Thaipusam

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival observed primarily by Tamil communities in South Asia and the diaspora. It honors Lord Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati, who is regarded as a god of power, protection, and victory. The festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai on the full moon day, with the exact date varying each year. In many traditions, the occasion is associated with the star Pushya (Pusya), from which the name Thaipusam is derived.

Core observances center on acts of devotion, vows, and penance. Devotees undertake pilgrimages to Murugan temples, often traveling long distances. A distinctive feature is the kavadi, a ceremonial burden carried on the body, which may include decorative arches, hooks, skewers, or other implements connected to the skin as an act of devotion and offering. Milk pots, known as paiya or paal kavadi, are sometimes carried in processions as offerings. Participants may begin fasting, follow strict vegetarian diets, and perform cleansing rituals in the days leading up to the festival. Music, chanting, and devotional songs accompany the processions.

Thaipusam is celebrated at various temples around the world, with the Batu Caves in Malaysia and the Palani temple in Tamil Nadu among the most prominent sites. Other major centers include temples in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mauritius, and other Tamil communities. The festival is viewed as a public expression of faith, endurance, and gratitude, and it highlights cultural heritage, while also presenting considerations for safety and participant welfare in large crowds.