WHILE many devotees know the significance of Thaipusam which will be celebrated tomorrow (Jan 18), many at large may not be aware or worst still, harbour misconception of what the annual Hindu festival entails.
The name Thaipusam has its origin in Tamil with Thai meaning the tenth month in the Tamil calendar and Pusam being the name of a star in the Cancer constellation.
During the festival, the stars are said to shine the brightest. Legend has it that the god Shiva (his father) sent Murugan to help his devotees who were suffering from demons’ torture.
He appeared in front of the devotees on a silver chariot with a golden spear. That is why Lord Murugan is known as the Hindu god of war and symbolises bravery, virtue, youth and power.
Devotees therefore seek blessings, fulfill vows and show their devotion and gratitude to this revered deity during the festival.
The Thaipusam festivities actually take place over three days. For believers, event preparations last a matter of weeks – both spiritually and physically.
Devotees prepare themselves for the occasion by cleansing their bodies through fasting and abstinence. Usually they observe a vegetarian diet for a certain period of time depending on their vows.
It is important to be completely clean and devoted to be able to carry out their sacred missions without pain and suffering.
As to why devotees tend to wear yellow during Thaipusam, it is because yellow is Lord Murugan’s favourite colour. This is why the statue of Lord Murugan in Batu Caves is in yellow. Yellow is also associated with new beginnings, peace and happiness.
Of sacrifices and devotion
Kavadi is the highlight of any Thaipusam procession. The word literally means “sacrifice at every step” in Tamil.
The intricate decorative structure is made of a steel or wooden frame and decorated with flowers or peacock feathers. The kavadis are carried by devotees throughout the length of the procession and rested on the shoulder or hip of the carrier. This offering requires a lot of will-power and dedication.
As the saying goes, not everyone can bring a kavadi to Lord Murugan; only the ones who are destined for this will be able to do it.
The kavadi is considered the most auspicious and painstaking offering to Lord Murugan, more than any other offering. The kavadi bearer not only carries a gift to Lord Murugan but also considers the entire kavadi as a shrine for the lord himself.
Body piercings are another enthusiastic offering offered by devotees in gratitude for their answered prayers.
Devotees will pierce various parts of the body such as their cheeks, and sometimes to hang items like bells. In some cases, hooks are attached to the devotee’s back to allow them to pull the kavadi.
Most of the devotees fall into a state of trance during the piercing. This is due to the intense drumming and chanting of Lord Murugan. However, none of the believers or volunteers who do this would be seen exhausted or in pain.
These intense sacrifices are made not just to please Lord Murugan or to seek an answer their prayers, but to also show the world that these sharp spears do nothing when their tongue chant “Vel Vel Muruga, Vetri Vel Muruga” (worshipping Lord Muruga who is the embodiment of power and the highest knowledge along with His Vel (spear) which always bestows victory).
Milk and coconut
Milk offerings (paal kudam) are another popular offering during Thaipusam. Paal kudam means carrying paal (milk) in a kudam (pot-shaped bowl) by devotees on their head as offerings to Lord Murugan.
The milk offered by the devotees will then be used by the priests to perform prayers.
As to the smashing of coconuts during Thaipusam, this is because coconut is believed to be an auspicious and sacred fruit that can be given to god as one of the purest forms of offering.
The reason why coconuts are cracked open is because the act symbolises the breaking of our ego to reveal our inner purity.
As this year is still being sieged by the COVID-19 pandemic with rising concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant, Thaipusam will once again be celebrated on a modest scale with strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOP) issued by the National Security Council (MKN).
At time of writing, the Batu Caves Sri Subramaniam temple committee has urged the Government to urgently re-consider three conditions in the SOPs issued by MKN, namely to allow:
- The temple to be open for 24 hours from the eve of Thaipusam (today) till the next day. Currently, it can only open from 5am-11pm on both days;
- One person to accompany paal kudam (milk pot) bearers as some are old and need help; and
- Those below 18 to take part in the prayers. – Jan 17, 2022
