BhaktiLoopThaipusam
Thaipusam is a major Hindu festival predominantly celebrated by the Tamil community around the world. It is characterized by elaborate processions, acts of devotion including the carrying of Kavadis (physical burdens often adorned with peacock feathers, flowers, and milk pots), and in some cases, body piercing as a form of extreme penance or offering. The festival signifies the power of devotion, endurance, and self-sacrifice.
Purpose
Thaipusam celebrates the day Lord Murugan received the Vel (sacred lance) from his mother, Parvati, to vanquish the demon Soorapadman. It is a day for devotees to fulfill vows, express gratitude, seek blessings, and undergo penance for spiritual purification and divine intervention.
Key Rituals
Fasting and abstinence (often for several days or weeks leading up to Thaipusam)
Kavadi Attam (carrying various types of Kavadis, from simple milk pots to elaborate, ornate structures, often accompanied by dance and trance states)
Vel Kavadi (ritualistic piercing of the skin, cheeks, tongue, and body with Vels or skewers as a form of penance, without bleeding, signifying divine grace)
Padayatra (pilgrimage by foot to Murugan temples)
Abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity with milk, water, honey, curd, etc.)
Archana (offering of flowers and chanting the deity's names)
Altar decoration and preparation of offerings
Chanting mantras and devotional songs (bhajans)
Breaking coconuts as an offering or to signify breaking ego
Auspicious bath and wearing clean clothes before rituals
Arathi (waving of lamps) and deepa aradhana (offering of light)
Feasting and sharing food after the rituals (Prasadam)
Common Offerings
Milk (especially for Kavadis and Abhishekam)
Fruits (bananas, coconuts, oranges, grapes)
Flowers (jasmine, rose, marigold, lotus, oleander)
Vibhuti (sacred ash)
Sandalwood paste (chandanam)
Turmeric (kumkum)
Incense sticks (agarbatti)
Camphor (karpooram) for Arathi
Sweets (ladoo, modak, payasam, kesari)
Cooked food items (pongal, vadai, appam)
Honey and panchamirtham (a mixture of five ingredients)
Vel (miniature lance as a symbolic offering or carried by devotees)
Peacock feathers (associated with Lord Murugan)
Water, betel leaves, and nuts
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Saravanabhava Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Saravanabhava (a six-syllabled name representing Lord Murugan's birth and qualities of courage, knowledge, and victory).
Benefits
Chanting this mantra is believed to bestow wisdom, courage, protection from negative forces, removal of obstacles, and fulfillment of righteous desires. It promotes spiritual growth and inner peace.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Skandaya Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Lord Skanda (another prominent name for Lord Kartikeya, meaning 'the one who attacks').
Benefits
This mantra invokes divine strength, grants victory over adversaries, enhances intelligence, and offers protection against various difficulties. It fosters leadership qualities and discipline.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Vel Vel Vetri Vel
Meaning
Vel, Vel, Victorious Vel (a devotional chant referring to Lord Murugan's divine spear, 'Vel').
Benefits
Though not a formal Sanskrit mantra, this powerful Tamil chant is widely used during Thaipusam processions. It invokes the power of Lord Murugan's lance for victory over evil, protection, and the removal of inner and outer obstacles. It generates intense devotional energy and solidarity among devotees.
Auspicious Days
Thaipusam always falls on the full moon (Poornima) day in the Tamil month of Thai (typically late January or early February in the Gregorian calendar).
The specific day is determined by the conjunction of the Pushya (Pusam) star with the full moon in the month of Thai.
Regional Variations
Thaipusam is celebrated with immense fervor globally wherever Tamil diaspora communities reside. - **Malaysia**: The largest celebrations outside India occur here, particularly at Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur, attracting millions of devotees and tourists. Elaborate Kavadi processions are a hallmark. - **Singapore**: Major temples like Sri Thendayuthapani Temple and Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple are focal points for processions and rituals. - **India (Tamil Nadu)**: Celebrated intensely in Murugan's six abodes (Arupadaiveedu) – Palani, Tiruchendur, Swamimalai, Thirupparankundram, Pazhamudircholai, and Vayalur – with large-scale pilgrimages, chariot festivals, and special pujas. - **Sri Lanka**: Significant celebrations take place, especially at Nallur Kandaswamy Temple in Jaffna. - **Other countries**: Tamil communities in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Fiji also observe Thaipusam with temple gatherings, processions, and cultural events, adapting to local conditions while retaining core traditions.
Related Pujas
Skanda Sashti (Kanda Sashti): A six-day festival commemorating Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadman, distinct from Thaipusam's focus on the Vel.
Panguni Uthiram: Another significant Murugan festival in the Tamil month of Panguni (March/April), celebrating divine marriages (Murugan-Devasena/Valli) and often involving similar acts of devotion like Kavadi.
Kirthigai: Monthly star day (when the Krittika star is ascendant) dedicated to Lord Murugan, observed with special prayers and offerings.
Vaikasi Visakam: Celebrated as Lord Murugan's birthday (jayanthi) in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May/June), observed with special pujas and spiritual discourses.