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| Thaipusam, the most unique and extreme festival I have ever seen in my life |
1. What is Thaipusam?
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival, celebrated by the Tamil (Hindu) community in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
Origin of the word: Thai refers to the Tamil month of Thai, Pusam means star.
2. When is it celebrated?
It is celebrated every year according to the Tamil calendar, on the full moon day of the Thai month. It normally falls on January or February. The expected date of the next year is 23 January 2016.
3. Who can participate on it?
As far as I know, there is no age an gender limit. Only your medical conditions can be determining. In Singapore there is one restriction, for children under 16 are allowed to carry milk pot (*paal kudam and paal kavadi), no spikes and extreme acts permitted to them.
Enthusiastic participation of Chinese devotees are not a rare sight either.
As a wanderer, anybody can witness this awesome festival, but don't forget your cameras behind only your shoes outside before entering the temple.
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| Chinese devotees |
4. What is the significance of this festival?
The festival honors Lord Murugan (-also known as Subramaniyan or Kartikeya) the God of War, who represents youth and virtue. Son of Shiva, being worshiped predominantly in areas with Tamil influences, often referred as the God of Tamils (Tamil Kadavul).
Thaipusam is a commemoration of Murugan's VICTORY over the evil Soorapadman.
5. Thaipusam dictionary:
-Vel: means spear, a divine javelin. Lord Murugan defeated the evil by the vel which was presented to him by his mother, Goddess Parvati. "Vel! Vel! Vetrivel" (victorious spear) line can be repeatedly heard during the festival.
-Kavadi: Literally the kavadi can be translated as a harness or a wooden yoke. During the Thaipusam devotees carrying mostly "vel kavadi" which is a portable altar. Kavadis may differ according to shape, size and material. The dance performed by kavadi-bearers called "Kavadi attam".
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| This red and white kavadi was my favorite, it looks like a Singapore flag :D |
*-Paal kudam and paal kavadi: Paal means milk, kudam means pot(milk pot). Children are carrying small altars called paal kavadi.
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| Kid with a paal kudam on her head |
-Thaal alagu: "beautiful paper"
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| The picture on the top of this kavadi called thaal alagu. |
6. What are the main customs devotees follow before and during Thaipusam?
-Vegetarian or sattvic diet for about one month before the event
-24 hours prior the date they must maintain a complete fast
-regular prayers
-head shaving
-carrying Kavadi (which can be as heavy as 80 kg) represents their form of devotion
-pierce tongue, spike cheeks and back, hanging lemons and small coconuts on them
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| A very popular form of decoration with limes |
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| Devotee with pierced tongue and cheeks carrying spike kavadi |
7. Permissible and non permissible acts in Singapore during Thaipusam:
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| Extreme forms of devotion are not permitted in Singapore |
8. What are the main highlights of the Thaipusam festival in Singapore?
Silver Chariot Procession, day before the Thaipusam.
The next day devotees start their walk early morning with the milk pots, and the preparation of the kavadis and undergo piercing and other rituals before leaving the temple to take their 5 km walk to the another temple.
9. What are the venues of the Thaipusam festival in Singapore? When and where should I go not to miss anything?
The Chariot Procession begins at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple to Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar temple, day before the Thaipusam, early morning. I suggest an evening walk with the chariot, when it's taken back on the same day from Chinatown to the Tank road.
Temple addresses:
-Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar temple: near Outram Park mrt station, at 73 Keong Saink Rd;
-Sri Thendayuthapani Temple: near Fort Canning Park, at 15 Thank Rd.
Useful tips:
From there just join a group of kavadi-bearers leaving the temple to walk to the Sri Thendayuthapani temple. In case you are not interested in walking 5 km with them, can cut off the route anytime.
The final destination can be reached from Dhoby Ghaut (behind Istana Park), just follow the sight of Indian people walking towards the temple, that will show you the right direction.
10. Isn't it painful for them to get their cheeks and tongues pierced?
Well, it is hard to tell. Many of them are smiling even with the vel in their tongue, mouth and cheeks. The kavadi might be very heavy and can be painful too being attached to ones body with spikes. But I have never seen blood and even pain on them. They say, because of the different state of mind they reach during the fast and meditation helps them to endure the pain.
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