Main aspects of the Thai Poosam festival are Sakthi Malai (IRUMUDI), Velvi and jyothi Darshan (worshipping the divine flame). Sakthi Malai (Irumudi) involves Sakthis (devotees of Amma) putting the Sakthi malai (beaded garland with a blessed dollar coin) around their neck in their Mandrams and observe fasting and penance for 3-5 days. They then travel to the Siddhar peetam and complete their Irumudi by performing Abishegam (milk anointment) to the Swayambu.
Amma in Her oracle has said, “Those who sincerely think of ME and pray to ME, by wearing Sakthi Malai, observe fasting, doing Angapradhakshanam (circumambulation of the temple) at Siddhar Peetam and completely surrender themselves to me, will find their wishes fulfilled and problems solved.” Hundreds of thousands of devotees and their families have benefited by wearing Sakthi Malai and carrying Irumudi.
The main aspects of Thai Poosam festival as celebrated at Maruvathur by Arul Thiru Amma, consist of: Sakthi Malai and Iru MudiVelviJothi Darshan (lighting of the holy flame by Arul Thiru Amma. The Iru Mudi bundle which is carried by devotees, is a red coloured bag with two pockets, one of which is filled with pooja items including turmeric, kumkum, incence sticks, coconut, lime etc, and the other with rice grains. The people who carry this Iru Mudi wear Sakthi Malai and undertake various spiritual disciplines as a part of this process. The Iru Mudi period usually starts approximately two months prior to Thai Poosam, which falls around late January/early february (in the Gregorian calendar).
