Thaipusam 2022, Thaipusam 2021 Tamil Calendar
Hindu festival Thaipusam (Tamil:தைப்பூசம்) or Thai Poosam dedicated to Lord Murugan (Kartikeya) is observed on the Purnima (full moon day) in the Tamil Solar month Thai which is Solar month Makara in other Hindu calendars and is celebrated mostly by the Tamilian community all over the world.
Thaipusam festival is celebrated not only in India but in the whole world where the Tamil community is present such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mauritius, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, South Africa, USA, Myanmar, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica and the other parts of the Caribbean. Thaipusam festival is also referred to as Thaipooyam and Thaippooyam. Thaipusam celebrates the victory of Lord Murugan, the event when Mata Parvati gave Murugan a Vel or spear so he could conquer the evil demon Soorapadam.
What is Thaipusam Festival?
The two words of Thaipusam means - Thai - the name of Tamil month and Pusam - Pusam stands for Nakshatram Pusam in Tamil(also known as Pushya) and Pooyam in Malayalam. Thus this star is at its highest point during the month of Thai at this time. Rituals of Thaipusam
As per Hindu scriptures, Goddess Parvati gave Lord Murugan a Vel (a divine javelin) to defeat the demon, Soorapadman. Therefore on the day of Thaipusam, Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva, is worshipped to obtain his strength to destroy all the evil in one’s life.
The devotees start the preparation 48 hours in advance by fasting and prayers. The kavadi bearers lay down their burden in front of the deity on reaching their pilgrimage. Honey or milk is then poured on the idol of the deity along with the offering of yellow fruits in the form of pure devotion and respect.
Kavadi Attam
Kavadi Attam is one of the most significant inclusion in Thaipusam celebrations. A kavadi is a semi-circular wooden carrier used by the devotees to carry offerings for Lord Murugan. Many devotees tonsure their head and walk barefoot as they carry the Kavadi on their shoulder. This ritual of dancing while carrying the Kavadi with deep faith and devotion is known as Kavadi Attam. Some people even carry a pot consisting of milk on their head. Devotees carrying the Kavadi, observe a vratham and consume only vegetarian foods. Many of the devotees pierce their skin, tongue and body with Vel (spear), a weapon carried by Lord Murugan thus showing their sincere and unshakable faith in Lord Murugan.
A similar practice is performed by the Nagarathar community in Pazhani, India which is known as the Nagarathar Kavadi.
Thaipusam Legend
Thaipusam is the day when Goddess Parvati gifted her warrior son, Murugan (who is also known as Subramanian/Shanmugham) with a Vel (a divine spear) as he headed to the battlefield to kill a demon named Soorapadman
Significance of Thaipusam
Soorapadman, the demon had grown so powerful that the Devas were unable to defeat him. The Devas asked help from Lord Shiva, who, gave birth to Murugan with his divine powers. Thus Murugan killed Soorapadman and the Devas got freedom from their miseries after which peace and dharma were restored. Thus this was the day of Thaipusam when devotees worship Lord Murugan to seek his blessings and get free from their troubles.
Thaipusam Celebration Outside India
10 day Festival (Brahmotsavam) is held during Thaipusam in Palani Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani temple. Thirukalyanam (Celestial Wedding) will be held on the day before Thaipusam. On Thaipusam, Therottam will be held. Lord Muthukumaraswamy will bless devotees in Thanga Guthirai Vahanam (Golden Horse), Periya Thanga Mayil Vahanam (Golden Peacock), Theppotsavam (Float Festival) during the 10 day festival.
In Chidamabaram (Thillai) Panchamurthi Veedhi Ula, Thirthavari, Thaandava Darsanam Aarthi will be held on Thaipusam. In Madurai Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Theppotsavam (Float Festival) will be held at Mariammam Theppa Kulam. Three day Theppotsavam will be held during Thaipusam Pournami in Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple.
It is a public holiday in several states in Malaysia. In Malaysia, the temple at Batu Caves, near Kuala Lumpur & Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, Penang near George Town, Penang & Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple, Penang and Kallumalai Murugan Temple, Ipoh, Perak, often attracts over one million devotees and tens of thousands of tourists.
In Singapore, Hindu devotees start their procession at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in the early morning, carrying milk pots as offerings or attaching "kavadis" and spikes pierced on their body. The procession travels for 4 kilometres before finishing at Tank Road, Sri Thendayuthapani Temple.
Thaipusam in Mauritius is celebrated with thousands of attendees taking Cavadee. The biggest event is always at Kovil Montagne (Sri Siva Subramanya Thirukovil). Nestled in Corps de Garde Mountain in Quatre Bornes, it was founded in 1890 by a humble and pious Tamil Indian immigrant, Velamurugan. It's also celebrated at nearby islands of Seychelles and Reunion. Thaipusam Kavady ceremony is celebrated in cities of Durban (Clairwood Shree Siva Soobramonior Temple) and Cape Town of South Africa.
The Thaipusam Festival is celebrated at Sri Siva Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Nadi Town in Fiji.
On the eve of Thaipusam, the procession is mainly held in the capital of North Sumatra province, Medan in Indonesia where Hindus gather together at Sree Soepramaniem Nagarattar Temple at Kejaksaan Road to accompanying a 125 years old chariot or locally known as Radhoo from the temple to the main temple nearby (about 2–3 kilometres or 1–2 miles) at Sri Mariamman Temple at Kampung Madras which opens 24-hours for the festival.
The Shiva Murugan Temple in Concord, California in United States of America, celebrates the Thaipoosam preceded by a walk where some people walk more than 74 km (46 mi) from the city of Fremont, some walk 34 km (21 mi) from the city of San Ramon to Concord, and most walk 11 km (7 mi) from Walden Park in Walnut Creek to Concord. For the last several years, over 2000 people participated in the walk.
Thaipusam is a national holiday in countries such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Mauritius. Its a holiday in the state of Tamil Nadu. In Sri Lanka, Mauritius and in certain states of Malaysia, it is also a government and a bank holiday.
Thaipusam Shubh Muhurtham 2022
Poosam Nakshathram Begins - 04:37 AM on Jan 18, 2022
Poosam Nakshathram Ends - 06:42 AM on Jan 19, 2022
Happy Thaipusam!
