Table of Contents
- 1 What is Thaipusam celebrating?
- 2 Why do Hindu men carry the kavadi during Thaipusam?
- 3 When was Thaipusam first celebrated?
- 4 What is the purpose of Thaipusam?
- 5 Why is Thaipusam important?
- 6 Is Thaipusam a religious festival?
- 7 What are the types of kavadi?
- 8 What do Thaipusam people eat?
- 9 How is the kavadi performed in Thaipusam festival?
- 10 When does the kavadi aattam start in Palani?
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 Hindu men carry the kavadi during Thaipusam?
For devotees, carrying a kavadi is a significant experience, especially during the Thaipusam festival. As such, devotees make vows and pledges to Lord Murugan to prove their gratitude to him and pay penances to him on Thaipusam day upon having their wishes granted.
When was Thaipusam first celebrated?
1888
It was first celebrated at the Batu Caves in 1888. Since then it’s become an important expression of cultural and religious identity to Malaysians of Tamil Indian origin, and it’s now the largest and most significant Hindu public display in the country.
Why do devotees carry 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 is Thaipusam special?
Thaipusam is a day of prayers and penance. Dedicated to Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Murugan,8 a major South Indian god,9 the deity of youth, power and virtue, this festival is a time for repentance for devotees with celebrations carried out mainly at the temple.
What is the purpose of Thaipusam?
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.
Why is Thaipusam important?
The word Thaipusam is a combination of the name of the month, Thai, and the name of a star, Pusam (Tamil word for Pushya; Malayalam word – Pooyam)….Thaipusam.
| Thaipusam தைப்பூசம் | |
|---|---|
| Significance | The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan (aka Kartikeya) a Vel |
| Date | decided by the Tamil calendar. |
Is Thaipusam a religious festival?
For the Hindu community in Malaysia, Thaipusam is one of the most important religious festivals of the year. The word ‘Thaipusam’ is the combination of the word “Thai”, which refers to the month of the Tamil calendar in which the Religious festival is held, and “Pusam” which refers to a constellation of three stars.
Is Thaipusam Murugan birthday?
It is also commonly believed that Thaipusam marks Murugan’s birthday; though some other sources suggest that Vaikhasi Vishakam, which falls in the Vaikhasi month (May/June), is Murugan’s birthday.
Does Thaipusam hurt?
Those who get their bodies pierced report that they feel little to no pain,” he says. “As most of them vow to get their body pierced before they get into a trance, we know that they are alert when the pricks go in. They usually won’t even flinch, while those who are piercing would be wincing in pain.”
What are the types of kavadi?
Types Of Kavadi
- Alavu Kavadi: Image via Rojak Daily. This Kavadi is a mortification of the flesh by piercing through the devotees tongue or cheeks with a Vel (religious symbol).
- Vette Mulle: Image via Kavadi123.
- Koodam Mulle: Image via Pinterest.
- Thee Meethi: Image via Kavadi123.
- Karumbu Thodi: Image via Murugan.ORG.
What do Thaipusam people eat?
Suggested Foods
- Paanagam.
- Thatta Payaru Sundal.
- Channa Dal Payasam.
- Payasam.
- Pongal.
- Aval/Poha dishes. Kolacha Poha. Poha with Potatoes and Peanuts.
How is the kavadi performed in Thaipusam festival?
It is often performed by devotees during the festival of Thaipusam in honor of Murugan. The kavadi is a semicircular, decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that the pilgrim carries on their shoulders to the temple. The devotee makes the pilgrimage (the nadai payanam) with bare feet, bearing food offerings on the kavadi.
What do people carry on the day of kavadi?
On the day of the festival, devotees undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). At its simplest this may entail carrying a pot of milk ( pal kavadi ), but piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is also common.
Which is the most important festival in Hinduism?
t e Festivals in the Hindu calendar Major festivals Bihu Chhath Dashahara Diwali Dhanteras N Other important festivals Ayya Vaikunda Avataram Ashadhi Ekadashi Regional New Year Balipratipada (Gujarati, Rajasthani) Boh Holy days Akshaya Tritiya Amalaka Ekadashi Vaikunt
When does the kavadi aattam start in Palani?
Since then, pilgrims to Palani bring their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi aattam. The custom has spread from Palani to all Muruga shrines worldwide. The preparations start 48 days before the two-day Thaipusam festival. The devotees purge themselves of all mental and physical impurities.