Fasts

It is important for mankind to pray and pray to his almighty, who blessesus always with all facilities be need to cherish in this world. This is really a big and sincere duty of God also. It is also foremost duty of mankind, because God has blessed only a mankind with commonsense. This helps him and what is correct and what is incorrect. But now a days we observe that man is failing in this duty of thinking about this almighty constantly because he is involved in manifold activities in this world and neglects regular prayers etc. This is true but wrong. Man can do one thing. It he can’t think and thank God his almighty always, he can at least choose certain hours always specially, for prayers. This is better than doing nothing.

Accordingly, our ancestors have chosen certain, suitable days for us to observe and practice divine duties. These days are called as “VIRATHANGAL”. On this day, we have to forgo our food and other pleasures and concentrateour mind only in prayers. This is one of the foremost duties. In other words, we can show oursincerity and faith to our creator by observingViratham, “Thavam” and “Nonbu”. These are words of similar meaning.

In other words to be brief the term “Viratham” can be explained as follows:- Foregoing our food item on the particular fasting day;and individual must control his feelings and prayer to the great God Shiva whole heartedly. This is the essence of fasting. This is the leads for the betterment of the soul. This fasting is considered to be one the seven Punniyams by which our soul is purified, also our heart and body.

SIVAVIRATHANGAL

Sivavirathangal are as followes:
(1) Shivaraththiri Viratham
(2) Pirathosah Viratham
(3) Somavaraa Viratham
(4) Thiruvathirai Viratham
(5) UmaMaheswara Viratham
(6) Keethara Viratham
(7) Kalyanasunresa Viratham
(8) Soola Viratham
(9) Idapa Virtham

SIVARATHIRI VIRATHAM

Raathri denotes dark nights. But in deep Rathri means and denotes he period when the Great God controls and stops all creations, concerning the living beings of the entire world, during which time there will be no movements at all. This period is called or named as “Sarvasankarakalam” “Peralayakalam” Uli Mudivu and etc. As night time is normally silent without any activities. During Ulikkalam too, all souls stay action less; Thanu, Karana, Puvana, Pookam too stay still and soundless. During this so called period, Lord Shiva maintains silence without any sort of creations. This night varies from normal night and that is the reasonwhy this particular night is named as “Sivarathri”

Then again at the end of this Ulikkalam Lord creates a new world again, here He takes the form of a bright Lingham and brings to life Lalithadevy in the form of Shakthi, who prays to the Lingham. Then Lord Shiva appears in the form of Illigootpavar and creates Bhirema the creator and then Bhirema starts his duty creation known as “Shirushady”. This is the specially of the night.Sivarathri, which occurs in the month of February at Sathurthy midnight which is highly and specially celebrated with Poojas to Ilingootpavar. Sincere devotees of Lord Shiva celebrate this auspicious night with Pooja and fasting thru out the day and night, evading sleep to in the night time. This is known as the holy Sivarathri.

How to observe Sivarathri Viratham

It is proper and ideal to all Saivaits to observed this above mentioned Viratham. The auspicious and proper day to observe Sivarathri to falls in the month of February, Sathuthasi Thithy. During the whole day the devotees must fast and during the whole night must keep away from sleep; this night worship can be spent in Shivan temple in praying to Lord Shiva. This is a valuable and proper day for the Saivasts to spend in prayers worshipping Shiva and Shiva alone. On the Sivarathri day in the night during the 1st part of the night the Sivalingam must bathed with milk, 2nd part of the night curd, 3rd part of the night ghee and on the 4th part of the night honey. Vilva Pathram must be used in the so called Pooja time, because Vilvapathra Pooja gives a lot of benefits to the devotees. During the night, poojamust be alone to Vinayagar and Sandeswarar too.Also it is welcomable for a devotees to recite Sivapuranam.Also the Saiva devotees must keep awake at least till midnight on this particular day, Sivarathri and worship Lingootbhavar.

The observers of this Viratham Sivarathri can have their means only the next day morning after prayer to God Shiva.

The great benefit of this Viratham is that the blessing of Lord Shiva will delete all the sins of the devotees and blessing with all worldly pleasures of this birth.

