Murugan Tuesday Vrat Katha

There is a narrative from ancient times. In a certain village in Tamil Nadu, a poor Brahmin named Kaushik lived with his family. He was an extremely religious, virtuous, and simple-natured person. Kaushik was a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, but there was a residence of various types of distress and difficulties in his life. His wife used to be unwell. His child was also very weak and there was a complete lack of grain etc. in his house. He had worshipped different deities but the solution to his problems was not occurring.

Seeing that Brahmin spending a distressed life, one day Lord Murugan himself, taking the form of an old ascetic (Sanyasi), came into that village for alms. Kaushik respectfully provided him with water and fruits and honored him. Pleased with his saintly service, the monk-Lord said - "O son! You observe the fast of Lord Murugan every Tuesday. He is the remover of distress (Sankatmochan). By his grace, all your distresses will surely be resolved soon."

Hearing the words of the saint-Maharaj, Kaushik asked - "O Mahatma! How should I perform this fast? Please describe its method."

Describing the ritual of Murugan Vrat, the saint-Maharaj said - "In the morning after bathing on Tuesday, wear clean clothes of red or yellow color. Establish a picture or idol of Lord Murugan in the puja-place of the house. Offer him 'Vel' or spear, peacock feather, bananas, and red hibiscus flowers. Thereafter, chant the 'Om Sharavanabhavaya Namah' mantra and recite the 'Murugan Sahasranama'. Consume fruits or sattvic food once in the fast. Finally, complete the fast by distributing bananas and jaggery to the poor or children." Describing the ritual of the fast in this way, Lord Murugan who came in the form of an ascetic vanished.

Kaushik and his wife started this fast regularly. By the effect of the fast, on the first Tuesday, the woman living in the neighborhood brought excellent food for all of them, who was the form of Goddess Mother Valli herself. On the third Tuesday, all the diseases of his wife were resolved and she became completely healthy. On the fifth Tuesday, his son's health started improving and interest in his education started increasing. On the eleventh Tuesday, Lord Murugan himself gave darshan to Kaushik in his dream and said - "O dear devotee! I am extremely pleased with your faith, loyalty, and devotion. All the distresses and sinful deeds of your life have ended. Whoever devotee observes this fast with faith, I will surely fulfill their desire."

Providing a blessing to Kaushik in this way, the Lord vanished. By the grace of Lord Murugan, Kaushik and his family began to spend life joyfully. Since that same time, Murugan Tuesday fast became popular in the entire world.

॥ Thus ends the Murugan Mangalavara Vrat Katha ॥