Anchored by a large, colourful annual procession, Thaipusam sees
Hindu devotees in Singapore seeking blessings, fulfilling vows and offering thanks
. The festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Subramaniam (also known as Lord Murugan), the destroyer of evil who represents virtue, youth and power.
What is Thaipusam celebrating?
Thaipusam is a
festival celebrated by the Tamil devotees of Lord Kartikeya (Lord Murugan)
, the son of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. The festival is observed on the Pournami Tithi (Full Moon Day) in the Tamil month of Thai which concurs with the Makara month as per the Solar calendar followed in North India.
Why do we celebrate Thaipusam?
The Thaipusam significance lies in the
celebration of good over evil
. It signifies that good will always win over evil. Devotees celebrate this festival to celebrate the victory of Lord Murugan.
Why do Hindus Pierce during Thaipusam?
This ritual of self-sacrifice, and the trancelike state devotees enter into when their skin is being pierced, is intended
to defeat inner demons and gain Lord Murugan’s blessing
.
Why do we pour milk on Murugan?
Abhishegam is a Hindu ritual of pouring a sacred substance – in this case, milk – on the deity as an offering, while chanting mantras. The acceptance of the milk by Lord Murugan is an
acknowledgment of the devotee’s prayer
.
What do Thaipusam people eat?
- Paanagam.
- Thatta Payaru Sundal.
- Channa Dal Payasam.
- Payasam.
- Pongal.
- Aval/Poha dishes. Kolacha Poha. Poha with Potatoes and Peanuts.
How do they celebrate Thaipusam?
On the Thaipusam day, a
pilgrimage is taken by the devotees by shaving their heads and engaging in various acts of devotion
, notably carrying different types of kavadi or a pot of milk. Also, the mortification of flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is common.
Who celebrates Thaipusam Malaysia?
Thaipusam is the second largest Hindu festival in Malaysia and is celebrated in honour of
Lord Subramaniam, also
known as Lord Murugan. To mark this day of penance and thanksgiving, Hindus pierce their body with metal skewers and carry pots of milk on their heads along a four-kilometre procession.
Who is Lord Murugan?
Murugan,
chief deity of the ancient Tamils of South India
, son of the warrior goddess Korravai. He was later identified in part with the North Indian war god Skanda. His favourite weapon was the trident or spear, and his banner carried the emblem of a wild fowl.
How important is the festival celebration in a certain community?
Festivals contribute immensely to feelings of social cohesion. Many such celebrations
focus on cultural or ethnic topics
and seek to inform community members of their traditions. They involve community elders sharing stories and experiences; setting templates for maintaining unity among families.
Who takes in Thaipusam?
| Thaipusam தைப்பூசம் | Also called தமிழர் திருவிழா | Observed by Hindu Tamils, Hindu Malayalis, Hindu Tamil Sri Lankans, Hindu Tamil Malaysians, Hindu Tamil Singaporeans, Hindu Tamil Indonesians, Hindu Tamil Caribbeans, Hindu Tamil Fijians, and Hindu Tamil Mauritians | Type Ethnoreligious |
|---|
What time does Thaipusam end?
| Sunrise January 18, 2022 7:14 AM | Sunset January 18, 2022 6:00 PM | Poosam Nakshathram Begins January 18, 2022 4:37 AM | Poosam Nakshathram Ends January 19, 2022 6:42 AM | Place : Ujjain [ India ] See More |
|---|
Why do we give abhishekam milk?
The Milk Abhishekam done by Shiva devotees is believed to be
a symbolic representation of the epic episode helmed by the Devtas to express their gratitude to the mighty Lord Shiva
.
How do you fast for Thaipusam?
Those who are fasting can take
both milk and fruit in the morning and afternoon
. In the evening, it is advisable to go to the nearby Murugan Temple and worship Lord Murugan. You can take the offerings there. If you can, you can go to the temple in the morning and evening and worship Lord Murugan.
What is the significance of carrying kavadi?
The kavadi (“burden”) itself is a physical burden, the bearing of which is used by
the devotee to implore Murugan for assistance, usually on behalf of a loved one who is in need of healing
, or as a means of balancing a spiritual debt. Devotees process and dance along a pilgrimage route while bearing these burdens.
Why Murugan has 2 wives?
Symbolism. The presence of the two consorts is said to denote the dual nature of Murugan, as the god of heaven and earth. Devasena, the celestial wife, is married in a traditional arranged marriage while the
earthy Valli is won by Murugan
, resulting in a love marriage.
