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
— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@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 (@Murugan_TNBJP) 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.