Thaipusam - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated by Tamil communities around the world, but most prominently in Malaysia, Singapore, and Tamil Nadu, India.
- 2. The festival is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war, and is celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February).
- 3. Thaipusam is known for its unique and extreme acts of devotion, including piercing the skin with hooks, skewers, and spears as a form of penance and purification.
- 4. Devotees often undertake a physical and spiritual preparation leading up to Thaipusam, including fasting, prayer, and meditation.
- 5. The most famous Thaipusam celebration takes place at the Batu Caves in Malaysia, where hundreds of thousands of devotees gather to make the pilgrimage to the temple complex.
- 6. During the festival, devotees carry kavadis – elaborate structures adorned with decorations, flowers, and peacock feathers – on their shoulders as a symbol of their devotion and sacrifice.
- 7. Many devotees also shave their heads and walk barefoot to the temple, often enduring intense physical pain as they make their way up the steep steps to the caves.
- 8. Thaipusam is a time of great community spirit, with devotees often supported by family and friends who help carry their kavadis and provide emotional support during the grueling journey.
- 9. The festival culminates in a grand procession where the kavadis are offered to Lord Murugan as a form of thanksgiving and fulfillment of vows.
- 10. Thaipusam is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful festival that showcases the deep faith and devotion of the Tamil community to their gods and traditions.