The Purana of Skanda
Named for Skanda, also called Kartikeya or Murugan; the largest of the eighteen major Puranas.
A very large Purana of shrines, vows and legends, with many chapters on festivals and holy places. Tamil retellings such as the Kanda Puranam draw on it.
Charanamrit, or Padodaka, is the sacred water and Panchamrit that has washed the deity's feet during Abhishekam. Received with both hands, it is held to cleanse sin and remove spiritual ailments.
Maha Shivratri is the dark fourteenth night of Magha, kept with a fast and vigil. The article sets out the Shiva Purana's rite and which stories came later.
Narasimha Jayanti marks the appearance of the man-lion on the bright fourteenth of Vaishakha. This article sets out the day, the Bhagavata story, and what is custom.
Full moon and new moon mark the two climactic points of the lunar cycle, one turned toward radiant celebration and the other toward stillness and ancestors.
Somwar Vrat, the Monday fast, is consecrated to Shiva as Someshwara. Worship through Jalabhishek, Bilva offerings, and Om Namah Shivaya brings mental peace, marital harmony, and spiritual grace.
Thaipusam is Murugan's festival on the Pusam star near the full moon of Thai. This article sets out the day, what tradition and the early Tamil texts say, and what is custom.