Didn't get to spend much time at the Thaipusam festival this year, but somehow I felt that this year's procession was much quieter (less crowded, less festive) than previous years'. Anyone felt the same way? Anyway, here are a few of my pics. Comments are most welcome and appreciated.
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For those who are interested to know more about the festival:
Thaipusam (தைப்பூசம்
is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the auspicious tenth Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). The word Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. This festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan also known as Subramaniam, the youngest son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. Lord Subramaniam is the universal granter of wishes and all those who wish to ask for a future favour, fulfil a vow in return for a granted favour or to repent for past sins will take part in this festival.
In the year 2009, Thaipusam will be celebrated on the 8th of February. Leading to this day, devotees prepare themselves for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting. They will then undertake a pilgrimage along a set route, at the same time carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). This can range from simply carrying a pot of milk to mortification of the flesh by piercing parts of the body like the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers, the most spectacular being the vel kavadi, where 108 vels are pierced into the skin on the chest and back. It is claimed that the devotees are able to enter a trance and feel no pain nor bleed from their wounds. Some devotees shave their heads bald as a symbol of humility and atonement.
The largest Thaipusam festivals take place in Singapore and Malaysia. In Malaysia, although rare, you can see people of different ethnic groups and faiths bearing kavadis. In India, Thaipusam is grandly celebrated, with as many as 50000 people flocking to a place to carrying kavadi.
Thaipusam celebration in Palani, India:
In Palani, India, Thaipusam is a ten-day festival held in the Periyanayaki temple. Since the festival falls in January the post harvest season (pongal), the happiness and participation of the farmers lends unique splendour to the temple. The most remarkable feature of this festival is the parading devout Bhaktas (devotees) bearing kavadis.
The yellow robed Bhaktas coming from several distant places dance their way through the streets to reach the Muruga Sannidhi (Temple) to the accompaniment of music, both instrumental and vocal. Many traditions are practiced, like the lips pierced with mini silver lance, and locking of the mouth with metal ring to maintain perfect silence and drawing of small make shift chariot with its chain hooked into the back of the 10,000 to 50,000 devotees.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam
http://www.aryabhatt.com/fast_fair_festival/Festivals/Thaipusam%20Festival.htm
#1
#2
#3
#4
For those who are interested to know more about the festival:
Thaipusam (தைப்பூசம்
is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the auspicious tenth Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). The word Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. This festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan also known as Subramaniam, the youngest son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. Lord Subramaniam is the universal granter of wishes and all those who wish to ask for a future favour, fulfil a vow in return for a granted favour or to repent for past sins will take part in this festival.In the year 2009, Thaipusam will be celebrated on the 8th of February. Leading to this day, devotees prepare themselves for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting. They will then undertake a pilgrimage along a set route, at the same time carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). This can range from simply carrying a pot of milk to mortification of the flesh by piercing parts of the body like the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers, the most spectacular being the vel kavadi, where 108 vels are pierced into the skin on the chest and back. It is claimed that the devotees are able to enter a trance and feel no pain nor bleed from their wounds. Some devotees shave their heads bald as a symbol of humility and atonement.
The largest Thaipusam festivals take place in Singapore and Malaysia. In Malaysia, although rare, you can see people of different ethnic groups and faiths bearing kavadis. In India, Thaipusam is grandly celebrated, with as many as 50000 people flocking to a place to carrying kavadi.
Thaipusam celebration in Palani, India:
In Palani, India, Thaipusam is a ten-day festival held in the Periyanayaki temple. Since the festival falls in January the post harvest season (pongal), the happiness and participation of the farmers lends unique splendour to the temple. The most remarkable feature of this festival is the parading devout Bhaktas (devotees) bearing kavadis.
The yellow robed Bhaktas coming from several distant places dance their way through the streets to reach the Muruga Sannidhi (Temple) to the accompaniment of music, both instrumental and vocal. Many traditions are practiced, like the lips pierced with mini silver lance, and locking of the mouth with metal ring to maintain perfect silence and drawing of small make shift chariot with its chain hooked into the back of the 10,000 to 50,000 devotees.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam
http://www.aryabhatt.com/fast_fair_festival/Festivals/Thaipusam%20Festival.htm
