Celebrating the birth of Lord Muruga, devotees walk miles carrying heavy metal structures that are nailed to their bodies with sharp spikes
Symbolising the victory of good over evil, devotees celebrated 'Thaipusam' not only across Tamil Nadu, but also in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. With a large Tamil-speaking population living overseas, the festival was celebrated with equal gusto across Malaysia, South Africa, Indonesia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.
Thaipusam or Thai-poosam, is celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). 'Thai' is the name of the month and 'Pusam' is the name of a star.
The festival, which is dedicated to Lord Murugan (the son of Shiva and Parvati), saw lakhs of devotees offering prayers on Thursday at the Sathya Gnana Sabari temple in Vadalur founded by saint Ramalinga Swamigal on the occasion of the 146th 'jothi darshan' festival that took place on Thaipoosam day.
Devotees from across the nation and also from Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States took darshan of the jothi (flame) after the seven curtains were removed one by one.
The Sathya Gnana Sabari temple has no idol, but only the jothi (started by Vallalar in 1872) which is shown six times on Thaipoosam. Ramalinga Swamigal, popularly known as Vallalar, established the Sathya Dharma Sala on May 23, 1867 to feed the poor, and the oven he lighted that day is still burning to continue the charitable gesture.
Legend has it that on this day Goddess Parvati gave her son Lord Muruga an invincible lance to destroy Tharakasuran and other demons who were creating destruction on earth. Hence, this festival of Thaipusam is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil and is believed to mark Muruga's birthday.
And when the prayers are answered, devotees fulfil their vows by piercing their body. Many displayed their fervour by carrying heavy ornate metal structures called kavadis, affixed to their bodies with sharp metal spikes that are hammered into the skin.
Thaipusam in Malaysia
More than a million Hindus also gathered in temples across Malaysia on Thursday to celebrate the annual festival. Most Malaysians are Muslim, but the country also has around two million ethnic Indians, mostly descended from labourers brought from Tamil-speaking areas of India by Malaysia's former British colonial masters.
Massive crowds descended on the Batu Caves temple complex on the outskirts of capital Kuala Lumpur to participate in the festival.
Armed with gifts including milk pots and coconuts, which are eventually smashed as offerings, worshippers walked barefoot up 272 steps to reach the temple — an important religious site for Tamil Hindus.
Some devotees appeared to be in a state of trance as they carried the kavadis, which can weigh as much as 100 kg, others pierced their faces with tridents or hung multiple hooks and chains from their bodies in an act of penance.
"My brother is carrying a kavadi today to help the family and also for our other brother who is suffering from a neurological disorder," said A Yuven, as a group of men chanted prayers and percussionists gave encouragement.
(with agency inputs)
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