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Chicago celebrates Thanga Murugan Vizha
The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, inaugurated in 1986 in Lemont, IL, houses multiple shrines, including those for Rama, Ganesha, Shiva, and Durga
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Avatans Kumar - Sun, 19, Apr 2026
- 03:05 EDT
- 24
The festival includes processions (Paal Kudam) and rituals, the Little Muruga Show, showcasing traditional Indian arts, and cultural performances by children and adults, and spiritual discourse. / Avatans Kumar
The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC) celebrated its 26th Thanga Murugan Vizha (TMV) festival. Often translated as the "Golden Murugan Festival," it is an annual devotional and cultural celebration dedicated to Lord Murugan (also known as Subramanya Swamy, Skanda, or Kartikeya). The event blends deep spiritual practices with vibrant cultural expressions from southern India. The festival draws hundreds of devotees from the Greater Chicago area, neighboring suburbs and towns, and cities from neighboring states and beyond.
The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, inaugurated in 1986 in Lemont, IL, houses multiple shrines, including those for Rama, Ganesha, Shiva, and Durga. TMV centers on the Murugan shrine (Sri Valli Devasena Sametha Subramanya Swamy), where devotees perform special pujas, processions, and abhishekams.
The festival includes processions (Paal Kudam) and rituals, the Little Muruga Show, showcasing traditional Indian arts, and cultural performances by children and adults, and spiritual discourse. The highlight of this year's event was Dr. Kannis Kannikeswaran's presentation.
Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kannikeswaran is an internationally acclaimed musician, composer, and scholar. He is widely recognized as a pioneer of the Indian American choral movement for his innovative blending of Indian ragas with Western orchestral arrangements. Kannikeswaran made a presentation from his critically acclaimed book Anubhuti, which reframes the legacy of the legendary composer Muthusvamy Dikshitar as a civilizational visionary.
Ramsundar Lakshaminarayanan, a member of the TMV organizing committee, said that from its humble beginnings to the milestone 25th anniversary and beyond, Thanga Murugan Vizha continues to light up the Lemont mandir with devotion, color, and joy. "Thanga Murugan Vizha at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago stands as a shining example of how the Indian diaspora sustains and enriches ancient traditions in new lands."
Nishant Limbachia said, "TMV was a bit more special for me this year. My wife and I were fortunate to attend the early morning Paal Kudam and Kaavadi for Bhagwan Muruga. The atmosphere was filled with chants of Vetrivel Muruganukku Arohara."
Limabachia is also one of the national convenors of INDICA, a non-profit organization focused on the Indian Knowledge Tradition. He said that his organization was honored to be one of TMV's sponsors.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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