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Thaipusam is a Hindu festival
celebrated in January or February annually. Thaipusam is actually derived from
thai which means "10th", and pusam meaning "when the moon is at
its brightest". It is thus celebrated when the moon is full in the Tamil
month of Thai (between January and February). Dedicated to Lord Subramaniam,
also known as Lord Murugan, the deity of youth, power and virtue, this festival
is a time for repentance for devotees with celebrations carried out mainly at
the temple. Devotees prepare themselves spiritually with extensive prayer and
fasting before performing acts of penance or thanksgiving like carrying a
kavadi from one temple to another. Often, sharp skewers are pierced through
their tongues, cheeks and bodies as a practice of self-mortification. Offerings
include fruits, flowers and pots of milk
Legend
This Hindu festival commemorates the
feats of the Hindu God, Lord Subramaniam son of Lord Siva. It also acknowledges
Subramaniam's triumph over the evil forces. According to the legend, devas or
celestial beings at one time were so plagued by the asuras, or demons, that
they pleaded with Lord Siva, to help them. Touched by their pleas, Lord Siva
sent his son Subramaniam to conquer the asuras. After accomplishing this task,
the victorious Subramaniam was believed to have appeared before his devotees.
In the vision, he was bedecked with brilliant jewels, armed with a golden spear
and seated on a chariot. Thus, on Thaipusam day, Lord Subramaniam's image,
adorned and decorated, is placed on a silver chariot before his devotees. This
is then taken in a procession the day before. Besides being acknowledged as a
symbol of virtue, bravery, youth and beauty, the Hindus believe that Lord
Subramaniam is also the universal dispenser of favours. Hence, some who have
made vows and pledges to Lord Subramaniam prove their gratitude to him by
undergoing self-mortification on Thaipusam day.
Rites and rituals
The sacrifices
The most popular form of sacrifice is
the carrying of the kavadi which means "sacrifice at every step". The
symbolism of carrying the kavadi originates from a myth where the kavadi
represents a mountain with Lord Subramaniam at its apex. The smaller,
semi-circular kavadi is a steel or wooden frame with bars for support on the
shoulders, normally decorated with flowers and peacock feathers. The larger
ones with spikes can
weigh as much as 40 kg and reach a height of four metres.
Other forms of sacrifice include piercing silver pins through the cheek and
tongue and pricking the body with hooks and spear-like needles. The devotees
who intend to perform the sacrifice are customarily required to observe strict
physical and mental discipline. Throughout the tenth month of Thai,
purification of the body is a necessity. This includes taking just one
vegetarian meal a day, and sexual abstinence. In addition, a 24-hour fast is
observed on the eve of Thaipusam. Most women devotees carry a pot of milk
called a palkuddam. The milk is poured over the statue of Lord Subramaniam
after the procession.
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