Thaipusam 2020

Penang, Saturday, 8th February 2020.

Thaipusam is a festival celebrated among hindus which falls on every full moon in the tamil month of Thai. The word Thaiusam represents 2 parts. THAI represnting the tamil month of this auspicious day, and PUSAM representing the star Pusam which is the highest pointing star of this day.

There are many stories behind this celebration but this one is the most famous among all.

Once upon a time there was a demon asura named Tarakasura who was disturbing/attacking the Devas, rishis, and saints. Tarakasure was a very powerful demon and all the Devas, rishis and saints were helpless against his power. Thus, they prayed to Lord Shiva to help them. Lord Shiva and his wife, Parvathi, called their son Muruga (was was created by them), to destroy Tarakasura and his demon army. Lord Muruga was given 11 celestial weapons by his father and 1 extremely powerful weapon called the VEL, from his mother. Lord Muruga then led the Devas to destroy Tarakasura and his demon army. Tarakasura was finally defeated by Lord Muruga himself by the VEL on the full moon of the THAI month where the PUSAM star was the highest. Since that day, Thaipusam is celebrated among hindus in victory of this event. 

This year, I went back to Penang to celebrate Thaipusam with my family. Every year, my father carries a kavadi on Thaipusam day. It is a sacrifial process to carry a kavadi. People usually carry a kavadi for personal reasons. Some examples are making a wish or in remembrance

 of a lost loved one. This year, my father and sister were taking it and i couldn't miss the opportunity to support and join them on this spiritual journey. 

I took a flight from Melaka Airport straight after classes on Friday and travelled back home to Penang. It was Saturday morning when we started our journey from Sri Mahamariamman Temple to Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple. It was about a 7km walk which took us around 2 hours. My stay in Penang wasn't long as I had to fly back Sunday morning.  I took opportunity on the limited time that i had here by experiencing Thaipusam with my family and enjoying the food served.

My sister and her kavadi

My dad and his kavadi; just before we started walking

My dad and some piercings

Walking at Western road

One of an arc at the bottom of the hilltop temple

The last steps to the hilltop temple

Me unscrewing the platform from my dad's kavadi after our journey

My mom and I <3

A quick selfie with my dad during the walk