Why the Thaipusam festival is not for the weak-hearted

Thaipusam is a key festival amongst Tamilians which is observed not only in Tamil Nadu, but also in other Tamilian communities across India, specifically South India, and across the globe. This f

Thaipusam is a key festival amongst Tamilians which is observed not only in Tamil Nadu, but also in other Tamilian communities across India, specifically South India, and across the globe. This festival is solely devoted to Lord Kartikeya or Lord Murugan as is popularly known in Tamil Nadu. Lord Murugan means the Lord who is beautiful. He is worshipped widely in Tamil Nadu because he is chiefly responsible for the Tamil language to have flourished as he was the leader of the academy of poets in Madurai. Hence, he is also known as the Lord of Tamil. The word ‘Thaipusam’ refers to the month of Thai in which the star Pusam is situated. This was the exact time in which Lord Murugan destroyed the demon Tharaksuran, Surapadam and their minions who were creating havoc on earth. It is believed that Goddess Parvathi gifted Murugan, her son a spear which would annihilate these demons. He is the commander in battle of the Gods and this victory is celebrated by way of the Thaipusam festival.

This year, the festival is being held on the 3^rd of February. On the day of the festival, men, women and children wear auspicious colours of yellow and orange, which also happen to be Lord Murugan’s favourite colours. This is a festival that is exciting to behold because of the many acts performed by devotees which they dedicate to the Lord. Devotees throng the roads leading to the Murugan temples and in the processions, one gets to witness some amazing things! Devotees can be seen carrying pots on their heads consisting of offerings of honey, flowers, fruits and milk. They also carry ‘kavadis’ which are structures made of bamboo, steel or wood that is bent in such a way so as to rest across the shoulders of the devotee carrying it; but first they shave their heads! They are meant to be burdens borne on the shoulders of the devotees in order to please Lord Kartikeya. These ‘kavadis’ are decorated in different ways, each more colourful than the other. Some contain the idols of Shiva, Parvathi and Murugan, or the ‘kavadis’ are decorated with colourful cloths, flowers and peacock feathers. Each one is designed as per the imagination of the devotees carrying them.

Many devotees choose to bear the burden of the ‘kavadis’ by constructing them of metal and to balance this, each metal rod pierces their skin across various parts of their body and they carry it all the way to the temple. There are devotees who want to take their devotion one step further by piercing their bodies with metal rods that are shaped like the spear given to Lord Murugan. You will find men, women & kids piercing their cheeks, tongues, arms, stomachs and backs with spears of various sizes. Some do this in order to go into a trance so that they can seek the help and blessings of Lord Kartikeya. Many go through this pain in order to focus fully on the Lord. There are some who attach metal hooks to their backs and pull ‘kavadis’. Devotees wear wooden sandals with nails or spikes and walk all the way to the temple. You will also see followers doing some death defying stunts such as, being suspended in the air by metal hooks that are attached to poles; many of these followers would give Criss Angel, the magician and illusionist, a run for his money! Once these processions reach the temple, they perform certain sacrifices and at the end there is a feast for one and all. Followers also bathe in milk or if there is a holy river or pond, they take a dip in the waters. This festival is a true feast for the eyes but only if you have the heart to witness all the activities mentioned above.