Ashta Bhairava Invocation to 8 Fierce Forms of Shiva Helps Remove Obstacles, Master Time, Manifest Material Goals & Attain Fame, Power & Status JOIN NOW
Ashburn, United States of America Click to Change Your Location

Thaipusam 2019

calender icon

January 21, 2019, Monday

Click the 'Play' button to read out loud this webpage content

What is Thai Poosam/Thaipusam?

Thai Poosam festival is celebrated by Tamils on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai, between January and February. It honors Lord Muruga, Son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is regarded as a day when good triumphed over evil. The Tamil-speaking community across Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and South Africa also celebrate it with verve.

History of Thai Poosam/Thaipusam

Thai Poosam

Lord Muruga is the commander of the Devas, and is bestowed with enormous powers. On this day, Parvati gave Muruga a lance or Vel, which is the symbol of “Brahma Jnanam” or absolute knowledge. It was given to Lord Muruga to help him conquer the demon Surapadman’s army.

Significance of Thai Poosam/Thaipusam

On this day, Mother Goddess Parvati gave him this divine weapon to protect the world from harm. The “Vel” is a symbol of light and wisdom used by Lord Muruga to rid all the evil forces and to restore peace and balance to the universe. Lord Muruga overcame the evil forces, which were tormenting humans and all the sages across Trilok, or three different universes. The three Asuras are compared to the three evils that afflict humans - ego, attachment, and hatred.

Related Searches:

Why do we celebrate Thaipusam? What is meant by Thaipusam Why do we carry Kavadi? Significance of Thaipusam what is thaipusam What is the significance of kavadi? How long does Thaipusam last?
How to celebrate Thai Poosam/Thaipusam?

Lord Muruga frees people from their bad karma and enriches their lives with positivity. On this day, people undertake acts of penance such as carrying the “kavadi” (burden). People with special wishes carry it, marking their deep love and faith for Lord Muruga.

Lots of people walk long distances to reach the temple, (this is called “Pada Yatra”, meaning a path covered by walk). Before taking the Pada Yatra, they observe a month-long fast. They avoid taking non-vegetarian food and take only vegetarian food cooked in the traditional method. People offer special prayers, sing bhajans, and chant divine couplets. Many people go into a state of trance.

“Paal Kudam”, or a pot of milk, is also carried by the devotees. This milk is further submitted at the divine feet of Lord Muruga. “Abishekam”, or hydration is performed on the Lord. People pray for their problems to be solved. Once the problem is overcome, the milk pot is brought as a tribute to Lord Muruga.

“Anna Danam”, (mass feeding) is performed, as feeding people is considered to be holy. Many devotees take part in it and volunteer their service or donate money to be a part of this selfless service. Body piercing with Vel is also carried out. Some worshippers pierce their cheek and tongue.

People also offer special prayers at home and decorate the Lord’s idols. Prasadams or special feast is also offered to God. Vrat is strictly followed, with people consuming just one meal a day along with fruits and milk for the rest of the day.

Thai Poosam/Thaipusam across the world:

Tamil people living across the globe consider Thai Poosam a special festival and celebrate it. Batu Caves, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has a Muruga Temple, which has a statue of Lord Muruga, more than 140 feet tall. In Singapore, Srilanka and Penang this festival is celebrated with great energy. Thaipusam is also celebrated in the US, Australia, Canada, and South Africa.

Benefits of celebrating Thai Poosam/Thaipusam:

Muruga showers his divine grace to help people overcome their problems.

  • It is a day of wisdom and enlightenment. People pray on this day to receive knowledge and gain the power of intelligence. In this era, education and knowledge is a great tool to gain enormous prominence and reputation.
  • Divine “Vel” is a great amulet. By opening towards Lord Muruga’s Vel, they receive enormous protection against any sort of destruction and evil things. Greatly, lord destroys the negative spirits, then opens the broadmindedness to consider all the people as their kith and Kin.
  • It brings peace and tranquillity in life. People who have problems with their kith and kin will be able to face such challenges and overcome them. Lord Muruga helps them unite with the family again.
Connect With The Divine

The sacred scriptures prescribe fire ceremony, Abishekam (hydration ceremony), Pooja/Archana (Light and Sound ceremony), Yantra and Mantra (special sounds) as the ways to offer your prayer to the divine. Out of these, fire ceremony is the most evolved spiritual technology on earth to connect with the divine beings. Participate in the remedial services to clear your karma and receive the blessings.

Muruga Pooja

Muruga Pooja is dedicated to Lord Muruga, the son of Lord Shiva and the God of victory.

Muruga Fire Lab (Homa)

This homa (Fire Lab) invokes Lord Muruga as the chief archetype. His mother, Goddess Parvati, gifted him the Vel (spear), a psychic weapon...

Subramanya Yantra

Yantras are great cosmic conductors of energy, an antenna of Nature, a powerful tool for harmony, prosperity, success, good health, yoga and meditation.

AstroVed's Latest Thaipusam Ceremonies