Thaipusam Festival

In 2008, Thaipusam was celebrated on 23 January. The festival occurs during the full moon day in the month of Thai (during January or February). It is a unique spectacle, but definitely not one for the faint-hearted. Ruth and I joined some other teachers from Morris Allen and spent the afternoon viewing this interesting festival.

Thaipusam originated in India to honor Lord Subramaniam, the principal Hindu diety, (also known as Lord Murugan) who represents virtue, youth and power and is the destroyer of evil. A spectacular four-kilometre procession begins at Serangoon Road and goes on to the Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple at Keong Siak Road. During the month preceding the procession these dedicated participants prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting.

For some, this procession involves carrying a pot filled with milk. For others, the festival is a display of faith and mind over matter as they pierce their cheeks and tongues with metal skewers.The skewer pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from speaking and gives great power of endurance.

Others attach large metal frames called kavadis to their bodies using a horrific array of hooks and spikes. Some have carts attached to the hooks that they pull along throughout the 4 km walk. Apparently the greater the pain the more god-earned merit.

Participating in Thaipusam is certainly not a requirement for Hindus and in fact it has been banned in India. We were amazed by the endurance of those taking part, we had expected to see blood but this was seen even though some of the participants had heavy load attached to the hooks and rods that pierced their skin.