When the moon is full on the tenth month of the Hindu calendar, the Tamil celebrate Thaipusam, a major Hindu festival in honor of Lord Murugan. In 2013, the Thaipusam will fall on January 27. Devotees come together for a procession, carrying signs of their devotion and gratitude.
Lord Murugan is the son of the god Shiva and his wife Parvati, and was sent to help defeat the demon Soorapadam using a “vel”, which is a spear or a lance. Thaipusam is a holiday of thanksgiving and celebrates the victory of good versus evil.
To the Hindus, Lord Murugan represents youth, power and virtue. He is also revered as a “granter of favors”. In these celebrations, his devotees not only show their thanks, but also come to offer prayers and ask for blessings.
Burdens for blessings
Lord Murugan’s devotees show their respects by carrying physical burdens called kavadi. Offering one to Lord Murugan is believed to bring peace and good luck.
The typical kavadi is a small arch structure made of wood. It is covered on the sides with peacock feathers and is carried on the devotee’s shoulders. Simple offerings such as pots of milk are also offered.
Some of the kavadi are elaborate creations that can reach several feet high, and their bearers insert small lances (also called “vel”) and hooks on the body.
Long Preparation
The preparation of kavali bearers for Thaipusam begins weeks before the day of the celebration. Strict vegetarian diet must be followed, along with living a life of abstinence. This allows the devotee’s body and mind to be cleansed and give them the strength to fulfill the task of carrying the kavali without pain. Family and friends walk alongside the bearer for support and encouragement.
Outside the Tamil community of South India, Thaipusam is widely celebrated in the countries of Singapore and Malaysia by Tamil communities. It is a holiday for both countries, and is one of the more popular events that draws not just devotees but also onlookers and tourists.
Singapore Celebrations
The Thaipusam chariot procession in Singapore kicks off early in the morning from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in the Little India district. Visitors staying in a downtown Singapore hotel will have a front sit to this unique celebration. Devotees make their walk of faith to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road, 4.5 km away. The first devotees of the procession carry milk pots and simple wooden kavadi. Some devotees take to piercing their cheeks and tongues as their burden. The devotees bearing the more elaborate kavadi make the walk later in the day.
The colorful procession is accompanied by music and the sounds of devotees chanting as they walk along.
Malaysia Celebrations
Thaipusam is a public holiday in several states in Malaysia including Selangor, Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur. The biggest celebration happens in the Batu Caves which is considered by the Malaysian Hindus as one of the holiest places in Malaysia that is associated with their faith.
Small shrines can be found around the hill where the caves are located, but the temple dedicated to Lord Muruga can be found in the biggest cave of Batu. The procession begins very early in the morning at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur. It is an eight mile hike from the city to the caves, and the procession takes around eight hours to complete. Devotees then climb the 272 steps of the caves, carrying their offerings and shouting “Vel! Vel! Vel!” as they go. Kavadis and other offerings are left at the temple, near the feet of Lord Murugan’s statue.
In Penang, devotees start the 10 hour procession from Nattukottai Chettair Temple at Thaipusam eve, and arrive early in the morning at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple.
Other South East Asian Countries
While a major holiday in Singapore and Malaysia, it passes by quietly in other countries in the SE Asia region. However, it does not mean that it is not celebrated by devotees residing in these countries, but most likely in a smaller and less grandiose scale.
Photo by beggs
