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What is Thaipusam?

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa and in may parts of the world where Tamil community lives. 'Thai' is a Tamil month and on the day of full moon Thaipusam is celebrated which is believed as the birthday of Hindu God Murugan.

Rituals practiced :

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It is believed that on this day goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva, gave a lance to her son, Lord Murugan, to vanquish the evil army of Tarakasura. So, this is the another celebration of victory of good over evil in Hinduism.

Millions of Hindu participate in this festival all over the world. Body piercing is the main ritual performed in Thaipusam. When devotees' wishes come true, in return, they pierce their body with iron rod or metal skewers. Some people pull heavy things with the hooks pierced in their body. Some pull heavy vehicles like trucks and tractors.

Kavadi :

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After piercing body they carry Kavadi, a vehicle of Lord Murugan. Kavadi is a wooden structure covered with clothes and the feathers of peacock. This Kavadi is carried on their shoulder for 4 kilometers of distance from the temple. Some carry pot filled with milk on their head. Devotees offer Lord Murugan fruits and flowers of yellow or orange color because these are his favorite colors.

Resources :

1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam
2. http://murugan.org/thai.pucam.htm