Celebrated during the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai, which is falling on 21 January this time, the Tamil community in the country and the world over are set to celebrate Lord Murugan’s Thaipusam festival.

Devotees pray for Lord Murugan’s, considered the son of Lord Shiva, forgiveness and for good health, peace in their lives.

As far as the story goes, Thaipusam is the day when the world was born. Lord Murugan was denoted as Tamil Kadavul at the time when the world was born.

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Saint Ramalinga Swamigal, also know as  Vallalar, was also born in the Thai month when the punarpusam star is at its highest, so the people around Vadalur also celebrate this Thaipusam day as Vallalar day.

Kavadi Attam is the main ritual in the festival, wherein the devotees carry a Kavadi (a structure made from bamboo and lavishly decorated) on their shoulders which denotes carrying a physical burden to relieve them of their mental burdens.

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As part of the rituals during the festival, devotees pierce their skins, tongue and cheeks while they join the procession. Some devotees walk over burning coals carrying a Kavadi on their shoulders while some devotees carry a pal kudam (milk pots), and flower offerings along the way.

Devotees dressed in orange and yellow are expected to throng Tamil Nadu Murugan temples in a huge procession. The Arupadai Veedugal – the six main temples of Lord Murugan – will offer special pooja during the festival.

Other than Tamil Nadu, Singapore and Malaysian Murugan temples too are celebrating Thaipusam today. At the 223-years-old Sri Subramaniar temple in Batu Caves, Malaysia, lakhs of Hindu devotees and tourists will make a visit today, after the renovation of the temple and the vibrant new look and colourful 272-steps pathway that leads to the temple.

Now to our surprise  the Prime Minister of Singapore has addressed the festival in his official social media accounts which is winning hearts of Tamil people.

His tweet in Facebook read as “Today is Thaipusam. During this 2-day festival of thanksgiving, devotees carry milk pots and kavadis in procession to seek blessings and express gratitude.

Thaipusam is a vibrant, yet solemn, festival. Devotees prepare for it well in advance, purifying their minds and bodies to fulfil their vows. I wish all Hindu devotees a fulfilling and meaningful Thaipusam!”

Check out his post with the picture here :

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Check out his post in the twitter account here :

Today is #Thaipusam, a vibrant yet solemn festival of thanksgiving. Wishing all Hindu devotees a fulfilling & meaningful Thaipusam! – LHL https://t.co/hxP6JL6htM pic.twitter.com/xJo1LAzrZP

— Lee Hsien Loong (@leehsienloong) January 21, 2019

Check out the reactions from the Tamil people here :

Thankyou for the greeting sir

— Thiru (@Thiru_1990) January 21, 2019

Sir, this is not for Hindu; #ThaiPoosam is a ideal festival only for tamilans. There is a lot of differences between #Tamilan and #Hindu#முப்பாட்டன்முருகன்#Murugan#தைப்பூசம் #தைப்பூசத்திருவிழா pic.twitter.com/3L9G45YQaA

— தேனிக்காரன் (@theni_twits) January 21, 2019

Thank you PM sir! Wishing you too!

— Rajat 🇮🇳 (@aararaaa217) January 21, 2019

Thank you for your greetings on this auspicious day!! Good morning, Sir!!

— murali (@movurumuralee) January 21, 2019

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