Thaipusam (Tamil: தைப்பூசம், Taippūcam ?) is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). It is celebrated not only in countries where the Tamil community constitutes a majority, but also in countries where Tamil communities are smaller, such as Singapore[1] and Malaysia.[2] The festival is also referred to as Thaipooyam or Thaippooyam (Malayalam: തൈപ്പൂയം, Taippūyaṁ ?). The word Thaipusam is derived from the month name Thai and Pusam, which refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (spear) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. There is a misconception among people that Thaipusam marks Murugan's birthday; however, it is believed that Vaikhasi Vishakam, which falls in the Vaikhasi month (May/June), is Murugan's birthday.[3]
Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of
Murugan, the
Tamil God of War.
[4] It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage. The
Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God Murugan.
[5] Generally, Hindus take a vow to offer a kavadi to idol for the purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity. For instance, if the devotee's son is laid up with a fatal disease, he would pray to Shanmuga to grant the boy a lease of life in return for which the devotee would take a vow to dedicate a kavadi to Him.
Source: Wikipedia
 |
| 165 years old Silver Chariot |
 |
| Offerings to Lord Muruga |
 |
| Coconut Breaking |
 |
| Decorated Kavadis |
 |
| Taking a Break |
 |
The Piercing... No Blood at all...
|
 |
| A view from my house on Thaipusam Day... |
(Not sure why I can't upload my pictures... Will try again tomorrow) Miaow...
0 smooched:
Post a Comment