Facts about Thaipusam in Malaysia
Malaysia is blessed with a multicultural society, with numerous and diverse cultural festivals that we get to celebrate together as Malaysians. A plus are the public holidays that come with them – Thaipusam included.
This festival is a colourful and religious annual event that draws devotees from far and wide to Indian temples dedicated to the Lord Murugan. As the biggest festival for Hindus after Deepavali, it is celebrated with a host of traditional religious customs and rituals.
We gathered 8 interesting facts about Thaipusam and how it’s celebrated in Malaysia.
1. Thaipusam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai
Image credit: Siva Kumar / Batu Caves Temple via Facebook
The word Thaipusam is a combination of the words “Thai” – meaning the 10th month – and “pusam”, the name of a star. As its name suggests, the festival is celebrated when the star shines the brightest, typically in the months of January or February according to the Tamil Almanac calendar.
In Malaysia, the festival is highlighted by a midnight chariot procession. In the capital, devotees take part in the procession by accompanying a chariot bearing Lord Murugan’s statue, on the journey from the Sri Mariamman temple in Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves in Selangor. The trek covers a whopping 15km.
During the procession, which can take up to 8 hours, devotees offer prayers over the sounds of drums, trumpets and chants, and observe several rituals.
At Batu Caves, a gold Lord Murugan statue towers over the temple and awaits devotees looking to pray for various aspects of their lives and fulfill their vows to the deity during the celebration. In addition to the procession, devotees climb up all 272 of the famed concrete steps to the main temple cave, bearing their offerings and kavadi.
2. Thaipusam is celebrated in honour of Lord Murugan
Image credit: Batu Caves Temple via Facebook
Thaipusam is celebrated in honour of the Hindu deity, Lord Murugan, son of Lord Shiva. In Hindu belief, he was sent to help devotees who were disturbed and plagued by demonic attacks, also known as asura.
Lord Murugan was bestowed an invincible lance, called a vel, by Goddess Parvati to defeat Tarakasura’s demon army and put an end to their evil deeds. Based on stories and legends, he emerged victorious in his quest, and appeared before devotees, riding a chariot and wielding a spear.
Thus, the celebration of Thaipusam signifies the defeat of the devils and the celebrates the victory of good over evil.
3. The history of Lord Murugan & Thaipusam
Image credit: Batu Caves Temple via Facebook
According to history, Parvati gave Lord Murugan a spear often referred to as a symbol of the revered deity on Thaipusam. He soon became well-known as an emperor with a mission, engaging in numerous battles to eliminate injustices.
Driven by an intense desire to eradicate injustices, Lord Murugan began killing people to the extent that even the mere suspicion of injustice gave him reason to take lives. After some time, he realised that killing people in the pursuit of justice was elusive and merely an act of revenge.
Upon this realisation, Lord Murugan accepted that he had been pursuing an elusive mission. He then cleansed his sword and spear, ascended a mountain, and eventually departed from his physical form. His profound realisation makes him celebrated on Thaipusam.
4. Devotees pierce their skin
Image credit: Batu Caves Temple via Facebook
If you’ve visited a Hindu temple for Thaipusam, you might have seen devotees with various small hooks, spears, and long needles piercing their tongues, cheeks, and backs.
For the uninitiated, the piercing of bodies is a symbol of the burdens carried by them. Not only do devotees sustain these piercings as a show of endurance and willpower, they are also symbolical of how much pain they are in. The ritual is one of self-sacrifice to defeat inner demons, expel ego, anger, lust and greed, as well as gain the blessings of Lord Murugan. It is said that they don’t feel the pain of the piercings.
In most cases, only kavadi bearers will get their skin pierced to support the weight of the ceremonial sacrifice. This act of reverence to Lord Murugan is in addition to the 48 days of prep that kavadi bearers have to observe, which includes a strict vegetarian diet, and abstinence from all sorts of luxury and desire.
5. Devotees carry a pot of milk called palkuddam
Image credit: Batu Caves Temple via Facebook
During the Thaipusam celebrations, you’ll see many devotees dressed in yellow and carrying a pot on their heads – these are pots of milk called palkudam, with the colour yellow often associated with Lord Murugan.
The milk is carried and poured over the statue of Lord Subramaniam at the end of the procession. Those who take part in the procession usually ask the deity for a prayer to be granted. As an offering, they partake in the procession, carrying a pot of milk as their humble gift to the deity.
6. Devotees shave their heads on Thaipusam
Image credit: Batu Caves Temple via Facebook
A more common ritual performed by devotees – compared to the piercing of the skin – is the shaving of their heads during the Thaipusam celebrations. The act signifies the cleansing of the soul, and is also a symbolic sacrificial offering also known as kanikai.
In addition to adults, both men and women alike, newborn babies have their hair shaved too. If you’re wondering, it is believed that the shaving of hair is considered a gesture of purification from past lives.
Shaven heads are rubbed with sandalwood paste, which helps reduce the itchiness of the aftermath of shaving.
7. Devotees enter a state of trance
Image credit: Batu Caves Temple via Facebook
If you happen to see videos of devotees in a state of trance, this is part of the celebrations. It is considered a spiritual experience by Hindus, and is known as arul vaku. During this divine state, devotees are believed to experience the energies of the deity flowing through them.
During a trance, the gods are said to take over the devotees through gestures, such as a dance-like walk and vigorous movements. Devotees seldom feel pain during the trance, and are usually accompanied by friends or relatives till the end of the procession.
8. Devotees carry a kavadi
Image credit: Batu Caves Temple via Facebook
The kavadi, derived from the words ‘kaavu‘ and ‘tadi,’ means a pole used for carrying things. It’s a central part of Thaipusam, with devotees often seen carrying kavadis, symbolising a form of debt. Devotees typically seek assistance from the deity for self-healing and protection.
There are several types of kavadis, and one that stands out the most is the Puspha Kavadi that’s adorned with flowers and carried on the shoulder. The devotee also pierces their tongue and cheek with a small spear that is three feet long.
Other types of kavadi include the Alangara Kavadi, decorated with peacock motifs and an image of Lord Murugan, and Karumbu Toddi, where both parents carry their child bundled with a sugar cane as a gesture of devotion and gratitude for the child.
Thaipusam celebrations in Malaysia
Thaipusam is a vibrant festival celebrated in Malaysia that brings devotees from all walks of life together to pray to Lord Murugan. During the celebration, we are able to witness part of the rich cultural abundance that we have in our beloved country, Malaysia.
So do keep an eye out on your social media to witness the celebration from different perspectives. Or, if you want to experience the festival firsthand, visit a Hindu temple hosting a procession, with Batu Caves being one of the most popular spots in the country to join the celebrations.
Cover image adapted from: Siva Kumar / Batu Caves Temple via Facebook, @b_slavov via Instagram