THAIPUSAM COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

THAIPUSAM FESTIVAL

Ever wonder why some Indian devotees pierce their bodies or hook objects into their flesh, apparently without pain? Witness Thaipusam, India's most spectacular festival.


The Thaipusam festival (also spelled Thai Poosam) is celebrated every year on the full moon day in the month of Thai; and Thaipusam 2009 falls on 8th February. It is a Hindu festival mostly celebrated by the Tamil community in India, Malaysia, Singapore and South Indian communities worldwide. It marks two occasions:

• the birth of Lord Murugan (also called Subramaniam, Skanda or Karthikeya), the Tamil god of war and youngest son of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati
• the victory of Murugan over the evil demon Soorapadman

Followers of Hindu festivals will know that the victory of good over evil, symbolized by god versus demon, is a common theme in Hindu mythology. The Diwali festival, for example, celebrates the victory of Lord Ram (or Rama) over the ten-headed demon Ravana.

The Meaning Thaipusam

The Tamil word pusam refers to a star that is at its highest position during the festival. Because it is celebrated in the month of Thai, the festival is called Thaipusam. Its origin goes back to the legend of the demon (rakshasa) Soorapadman or Soorapadme who was protected against death from the hands of mortals and deities alike. Because he felt invincible, he soon started tormenting those he deemed weak.

Thaipusam Festival in Malaysia