Thaipusam festival Singapore 2002

Thaipusam is the most dramatic Hindu festival.

Conventional wisdom is that it celebrates the day that the Goddess Parvathi gave her son Murugan the invincible vel (lance) to vanquish the evil asuras (demons) Soorpadman, Singamugam and Tarakasuran as well as their army of soldiers. 

An alternative story is that one day, during the full moon of the Tamil month of 'Thai", Idumban, a devotee of Lord Subramaniam received a divine message to go to the hills to pay homage to the Lord. All the way to the shrine, Idumban sang hymns in praise of Lord Subramaniam to forget the weight he had to bear. Pleased with the devotion shown by Idumban, the Lord showered many blessings on him. Thaipusam commemmorates Idumban's devotion and it is believed that devotees carrying the kavadi will have their wishes granted. (Thanks to Singapore Hindu Endowment Board for advising of this story)  

See also Thaipusam 2006

Thaipusam - Kavadi carrier Thaipusam - Milk carrier Thaipusam - Kavadi carrier Thaipusam - Kavadi carrier Thaipusam - Junior milk bearer requiring some support Thaipusam - Kavadi carrier Thaipusam Thaipusam - Hooks for drawing a burden Thaipusam - Kavadi carrier, closeup showing pierced tongue Thaipusam - Kavadi carrier Thaipusam - Spectators join in the procession Thaipusam - Spectators by the wayside Thaipusam - Hooks supporting limes Thaipusam - Pierced cheeks Thaipusam - Offerings to Lord Ganesha Thaipusam - Preparing for removal of the piercing spikes Thaipusam - Loud chanting distracts the kavadi bearer from the pain of the spike Thaipusam - Piercings already removed from cheeks Thaipusam - Massage after long trek bearing milk bowl Thaipusam - Spike removal Thaipusam - Spectators Thaipusam - Technology never far away Thaipusam - Leaving the Sri Thandayuthapani temple Thaipusam - Leaving the Sri Thandayuthapani temple Thaipusam - Leaving the Sri Thandayuthapani temple Thaipusam - Leaving the Sri Thandayuthapani temple Thaipusam - Detail Thaipusam - Leaving the Sri Thandayuthapani temple Thaipusam - Tired after a long night's preparation and walking Thaipusam - In Sri Thandayuthapani temple