Thaipusam

Thaipusam

As we are 1.5 days away from the infamous Thaipusam Festival, I thought I do a write on the festival for out steemians!

What is Thaipusam?
Nothing to do with Thailand but it is celebrated there too.

Thaipusam is widely celebrate by Hindus from south Indian decent (mainly Tamil Community) on the full month of Thai aka Tai month on the Tamil Calendar. Pusam aka Pushya refers to the star aka Nakshatra that is at the highest point during the festival.

It's a celebration with Lord Muruga, he is known as the universal granter of wishes. Thus devotees who wish to ask for a future favour, fulfil a vow in return for a granted favour, or to repent for past sins will participate in this festival.

In Malaysia there are 2 place this celebration are conducted at a grand!

1. Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur
2. Balathanda-yuthapani temple which is located on a hill in Penang

In the spirit of unity in Malaysia, this festive is celebrated jointly with people from other faith / religion. There has been growing followers of the Chinese, and Sikhs followers.

During this festive devotees pray for divine help and make vows. When their prayers are answered, they fulfil their vows.

Thaipusam has a number of meanings for Hindus, with the most spectacular and visible one being those that come to do penance for misdeeds or being unworthy of God. This penance takes the form of what look like incredibly masochistic feats of atonement such as seeing the endless procession of men who have attached limes, oranges or small silver urns to their backs and chests with hooks directly into their skin! Some add to this by attaching these hooks to rope which would be held by family members providing resistance and keeping these ropes taut against the devotee straining against it. Others wear enormous 'kavadi's' (meaning "suffering at every step"), which are basically ornately decorated shrines assembled upon a steel frame that is supported around the bearers waist. Many of these kavidis weigh from 100-150 lbs and upwards and also have to be manhandled up the steps into the temple above. Not all worship involves self inflicted pain, and many men and women make the walk to the Caves barefooted with a simple silver urn of fresh milk on their head in thanks for any children born that year.

Where?
Thaipusam is celebrated in countries with significant presence of tamil community such are India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Trinidad Tobago and Jamaica.

Various types of Kavadiis being carried to the Murugan temples (E.g Batu Caves)

Paal Koodam aka Pot of Milk

The view inside the cave after 272 step up at Batu Caves.

If you are free this Wednesday morning, do make a trip down to Batu Caves in KL or Balathanda-yuthapani in Penang, for a magnificent view of devotees, kavadis and the musics.

In Batu Caves, it's like a carnival, where you can try some amazing indian snack and sweet.