Thai Poosam is a festival that is very important to Tamil Hindus. It is celebrated not only by the Tamil community in India but also by the Tamil diaspora in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, etc. It falls on Poornima (full moon day) and Poosam star day in the Tamil month of Thai (January – February). The festival is in honor of Murugan, the son of Shiva and Parvati.
Thai Poosam Legend
Legend says that, on this day, Murugan embarked on a military campaign to kill the demon Tharakasura who had been tormenting humans and gods alike. He had 12 weapons, of which 11 had been given to him by Shiva and one (‘Vel’ or lance) by Parvati. He defeated Tharakasura and killed the demons with his Vel and other weapons. Therefore, this day celebrates the victory of good over evil. Muruga devotees offer him fruits and flowers that are yellow or orange in color on this day, as they are his favorite colors. He is also draped in clothes of these colors. His idol is taken in procession on a silver chariot as well, and many perform the Kavadi ritual to honor him.
Murugan and Idumban
The story goes that Shiva gave two hills (Shivagiri hill and Shaktigiri hill) to Sage Agastya and told him to place them in south India. The sage entrusted the task to his disciple Idumban. Idumban attached the two hills on each end of a beam and carried the beam on his shoulder. When he reached half-way, he put down the beam to rest. After a while, he stood up to continue his journey but couldn’t move the hills as they felt very heavy.
As he was trying to lift the beam, he saw a boy and asked for help. The boy refused. He said that the hills belonged to him. Idumban got angry, and they had a fight. Soon, Idumban realized that the boy was Murugan. Murugan had increased the weight of the hills. Though Idumban was killed in the fight, Murugan revived him, and he became a great devotee of Murugan. Hence, anyone who carries Kavadi on their shoulders to Murugan temples can get his blessings.
What is Kavadi Attam?
Kavadi is a ceremonial walk symbolizing sacrifice. It ends at the Murugan temple. Devotees who complete this walk feel immense satisfaction and experience a spiritual awakening. They also believe that it can remove obstacles and difficulties in their life.
Devotees have to follow certain rules to perform the Kavadi ritual. The preparation begins 48 days before Thai Poosam and helps eliminate all mental and physical impurities. The following rules help devotees to purify themselves.
· Eating vegetarian food.
· Avoiding drugs (intoxicants) and alcohol.
· Contemplating God all the time.
· Abstinence from sex.
· Avoiding all desires or pleasures.
· Sleeping on the floor and avoiding luxuries.
· Shaving the head.
After observing the above rules, devotees need to maintain a 24-hour fast a day before the festival. This self-purification is also a form of sacrifice.
Significance of Kavadi
On the day of Thai Poosam, devotees walk to the Murugan temple carrying a Kavadi, which can be as simple as a pot of milk and flowers suspended from a wooden beam on each end. They can increase the load of the Kavadi by adding more objects. By carrying this burden, they show their strength and will. They also decorate the Kavadis with flowers and peacock feathers (peacock is Murugan’s mount). They also have bells to announce the presence of the those who carry the Kavadi. The bearers have to remain silent during the journey.
Some devotees walk barefoot and gather materials for the Kavadi by stopping at houses on the way. The people who give them materials also get the deity’s blessings. Some devotees even hurt themselves by piercing their bodies with hooks, skewers, and small Vels or lances. They pierce their tongues and cheeks so that they cannot speak and thereby concentrate on Muruga fully. Others pull chariots with hooks that are attached to their bodies. Such acts put them into a trance, so they don’t feel the pain.
The following offerings are carried as Kavadi-
· Milk, signifying good life and prosperity
· Coconut, signifying conceiving progeny
· Honey which signifies honesty
· Lime signifying enemies
· Rose water, representing wealth and success
· Ghee, representing freedom and letting go of things
· Turmeric powder, signifying worries and debts
· Flowers representing progress
· Holy ash, signifying divine blessings
· Sour milk, signifying sickness and bad things
How Temples Celebrate Thai Poosam?
Thai Poosam is celebrated grandly in the 6 abodes of Muruga called Arupadaiveedus in Tamil Nadu, as well as other Muruga temples.
Palani Temple, Tamil Nadu
At the Palani hill temple, Thai Poosam is celebrated with pomp. Tens of thousands of devotees visit the temple on this day. One can see many Kavadi bearers walking barefoot to the temple, their bodies pierced with small lances and hooks. They also apply holy ash or vibhuti on their forehead.
Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Here the Satyavageeswara temple has grand celebrations. There is a procession of Murugan’s idol, and people perform Kavadi for prosperity and success.
Batu caves, Malaysia
There are 3 main caves. Visitors climb 272 steps to reach them. Millions visit these caves during Thai Poosam. The procession begins at Maha Mariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur. It takes 8 hours to reach the Batu caves.
Penang, Malaysia
The festival is celebrated for 3 days here. The procession begins from Little India and makes its way to the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple on Jalan Dato Keramat, which is 4 miles away. Many devotees pull Muruga’s statue in a chariot. Kavadi bearers, too, are part of the procession. They carry things like milk and flowers or heavier substances.
Singapore
There is a chariot procession from Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India, which ends after 4 kilometers at Thandayuthapani Temple on 15 Tank Road. Thousands of spectators watch the procession. Around 10,000 devotees take part as Kavadi-bearers and Kavadi-dancers. There is also music with people playing the drums and clarinet.
Thai Poosam 2024 is on February 25.
Palani Temple, Tamil Nadu
At the Palani hill temple, Thai Poosam is celebrated with pomp. Tens of thousands of devotees visit the temple on this day. One can see many Kavadi bearers walking barefoot to the temple, their bodies pierced with small lances and hooks. They also apply holy ash or vibhuti on their forehead.
Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Here the Satyavageeswara temple has grand celebrations. There is a procession of Murugan’s idol, and people perform Kavadi for prosperity and success.
Batu caves, Malaysia
There are 3 main caves. Visitors climb 272 steps to reach them. Millions visit these caves during Thai Poosam. The procession begins at Maha Mariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur. It takes 8 hours to reach the Batu caves.
Penang, Malaysia
The festival is celebrated for 3 days here. The procession begins from Little India and makes its way to the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple on Jalan Dato Keramat, which is 4 miles away. Many devotees pull Muruga’s statue in a chariot. Kavadi bearers, too, are part of the procession. They carry things like milk and flowers or heavier substances.
Singapore
There is a chariot procession from Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India, which ends after 4 kilometers at Thandayuthapani Temple on 15 Tank Road. Thousands of spectators watch the procession. Around 10,000 devotees take part as Kavadi-bearers and Kavadi-dancers. There is also music with people playing the drums and clarinet.
Thai Poosam 2024 is on February 25.
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