Thaipusam – All You Need to Know

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated by Tamil communities, particularly in India and Malaysia. Thaipusam 2023 is falling on the 5th of February and will be celebrated with devotion to the Hindu deity Lord Murugan. The festival is popular among the Tamil community. Since Lord Murugan used his divine Vel to defeat the demons, Thaipusam signifies the victory of good over evil.

In Malaysia, Thaipusam is a national holiday and one of the largest celebrations of the year. The festival is celebrated in the Batu Caves temple near Kuala Lumpur, where hundreds of thousands of devotees gather to participate in the procession and offer prayers. The festival features music, dance, and offerings, and culminates with the piercing of the skin, tongue, and cheeks with hooks and the carrying of kavadis. The festival is a symbol of sacrifice, devotion, and self-purification for the participants.

The term ‘Thaipusam’ is derived from a combination of Thai and Pusam. According to the Tamil calendar, Thai is the tenth month, and Pusam is the name of a lunar mansion. Besides Malaysia, the festivities were also observed in Sri Lanka, Singapore, India, Mauritius, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, and many other nations.

History and Significance of Thaipusam in Malaysia

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Murugan or Lord Kartikeyan. He was the son of Lord Shiva and is an important deity in the Hindu culture.

There are numerous mythological stories associated with Thaipusam. According to these, Soorapadman was a powerful demon who once waged war against the gods. All Devas were unable to control the powers of Soorapadman and asked Lord Shiva for help. As a result, Lord Shiva created Skanda/Murugan to defeat the demons. Lord Murugan then led the gods to victory and marked the origin of the Thaipusam festival. As per legends, Lord Murugan was given a divine javelin (Vel) by Goddess Parvati to defeat the demons.

While some mark Thaipusam as the birthday of Lord Murugan, some consider it the day when he defeated Soorapadman. Some mythological sources suggest that Lord Murugan was born in the month of Vaikasi according to the Hindu calendar.

One should know the significance of Thaipusam if they plan to join the celebrations in Malaysia. Apart from celebrating his victory, people thank Lord Murugan for protecting them and seek his blessings during the festival. Lord Kartikeya is associated with war, and devotees show their courage to the Lord during the celebrations.

Thaipusam 2023 celebrations in Malaysia

Thaipusam 2023 celebrations will start 48 hours from the festival by fasting just like every year. Hindu devotees keep their bodies clean and fast by eating only satvik food.

Many devotees pierce their skin with Vel-shaped spears on Thaipusam as the Lord defeated the demon using that weapon. Body mortification is a common ritual that you will observe during celebrations in Malaysia. Hindu devotees usually dress up in orange/yellow clothing during the festival.

During the festival, Hindu devotees walk barefooted to any popular temple of Lord Murugan. There are numerous temples of the deity in Malaysia that observe huge gatherings. Some devotees walk for more than a week to reach a temple.

Many devotees also carry a Kavadi (decorated wooden rod) on their shoulders to the temple during Thaipusam. Kavadi consists of food offerings to be presented in front of Lord Murugan. However, if someone cannot bring Kavadi during the pilgrimage walk, they get a pot of milk. Also, not everyone that comes undergoes self-mortification. People believe that the energy of Lord Murugan flows in his devotees that helps in absorbing pain during self-mortification.

Thaipusam 2023 Venue

In 2023, Thaipusam celebrations in Malaysia are to be held with traditional religious rituals and cultural celebrations.

There will also be live music, cultural performances, and food stalls serving traditional Indian dishes. Visitors can expect to see a vibrant and colorful atmosphere filled with the sounds of traditional music and the sights of elaborate kavadi decorations.

The Thaipusam celebrations in Malaysia are a unique and fascinating experience that showcases the country’s rich cultural heritage. Visitors are welcome to participate in the festivities and can expect to be entertained and educated about this important Hindu festival.

Thaipusam in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

Batu Caves, located in Kuala Lumpur, is one of the most popular places to celebrate Thaipusam in Malaysia. The temple complex is dedicated to Lord Murugan and attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees each year. The temple is decorated with colorful lights, flowers, and banners, creating a festive atmosphere for the celebration.

Some of the other places in Malaysia where Thaipusam 2023 will see grand celebrations are:

• Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur
• Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, Penang
• Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Bunton
• Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniar Temple, Gunung Cheroh
• Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Sungai Petani

Read more on Temples in Malaysia

How to Reach Batu Caves?

Batu Caves can be reached easily via train as there is a nearby station. You can also find a bus to Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur and other areas. It is easy to check bus details online on the redBus mobile application and website.

How to Reach Batu Caves from KL Sentral

Batu Caves being a popular tourist spot, has got a train station nearby. The train services are available from KL Sentral. You need to take the KTM Komuter to reach the caves. There also are bus services that connect Batu Caves to the outer world.

Buses are the best mode of transportation for getting around in Malaysia. Be it Batu Caves or Penang, you could easily reach your destination by bus. By booking bus tickets online using redBus, people could safely book their desired seats on any bus in Malaysia.

Some of the top bus operators that help people reach the various temples are as follows:
• Jasmine Express
• Maraliner
• Pancaran Matahari
• KPB Ekspress
• Kesatuan Express
• StarMart Express
• Mayang Sari Express
• UBT Liner Express

Conclusion

Thaipusam is an important festival in Malaysia and is celebrated with great devotion by the Tamil community. The festival is a testamentto the rich cultural heritage of the country and offers a unique experience to visitors who wish to witness this incredible celebration. Whether you are a devotee or simply a curious traveler, Thaipusam 2023 is a must-visit festival if you happen to be in Malaysia around this time!

To know about bus booking in Malay, please visit – Online Tiket Bas