The annual Hindu festival responsible for filling the streets of Singapore with overjoyed and lively worshippers is Thaipusam. These people march in the procession to fulfil their vows, seek blessings and offer thanks to their worshipped god. The unique and colourful traditions of this festival not only brings the traffic to a standstill but leaves people in awe.
The Thaipusam, also known as Thaipoosam, is a Hindu festival celebrated on a full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai i.e. January or February. This day must coincide with the Pushya star, also called Poosam in Tamil.
What the Legend Says
There are two legends associated with Thaipusam. The first states that Lord Kartikeya came into being on this day. The second popular belief is that the Hindu goddess; Parvati gave a Vel (spear) to the god of war Murugan, famously known as Lord Kartikeya and Lord Subramaniam. With this spear, she helped Murugan vanquish an evil demon named Soorapadman.
The story carries on that the Devas fought several battles against Soorapadman, but the demon only grew stronger with time. Fearing that the demon was invincible, the Devas approached Lord Shiva for assistance. So, to annihilate Soorapadman, Shiva produced a mighty and powerful warrior named Kartikeya. Years after birth, Kartikeya took control of the Devas’ army and crushed the Demon in battle.
Processions
In Singapore, the procession lasts for two days, beginning on the eve of the full moon- 28 January. The worshipers gather at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in a place called Little India. Here the first wave of devotees begins their march with heavy pots of milk or offerings on their heads. On this 3 to 5 kilometres walk, you will get to witness men, women and children of all age groups carrying pots.
The spectacle can be observed anywhere between the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road, from where the procession commences to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road, where it ends.
People commemorate this festival in various ways, like piercing the skin and tongue with spears and skewers. Before the march, many devotees get their backs pierced with the fishhooks which are further attached to a chariot. Thus, physically dragging a chariot. Some opt for less painful rituals like hanging fruits such as lemons and apples on their backs. The most commonly seen piercing ritual is that of the face, wherein devotees get Vel, a weapon of Lord Murugan, put through their tongues, cheeks and forehead.
Many worshippers are seen wearing the bulky weight of a kavadi on their shoulders. In the Tamil language, kavadi means sacrifice at every step, which is quite the case in reality. Designed in a semi-circular shape, the kavadi is made of either wood or steel. With bars for support on the shoulders, it is either adorned with peacock feathers and beautiful flowers or left plain with steel spikes that pierce through the body. A worshipper is meant to hoist a kavadi only during the length of the procession.
Significance of Thaipusam
The purpose of these painful religious processions is to showcase their devotion or fealty to the Lord Kartikeya. They believe that he protects them by warding off evil and troubles from their lives. Also, he blesses them with the courage to battle against all odds. They pay their respect to the Lord by performing the Kavadi attam. This is a religious expression in which the devotees dance while carrying the heavy kavadi on their shoulders.
Friends and family members provide physical support to the devotees during their sacrifice. They walk beside them while chanting hymns and prayers to provide encouragement as well as moral support.
Gurnika Talwar is FNP’s marketing and creative content writer and has been with the firm since 2020. She is based in Delhi, India and has been in this field for 2+ years.
She started her journey as a freshman but since then has created content on several mediums. With blogging on gift ideas, food, gardening tips and whatnot as her primary goal, she has also curated content for social media and brand films. As a storyteller, she creates original, genuine, and relatable content to connect with the mass. Besides work, you’ll find her chit-chatting about movies or making sarcastic jokes.
The spectacle can be observed anywhere between the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road, from where the procession commences to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road, where it ends.
People commemorate this festival in various ways, like piercing the skin and tongue with spears and skewers. Before the march, many devotees get their backs pierced with the fishhooks which are further attached to a chariot. Thus, physically dragging a chariot. Some opt for less painful rituals like hanging fruits such as lemons and apples on their backs. The most commonly seen piercing ritual is that of the face, wherein devotees get Vel, a weapon of Lord Murugan, put through their tongues, cheeks and forehead.
Many worshippers are seen wearing the bulky weight of a kavadi on their shoulders. In the Tamil language, kavadi means sacrifice at every step, which is quite the case in reality. Designed in a semi-circular shape, the kavadi is made of either wood or steel. With bars for support on the shoulders, it is either adorned with peacock feathers and beautiful flowers or left plain with steel spikes that pierce through the body. A worshipper is meant to hoist a kavadi only during the length of the procession.
Friends and family members provide physical support to the devotees during their sacrifice. They walk beside them while chanting hymns and prayers to provide encouragement as well as moral support. 
