Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai, sees millions of devotees across Malaysia making pilgrimages to temples dedicated to Lord Murugan. The festival commemorates Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadman and involves various rituals, including carrying milk pots and 'kavadis' (offerings) on their backs, as acts of devotion and surrender to the deity.
kavadis Thaipusam is celebrated on the first full moon in the Tamil month of Thai when the Pusam star — the eighth of the 27 stars in Hindu astrology — reaches its highest point. Hence, “ Thaipusam ”.
Other vows performed during Thaipusam include carrying milk pots for the bathing ritual of the deity, smashing coconuts and some male devotees also shave off their hair as symbolic acts of surrender to God. A devotee offering the coconut to Lord Murugan before smashing it during Thaipusam in this file picture dated February 3, 2023. — Picture by Raymond Manuel
The chariot is pulled by a pair of oxen, supposedly to honour the sacred bull Nandi, the gatekeeper of Lord Shiva.and smash coconuts during the three-day long Thaipusam celebrations in Penang. Meanwhile, the Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniar Temple in Ipoh is expecting over 350,000 devotees and tourists.
Thaipusam Hindu Festival Lord Murugan Malaysia Pilgrimage Kavadi Rituals
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