Counting Down to Thaipusam 2023 - 49 More Days

As the year comes to an end, it is time to prepare for the coming year. Tomorrow (December 20th) marks the start of the 48 day fast (mandala viratham) for those who intend to carry kavadi (burden) for the coming Thaipusam (in February 2023).

In Malaysia, Thaipusam falls on February 5th 2023. Whilst the Pusam star in the month of Thai in 2023 reaches the highest point around 1.13pm on the 4th of February 2023, the festival is officially set for the following day.

This is because Thaipusam can only considered to begin after the Theertochavam ceremony of Lord Muruga's Vel (bathing of the divine spear) had been carried out and that ceremony can only be conducted in the morning. Hence Thaipusam officially falls on February 5th in 2023.

Carrying the kavadi (burden) is no easy feat and the preparation includes a 48 day fast. This fast or mandala viratham must be completed before the day of carrying the kavadi, and entails austerities like sleeping on the floor (no beds or soft bedding), taking only sattvic diet, taking only cold baths, abstaining from sex, and for men they will not shave or cut their hair in this period.

So today is 49 days to the actual day of Thaipusam in 2023 and we are all looking forward to the festival next year minus all the SOPs of the pandemic.

Thaipusam 2022 - Another year of the festival under the pandemic and the pandemonium of SOPs

Amidst the last minute announcement of new SOPs by the government for the festival, which threw confusion and chaos amongst devotees as to what is allowed for the festival, Thaipusam 2022 kick-started in Kuala Lumpur last night with the silver chariot carrying the image of Lord Murugan and his consorts leaving the Sri Maha Mariammam temple in town for Batu Caves at around 10pm.

Whilst the crowd was less at the temple compared to pre-Covid times, it was still a sizeable crowd as many thronged to witness the event personally after being unable to do so last year. With restricted stoppages and less devotees offering archanais along the way, the chariot reached its destination in the wee hours of the morning today on 17 January.

Thaipusam falls on the 18th of January, and due to the last minute announcement of the rules by the government, there will be no kavadi carrying allowed at temples in Malaysia this year. However milk pots are allowed and hence it is expected the festival will be a little toned-down as compared to before the pandemic.

Happy Thaipusam 2022 to all!

Thaipusam 2021... Looking Back on Past Celebrations

A blessed Thaipusam to all, and even though we cannot personally attend the festival in Malaysia this year due to Covid-19 lock-down, we can always look back at happy memories of Thaipusam celebrations in the past and hopefully next year we all can join in the festivities once more.

Bathing of the Vel at Sg, Batu river during Thaipusam... (Thirthochava Ceremony)

Eight More Days to Thaipusam 2021... A Different Thaipusam due to Covid-19

Thaipusam is coming up in 8 more days, and yes this year it will be very different in Malaysia due to lock-downs brought about by Covid-19. Missing from this year's celebration would be the chariot procession, kavadis and huge crowds at Batu Caves, Penang and Ipoh as we are under lock-down that will most likely be extended beyond the festival date.

A couple carried their child up Batu Caves as a sign of gratitude for Lord Muruga's blessing,
one day before the second Covid-19 lockdown in Selangor.

Even so, some devotees managed to fulfill their vows of carrying paal kudam (pot of milk) or their baby as a sign of gratitude before the lockdown was imposed. Hopefully this will be the only year that the festival's age old traditions were broken, and we can return to nomalcy next year.

 

Vetrivel Muruganukku Arogara!

UPDATE: MKN has announced that all Thaipusam activities are NOT ALLOWED in temples within Movement Control Order (MCO) and Conditional MCO  (CMCO) states in Malaysia.

 

UPDATE 2: The Thaipusam chariot procession of Batu Caves, Penang and Ipoh has been granted permission to be held but under tight security with no devotees allowed.

Thaipusam 2019 - Steps to Purification

Colourful Festivals of Malaysia - Thaipusam

Thaipusam is one of the top colourful festival that is celebrated in Malaysia, usually either in late January to early February (in 2019 it falls on 21st January) as the dates are based on the Tamil/Indian calendar.

This festival commemorates the occasion of Lord Murugan being given the powerful Vel or spear by his mother the Goddess Pavarti, which he then uses to vanquish the evil Asura Soorapadman. Central to this festival is the Kavadi Attam or the Burden Performance carried out by devotees as a form of penance and devotion to Lord Murugan. 

The carrying of 'burden' can be as simple as a pot of milk, or extend to the elaborate and towering decorated altars that are carried via hooks and rods that pierces the body of the devotee. Hence the festival is sometimes known as festival of piercings. Whilst some devotees appear to be in a trance when pierced and carrying the burden, others appear to be deeply absorbed in meditative state of mind.

A female devotee rolling on the ground until the steps of the
caves as part of her penance. Helping her along the way are
her family members.

In Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves is a popular spot to observe this festival and be forewarned that the energy is really high and explosive, and the crowds maddening. Devotees take on their burden at a spot by the river across the main road, just follow the stream of devotees and you will find it.

In Penang, there are many locations where the devotees are pierced. The market area of Lorong Kulit (behind the city stadium) is where the large kavadis are placed onto the devotees and a good place to catch glimpses of those scary piercings.

Coming up - Thaipusam 2017

Coming up is Thaipusam, which falls on 9th Feb 2017 this year.

Vel! Vel! Veeravel! Vel! Vel! Vetrivel!

Son: Mommy, mommy can I eat this?? Mommy, mommy when are we going to see the world? Mommy, mommy...

Mother: Here son... have this (passes a Vel to her son) 
Son: Ooo, magic Vel (spear)!
Mother: Yes dear, now go play outside, don't make a mess in here... 
Son: Can I go play (beat up) with the (bad) kid next door, Soorapadman? Please, please?
Mother: Ughhh... just play nice, OK?
Son: Okay Mommy (YES! I am so gonna split him in half)

The Face of Penance... Thaipusam 2015

The Face of Penance... Thaipusam 2015, Penang.
185mm, f/5, 1/320s, ISO 320