேன். pic.twitter.com/WGOaT1IT2T

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) January 5, 2021

“The public from far and wide requested for Thai Poosam to be declared a public holiday whenever I travelled throughout the state. They also emphasised saying that it was already a holiday in countries like Sri Lanka and Mauritius. Hence, I announce that Thaipusam on January 28 will be a public holiday in the state and Thaipusam will be included in the public holiday calendar for the coming years,” he said in the release.

BJP Tamil Nadu President Dr. L. Murugan thanked CM Palaniswami for the move who during the month long Vel Yatrai urged the Tamil Nadu government to declare Thai Poosam as a state holiday.

பாஜக கோரிக்கையை ஏற்று தைப்பூச திருவிழாவை பொது விடுமுறை பட்டியலில் சேர்த்து விடுமுறை அறிவித்த தமிழக முதல்வருக்கு நன்றி !@CMOTamilNadu @blsanthosh @CTRavi_BJP pic.twitter.com/3zlYgJfJC7

— Dr.L.Murugan (@DrLMurugan) January 5, 2021

Lord Murugan has been in the news a lot off late, especially ever since Karuppar Kootam, a rabid YouTube channel run by ‘Periyarists’ with links to the DMK set off a storm by abusing Kandha Sashti Kavasam, a hymn dedicated to the Hindu God. BJP Tamil Nadu President L. Murugan hit the streets with his Vetri Vel Yatra recently in protest against the Karuppar Koottam and its backers. The BJP has alleged that DMK and its allies are behind the Karuppar Koottam.

Thai Poosam is widely acknowledged to be the birthday of Lord Murugan. Some legends acknowledge it as the day when Goddess Parvati handed over the vel to her son, Lord Murugan.

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