Thaipusam "Thaipoosam" is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on
the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai. It is mainly observed in countries where there
is a significant presence of Tamil community such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius
Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar The word Thaipusam is a combination of the
name of the month, Thai, and the name of a star, Pusam. This particular star is at its
highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave
Murugan a Vel "spear" so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. There is a misconception
among people that Thaipusam marks Murugan's birthday; however, it is believed that Vaikhasi
Vishakam, which falls in the Vaikhasi month, is Murugan's birthday.
Origin Skanda was created during one of the battles
between the Asuras and the Devas. At one point, the latter were defeated several times by
the former. The Devas were unable to resist the onslaught of the Asura forces. In despair,
they approached Shiva and entreated to give them an able leader under whose heroic leadership
they might obtain victory over the Asuras. They surrendered themselves completely and
prayed to Shiva. Shiva granted their request by creating the mighty warrior, Skanda, out
of his own power or Achintya Shakti. He at once assumed leadership of the celestial forces,
inspired them and defeated the Asura forces and to recognise that day the people created
the festival, Thaipusam. Skanda Puranam
According to Skanda Puranam, the legend of Murugan, and Thirupugal which are divine verses
on Murugan, adhere to Shaivam principles.Murugan is the embodiment of Shiva's light and wisdom
and devotees pray to him to overcome the obstacles they face, as He is the divine vanquisher
of evil. The motive of Thaipusam festival is to pray to God to receive his grace so
that bad traits are destroyed. Kaavadi
Kavadi cavadee Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship
of Murugan, the Tamil God of War. It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam
and emphasises debt bondage. The Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees
implore for help from the God Murugan. Generally, Hindus take a vow to offer a kavadi
to idol for the purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity. For instance, if
the devotee's son is laid up with a fatal disease, he would pray to Shanmuga to grant
the boy a lease of life in return for which the devotee would take a vow to dedicate a
kavadi to Him. Preparations
Devotees prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting approximately
48 days before Thaipusam. Kavadi-bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time
of assuming the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Murugan. The kavadi-bearer
observes celibacy and take only pure, Satvik food, once a day, while continuously thinking
of God. On the day of the festival, devotees will
shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various
acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi. At its simplest this may
entail carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue
or cheeks with vel skewers is also common. The simplest kavadi is a semicircular decorated
canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders, to the temple. In addition,
some have a small spear through their tongue, or a spear through the cheeks. The spear pierced
through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from
speaking and gives great power of endurance. Celebrations
In Palani, Tamil Nadu, India, Thousands of devotees flock to Palani and attend kavadi.
According to palani.org, "The number of kavadis reaching Palani for Thai Pusam is about 10,000.
For Pankuni Uttiram, 50,000 kavadis arrive. It is kavadi to your right, kavadi to your
left, kavadi in front of you, kavadi behind you, kavadi above you and kavadi below you."
In Vadalur, Saint Vallalar(Ramalinga Adigalar) established Sathya Gnana Sabai(Lotus Temple).
He kept 7 Screens and Camphor lighted Jothi every thaipusam day at 6am, 10am, 1 pm, 7
pm, 10 pm, and the next day 5:30 in this temple. Every monthly Pusam day 7 pm half screen Jothi
Darshan performing. This was established in the year 1872, which is the Arutperumjothi
Darshan. It can be seen monthly once and yearly six times only, on the state Government Declare
local Holiday for the cudalore district. In Haripad Subramayawsami Temple, Alapuzha,
Kerala is famous for Kavadiyattom.Almost 5000 kavadis coming to the temple from many temples
in the locality. garga In Keezhattingal Subrahmanya swamy Temple,
Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram, 10000 kavadis coming to the temple from many various temples
in the localitty. In Vaikom, Kerala, India, Thai Pusam festival
is conducted with Kaavadis at Udayanapuram Subramanya temple. Devotees take panchamritha
kaavadi, paal kaavadi, bhasma kaavadi, etc. In Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India,
Thai Pusam festival is conducted at Satyavageeswara temple. The utsava moorthy is taken in procession
on a vahanam. There is nel(Paddy)parai alappu or Nel alavu, as a ritual performed for good
luck and prosperity. In Cheriyanad Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Chengannur,
Alappuzha District, Kerala, India, Thai Pusam is celebrated with more than 500 Kavadis.
The rituals are followed in strict manner.
In Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Thai Pusam festival is conducted at Nallur Kandhasamy Temple.
Many Tamil devotees irrespective of religion take part in celebrations. Even Tamils from
Roman Catholic faith and Muslims take part in Thai Pusam celebrations and take Kavadis.
Outside Tamil Nadu The largest Thaipusam celebrations take place
in Mauritius, Malaysia and Singapore. It is a public holiday in several states in Malaysia,
including Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Penang, Perak, Kedah, Johor, Negeri Sembilan.
Thaipusam in Malaysia Batu Caves
In Malaysia, the temple at Batu Caves, near Kuala Lumpur, often attracts over one million
devotees and tens of thousands of tourists. The procession to the caves starts at the
Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur in the heart of the city and proceeds for 15
kilometres to the caves, an 8-hour journey culminating in a flight of 272 steps to the
top.Devotees carry containers containing milk as offering to Lord Murugan either by hand
or in huge decorated carriers on their shoulders called 'kavadi'. The kavadi may be simple
wooden arched semi-circular supports holding a carrier foisted with brass or clay pots
of milk or huge, heavy ones which may rise up to two metres, built of bowed metal frames
which hold long skewers, the sharpened end of which pierce the skin of the bearers torso.
