DISCOVER TAMILNADU
Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati is worshipped in Tamil Nadu on Thai Pusam. Special Poojas and festivities take place on this Poosam day in the Murugan Temples of Palani, Thiruttani, and also at the Vandiyur Mariamman Temple (near Madurai). Many temples have the boat festival (theppa utsavam) on this day when the Lord would be coming out over a float on the temple pond.
As a mark of dedication and respect, people engage in "fire walk"- walk over a path of burning coal. They exit the path miraculously without being scorched, signifying Kartikeyas everlasting protection.
