The Ireland Murugan Temple in Monksland recently hosted a special ceremony in celebration of Aadi Pooram, a famous festival celebrated by the Hindu community across the world.
Aadi Pooram is a celebration by Hindu people during the month of Aadi (Tamil Calendar Month ). Aadi month falls in between July and August. The whole festival is considered to be an auspicious occasion because Aadi Pooram is the birthday of Goddess Aandal. It is the day at which she became a human on Earth and on that day the star was ‘Pooram’.
Pooram is one of the 27 stars of Tamil Astrology. Generally, according to Hindu custom and tradition, astrological factors are considered for a new start. Aadi Pooram is one such day with best astrological moments.
Aadi Pooram is celebrated grandly. Goddess Andal is decorated with silk saree and jewellery. Special Puja /Archana (prayers ) are said to Andal. Glass bangles are given as prasadam to the women devotees.
It is believed that the women receiving such glass bangles as prasadam shall be blessed with offspring. It is considered as a blessing to give the bangles to the pregnant women. For those women who already have children, the bangles are believed to ward off the evil and negativity.
The celebration, which was live streamed from start to finish, saw more than 250 devotees coming from all over the island of Ireland as well different cultures and communities who joined in the celebration.
Temple secretary, and event co-planner, Revi Velayudan was on hand to ensure the smooth running of the days procedures. Having been a chef in Ireland for more than 23 years, he said “we provide a meal every week and are grateful to anyone who wants to bring a dish to share. In our culture friends always share meals and that is what we want the temple to feel like to devotees, a safe place to come together with friends.”
After the event there was a celebration of devotee Venkat Ramji’s son’s first birthday. There was great joy at this celebration and the Baby Gokula Rakshan got a blessing from the Hindu priest and got well wishes from all of the attendees. As part of the Hindu culture, it is important to recognise birthdays and milestones and celebrate accordingly.
Ireland Murugan Temple is a non-profit organisation with charitable status. For more information on the Murugan Temple and the services offered please visit www.murugan.ie or the Ireland Murugan Temple Monksland Facebook page.
The hours of worship are each Saturday evening from 5pm to 7pm.