The details of the four Poojas during the Sivarathri night in four intervals.

The suitable thinks to be used.

Night	Flowers	Pathiram	Fruits	Theepam	Vetham to be recited
1st night	Lotus, Alari	Vilvam	Plantin	Saambirani	Irukkuveda
2nd night	Senbaam, Lotus, Senkalneer	Thuslashi, Vilvam	Jack	Sandal	Yasur
3rd night	Aththipoo, Pichpoo	Mokkilivai, Vilvam, Aruhu	Mathulampalam	Kunkiliyam	Saamaveda
4th night	Nanthiyaveddai	–	Palathum	Camphor	Atharvam

PIRATHOSA VIRATHAM

Prathosa time occurs both in Valarpirai and Theipirai that is ascending moon and descending moon – Thirayotha Thithi after one and a half hours before and after sunset observers of this Viratham have to start on the “Sani” Pirathosam in one of the following months. The months are as follows:-October, November, April and May.

Before the auspicious hour of the day of Pirathosa Viratham the devotees must bathe early in the morning, after Sivapoosai he must go to the temple pray and then the auspicious hour is over he can have his meals along with the other Shiva devotees. Worshipping Nanthithevar at this time is a must, because it is said in the Purenas that all holy rivers come to worship Nanthithevar at this holy occasion. It is also said that while praying the devotees must look at the Moolmurthy between the two horns of Nanthithevar.

Lord Shiva blesses the worshippers in the form of holy water that is the so called holy rivers. Worship Nanthithevarduring this time will blesses the devotees to get rid of their sins and there by the souls of the worshipers are purified.

It is the great blessing of Lord Shiva to make devotees to worship Him at this Pirathosa auspicious hour thereby, they are purified from all their sins.The Priathadchanam done by the worshippers at the Pirathosa hour is named as “Somasooththira Prathatchanam”.

It is also very very important for the devotee to avid the following during the auspicious hour (that is the Pirathosa time)
(1) Eating
(2) Sleeping
(3) Applying oil
(4) Bathing
(5) Reading books.

The benefits the above said Viratham are one can become free from fear Disease, Poverty, Sins and Loans.

THIRUVATHIRAI VIRATHAM

This Viratham is observed in the month of December on Thiruvathirai day; owning to this Lord Shiva called as Aathiraiyan special Poojas are offered to Nadesa Peruman on this Thiruvathirai day. Observing this viratham at Chithamparam, is really worth. A big crowd of Shiva devotees visit this temple at Chithamparam on this Thiruvathirai day. Worshipping Nadesaperuman on this day is known as Aaruthira Tharisanam.

The word “Aaruthra” denotes Aathirai, full day time fasting is beneficial on this particular day. The specialty of this Viratham is described in “Upathesakandam” in the Sanskrit publication named as “Sankara Sangithai”

This Sanskrit edition is translated in to Tamil by Kooneriappa Mudiliyar, student of Kachchiappa Sivachchariyar.

THEVY VIRATHANGAL

Thevy Virathams are as follows:-
(1) Friday
(2) October Uththaram
(3) Navarathiri

During the October month the sun takes its position in Kanni Rasi. During October from Valarpirai Pirthamai up to Navami the 9 days in between Devy is worshipp in Kumba Pooja. The Addami Thithi that occurs during the period is named as Mahaaddami and this particular Navami is named as Maha Navami. So, this Noanpu is specially called as Maha Nonpu or Devy Nonpu.

All Devy worshippers observe this viratham or nonbu with a specialty; to be in details during the 1st 3 nights of Navarathri goddess Thurkka is worship Thurkka blesses us with valour the following 3 nights Luxmi the goodness of wealth is worship the last 3 days Saraswathy Devy the deity of knowledge is worship. Saraswathy Devy blesses the devotees with knowledge and education. Those who observe this viratham must have oil bath on Pirathamai and can start the same. The 1st eight days the devotees must take only one means during the day time. On the 9th day, the devotees must not take any means thro out the day. During these nine days it is proper to recite the following.