The kavadi is decorated with flowers and peacock feathers imported from India. Some kavadi
may weigh as much as a hundred kilograms. After bathing in the nearby Sungei Batu, the
devotees make their way to the Temple Cave and climb the flights of stairs to the temple
in the cave. Devotees use the wider centre staircase while worshippers and onlookers
throng up and down those balustrades on either side. When the kavadi bearer arrives at the
foot of the 272-step stairway leading up to the Temple Cave, the devotee has to make the
arduous climb. Priests attend to the kavadi bearers. Consecrated ash is sprinkled over
the hooks and skewers piercing the devotees' flesh before they are removed. No blood is
shed during the piercing and removal. Penang
Thaipusam is celebrated at Tannirmalai Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple in George Town.
It is one of the main events in Penang. On the eve of Thaipusam, a silver chariot with
the statue of Lord Muruga is led on a procession, accompanied by Chettiar kavadis or devotees,
carrying peacock feathers. The procession usually starts at 6.00am departing from Kovil
Veddu at Market Street and travelling through Chulia Street, Victoria Street, Prangin Road
Ghaut, C.Y. Choy Road, Magazine Road(KOMTAR), Datuk Keramat Road, Irving Road, Jalan Utama
and Waterfall Road on its route. It reaches the Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple at Waterfall
Road at about midnight, culminating a 15-hour journey . On the eve day, coconuts are smashed
on the roads before the chariot to symbolise the shattering of one's ego in the pursuit
of self-realization. In addition, devotees also make offerings of fruits, flowers and
incense to the Lord Muruga in the Silver Chariot.On Thaipusam Day, devotees undertake a pilgrimage
from the Lorong Kulit temple to the Thannirmalai Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple. It is
located high on a hill. Carrying kavadis can be an act of penance or fulfilment of a vow
done to develop spirituality. The kavadis can take the form of Paal Kudam as offerings
to god or in the form of physical endurance by piercing the cheeks, tongue, or skin on
the body with hooks and Vel skewers. The Thannirmalai Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple can accommodate
up to 800,000 devotees for the annual Thaipusam Festival. Devotees need to climb over 500
steps to reach the hilltop temple. This is more than the 272 steps at the famous Batu
Caves. Upon reaching the temple, devotees will fulfill their vows, offer thanksgiving
prayers and penance to Lord Muruga.On the next day, the silver chariot with Lord Muruga
makes a return trip to Kovil Veedu at Market Street from the Nattukottai Chettiar Murugan
Temple . The return trip from the Waterfall temple lasts from 6.00 pm until dawn the next
day. It takes a different route back, passing through Waterfall Road, Gottlieb Road, Jalan
Tunku Abdul Rahman, Cantonment Road, Macalister Road, Anson Road, Burmah Road, Transfer Road,
Sri Bahari Road, Penang Road, Campbell Street, Buckingham Street, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling,
Chulia Street, Queen Street, China Street, Beach Street and Market Street. On this day,
the same activities that were carried out on the eve of Thaipusam are carried out again
along the route of the procession.During this three-day celebration, one can find over 100
beautifully decorated stalls erected along Western Road and Gottlieb Road. These stalls
sell traditional Indian goods, souvenirs, decorative items and snacks and refreshments.
Thunderous loud music, singing, dancing and the beating of drums can be seen and heard
from afar throughout the festival. This is a festival of rich culture and deep tradition
in Penang. Thaipusam in Singapore
In Singapore, Hindu devotees start their procession at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in the
early morning, carrying milk pots as offerings or attaching "kavadis" and spikes pierced
on their body. The procession travels for 4 kilometres before finishing at Tank Road,
Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. On the previous day, the deity Lord Sri Thendayuthapani
is taken on a procession in the Silver Chariot to Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar temple and returns
in the evening followed by Chettiar Kavadies and other devotees. This event is popularly
called as Chetty Pusam in Singapore. On Thaipusam day, hundreds of devotees offer
prayers either by piercing their body with spikes and lemon, pulling a chariot or carrying
Kavadis from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. The devotees then offer their prayers and
fulfill their vows. The Vel in the sanctum is showered with milk continuously for hours.
Several Chinese devotees and people of other religion and races also come to fulfill their
vows on this day. Sri Thandayuthapani temple is celebrating
this festival in Singapore for more than hundred years with pomp and splendour. Annathanam
is provided from 12.30 pm to 4.00 pm on THAIPUSAM day, at the Chettiar Wedding Hall located
within the temple premises. Although rare, scenes of people from different
ethnic groups and faiths bearing "kavadi" can also be seen in Malaysia. Thaipusam is
also increasingly being celebrated by the ethnic Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore.
Similar festivals in other religions
Similar to Thaipusam festival of Tamil Hindus, is the Nine Emperor Gods Festival in southeast
Asia, and Tesagan Gin Je also called the Vegetarian Festival in Thailand. It is celebrated every
year, particularly in Phuket area of Thailand, where the participants pierce their bodies,
face, tongue with spikes and hold a procession. The purpose of this Chinese and Thai practice
is a mixture of veneration for their gods and ancestors.
In Philippines, Christians celebrate Penitencia as a festival where people pierce and flagellate
themselves to understand and express solidarity with the pain of Jesus Christ during his crucification.
See also Hinduism in Southeast Asia
Hinduism in Malaysia and Singapore Indians in Malaysia and Singapore
Thai Poosam Kavady in South Africa Notes and references
(1996) Pancorbo, Luis: "Los picados de Thaipusam" en "Fiestas del Mundo. Las máscaras de la
Luna". pp. 85–93. Ediciones del Serbal. Barcelona. ISBN 84-7628-168-4
External links Thaipusam Documentary
Thaipusam – Sabah,Malaysia Festival of Thaipusam
Little krishna 3D animation movie for Thaipusam 2011