Thaipoosam festival is celebrated to worship Lord Murugan (Kartikeya) by Tamil Hindus in South India (Palani, Tamil Nadu, Kerala), Malaysia & many countries. Kavadi Attam and many rituals, processions are performed during Thaipusam. Thaipusam is known by many names Thaipoosam, Thai Poosam, Thaipooyam.
What is the Thaipusam festival ?
Thaipusam (Thaipoosam) festival is celebrated by Hindu Tamil community to worship Lord Murugan (or called Lord Kartikeya). Thaipusam is celebrated in Tamil month ‘Thai’ on the full moon day which falls in January or February every year. Thaipoosam is derived from 2 words – ‘Thai’ (name of tamil month) and ‘Poosam’ (the name of star on its peak), an auspicious day of Full moon. Devotees visit temples, worship Lord Murugan and many rituals are performed during Thaipusam day. Checkout Thaipusam web-story tamil hindu festival.
Thaipusam Rituals & Celebrations ?
Devotees take an early bath and prepare for the Thaipoosam celebrations and many rituals are performed. Devotees offer orange or yellow color fruits and flowers to Lord Murugan. Devotees participate in the procession and carry Kavadi (wooden bamboo structure with ends of pots filled with milk, fruits and flowers, decorated with feathers of peacock and clothes) on their heads and shoulders. Many traditional ceremonies and folk ‘Kavadi Attam’ dances are performed during the procession.
Devotees pray and to fulfill vows, pierce parts of the body like cheeks, tongues, backs before carrying Kavadi. Devotees believe that doing self punishment gets rid of them of arrogance, greed, and hatred.
Thaipusam festival History (what’s the Story)
Thaipusam is dedicated to Lord Murugan (or Kartikeya) son of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that Goddess Parvati gave a divine ‘spear’ to Lord Kartika to defeat the demons Tarkasura, Soopradaman, Singamugan and their army. Devotees celebrate this festival to celebrate the victory of Lord Murugan. And Thaipusam signifies the victory of good over evil.
How Countries celebrate Thaipoosam ?
Thaipusam is celebrated in many countries like Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and India.
Thaipusam is celebrated in India’s Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and South Indian states. There are 6 major temples / houses of Lord Murugan called ‘Arupadai Veedu’ which you must visit once.
- Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy temple, Thiruparankundram, Madurai, T.N.
- Thiruchendur Murugan Temple (kovil, Tiruchendur), Thoothukudi, T.N.
- Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani, Dindigul, T.N.
- Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, T.N.
- Subramaniya Swamy Temple (kovil), Thiruthani(Thiruttani), Tiruvallur, T.N.
- Pazhamudircholai Solaimalai Murugan Temple, Madurai, T.N.
– Sri MuthuMalai Murugan Temple, Puthiragoundampalayam, Attur, Salem, T.N.
Devotees who can not goto Malaysia’s Murugan temple Batu Caves, can visit the Sri Muthumalai Murugan temple which is now the world’s tallest ‘146 feet’ Murugan statue in Salem district constructed by the same constructor Tiruvarur Thiyagrajan. Its Sridhar the Chairman of Sri Muthumalai Murugar Trust who decided to construct a temple.
– Thaipooyam Mahotsavam in Sree Subramanya Swami Temple, Alapuzzha, Kerala.
When is Thaipusam 2025 Date and Timings
This year Thaipusam is on ‘11 February, 2025’. Thaipoosam falls in the month of ‘Thai’ of Tamil month on Full moon day (called ‘Purnima’).
Poosam (Pushya) Nakshatra Timings begin on – 11 February 2025.
FAQs
What is Arupadai veedu ?
Its an tamil word, It means 6 war houses or abode of Lord Murugan, situated in Tamil Nadu. There are other Lord Murugan Temples in Kerala, T.N, Puducherry which you should visit.
Which is the tallest statue Temple of Lord Murugan ?
Sri MuthuMalai Murugan Temple, Puthiragoundampalayam, Attur, Salem, T.N. is now the world’s tallest ‘146 feet height’. And the second tallest is Malaysia’s Murugan temple Batu Caves of 140 feet height.