Apirami Anthathy and Sakalakala Vallimaalai

The 10th day is called as “Wiyayathasami” on which auspicious day we be start education for the small children for the 1st time which is called as “Eaedu Thodakkal” the two types of flowers.

Kaungu and Mahil and the following Nivethanam such as Vadai, Thenkulal and Seasame balls are the special Nivethanams for the Navarathri Poooja season. The devotees of Devy this expected to be blessed with wealth and all pleasure.

VIRATHANGAL FOR LORD VINAYAGAR

The following are the auspicious days for Lord Vinayagar:-
(1) Vinayara Sathurththi
(2) Vinayaga Sashdi and
(3) Fridays

Vinayaga Sathurththi Viratham

Every month, Valar Pirai Sathuthi Thithy is a suitable day for the above mentioned Viratham. Puranangal says that this viratham gives more benefits than the other virathms of Lord Vinayagar. On this particular night it is strictly forbidden to looking at the new moon. The day time must be spent in fasting and temple worship. In the night Mothakam and Kolukaddai God Vinayar, after which the devotees can have their dinner. On this occasion Arugampul, must be used in the pooja, which gives a lot of benefits to the devotee.

Subramanya Virtham

The specialty in Muruga Peruman is his youth and beauty. Subramaniyan is one of his names. The following three, are the virathams specially meant for him.
(1) Vellikkilamai Viratham
(2) Karththikai Viratham
(3) Kanthasashdi Viratham

Vellikkilamai Viratham

Sukkiravaram is another name of Vellikilamai. This viratham starts from first Friday of October and follows only Friday only same month, on the day worth, if the devotees forgo their day time meals, and in the night they can have fruits for their dinner.

In case of inability the devotees can have one time meals during the day time. This viratham ought to continue for three years’ time. Winding up this Viratham the Kiriyai called Uththiyapanam is a must. This particular Kriyai will bless the devotee with health and wealth the last Friday of October is the proper day for Uththiyapanam.

KARTHIKAI VIRATHAM

This Viratham is to be started in the month of Karththikai, on Karththiai Nadchchathiram. This Viratham is meant for Murugapperuman. Karthhtikai is known as Kiruththikai also. One who is observes this Viratham can take one time meals on the previous day that is Parani and on the next day that is Karththikai, after special Pooja with no meals at all the throughout the day; the next day that is on Rohini Nadchchathira day, the devotee, can have meals in the early morning. If not the devotee can have fruits in the night of Karththikai day. This must be observed continuously for 12 years.

History says that Harichandran, Anthimaan and Chanthimaan benefitted high powers by observing this Viratham.

Anthimaan and Chanthimaan are described as Idaiealu Vallalkal.

KANTHACHASHDI VIRATHAM

This Viratham is observed in the month of October, on the Pirathamai following the New moon; Amavassai. This is observed for 6 days starting from the 1stChasdi Thithy throughout the 6 days the observer of this must be holy and take in only little amount of water – no meals, at all and on the 7th day, he can have meals in the early morning along with other Murugan devotees.

If this not possible this devotee can have one time meals during the 5 days and on the 6th day no meals at all. This can be observed continually for 6 years. In India Thiruchenthoor Murugan Temple is the best place to stay and observe this Viratham. In Sri Lanka the following temples are suitable:-
(1) Maviddapura Kanthasway Kovil
(2) Nallur
(3) Chelvasannithy
(4) Colombo Company Road Sivasubramaniyaswamy Temple

The background story behind this Viratham is as follows:-

Puranam says thus :

On the Pirathamai Thithy 6 fire sparks sprang from Lord Shiva’s forehead, fell in to Saravana Poiykai and turned into six babies. Godess Uma hugged the babies with love and at the instant they turned into one body with 6 faces and 12 hands. This is the birth of Lord Murugan. This holy day is called Kandtha Chasdi as Kantha Puranam in its, Upathes Kaandam says, Kantha Chasdi is the day on which Murugan Soorapathuman. It is also said that Devas observed this Viratham and benefitted and was blessed a great dial by Lord Murugan.