Celebrated on a full moon day, the Thaipusam or Thaipoosam festival is observed and celebrated by members of the Tamilian Hindu community. Malaysia is a country that has always encouraged and embraced its unique diversity when it comes to culture. Malaysia’s Hindu community celebrates Thaipusam with a large amount of enthusiasm as it is among the most important festivals of the year. Malaysians belonging to all religions come together to celebrate this festival with their Hindu brothers and sisters.

Origin and History of Thaipusam 

Combining the words “Thai” that points to the month in which the festival is celebrated according to the Tamil calendar and “Pusam” is the festival of the three-star constellation Thaipusam is celebrated in honor of the deity known as Muruga or otherwise named Subramaniam. According to traditions, this festival is said to have come about during one among the many battles between the demons known as ‘Asuras’ and the gods known as ‘Devas’. On this occasion, the Devas were losing the battle, looked upon Lord Shiva for his guidance, and surrendered themselves completely. Granting their wish and paying heed to their earnest prayers, Lord Shiva created a mighty warrior by the name of Skanda out of his own powers, otherwise known as Achintya Shakti. Skanda led the army of gods to victory against the Asuras, and in memory of his mighty win, Thaipusam is celebrated. 

 

Murugan is known to be the embodiment of Lord Shiva’s divine light and enlightenment. Devotees pray to the deity Murugan for blessings to overcome any obstacles they face in life. Murugan is known to be the vanquisher of all that is negative and evil. The Thaipusam festival is believed to cleanse and destroy all bad habits and traits within devotees and purify their souls. 

 

This festival is thus one that is rooted in Hindu mythological legends and has been brought to Malaysia by 19th-century immigrants belonging to South Indian states. They came to Malaysia to work on the various rubber plantations as well as in government positions. Malaysia prides itself on its cultural diversity and promotes secularity. 

 

When is Thaipusam in 2024? 

 

Thaipusam in 2024 will be observed on Tuesday, January 25th. This date is based on the Tamil calendar and the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai, which typically falls in late January or early February in the Gregorian calendar. Thaipusam is a significant festival, especially among the Tamil community, celebrated with much fervor in various parts of the world.

Is Thaipusam a Public Holiday in Malaysia?

Thaipusam is declared as a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Selangor, Penang, Putrajaya, Johor, Negeri Sembilan only. 

 

How is Thaipusam celebrated in Malaysia?? 

 

Devotees commit to fasting for one whole month before the onset of the Thaipusam festival and celebrations. This is done as an act to purify one’s soul. During this period of fasting, only one vegetable meal is allowed to be eaten once a day, along with regular visits to temples and other pilgrimage locations. A day or 24 hours prior to the festival, all devotees observe a fasting period involving no meals at all (complete fast).

The Hindu community belonging to Malaysia popularly celebrates the Thaipusam festival in the Batu Caves, which is considered to be a sacred location for people adhering to this faith. There are various other locations at which the Thaipusam festivities are done with gusto. These include the Waterfall Hill Temple located (Balathandayuthapani Temple) located in Penang and the Arulmigu Subramaniyar Kallumalai Temple located within Ipoh. 

Devotees from across the country participate in processions involving the carrying of deity Subramaniam’s statue on top of a beautifully decorated silver chariot. This statue of Shiva’s youngest child is paraded to pilgrimage destinations on foot and accompanied by traditional music, which is played in the background. Some devotees carry what is known as a ‘Kavadi’ or an iron frame, which is adorned with beautiful flowers, colorful clothes, materials, and fruits. They mount the frame on their shoulders and parade it around in honor of Lord Subramaniam.

Why do people pierce their bodies during Thaipoosam? 

A few Hindus who are particularly devout participate in the act of piercing their skin, tongue, or lips with an iron (or any other metal) rod as a purification ritual. The act is meant to purify devotees’ souls of any negativity, bad habits, or past committed sins. 

 

Highlights of Thaipusam 2024

 

The Thaipusam festivities are normally on that would cause any spectator to watch in awe. The processions are beautiful and colorful, bringing out the people’s true devotion and displaying it in the form of a parade. 

 

A large number of people that are responsible for carrying the Kavadis gather in big groups and walk together as if in a trance induced by the pleasant rhythms of the “Thavil Vadhyam” as well as the “Nadaswaram” (Indian music). 

 

At the Batu Caves, the Kavadi-carriers climb up over 250 steps to reach the temple’s cave entrance. The Kavadi is placed before the shrine of Murugan. Coconuts, honey as well as milk are served as offerings towards the gods and deity in hopes of blessings.

 

How to reach the Thaipusam venue? 

 

The major Thaipusam venue in Malaysia is the Batu Caves , and the location can be visited through a train as well as bus travel. Booking bus tickets to Batu Caves can be done efficiently and hassle-free through the use of reliable online bus booking platforms like redBus. Tickets to Batu Caves can be booked using either the redBus website or the redBus application. redBus provides direct buses to the Batu Caves while also providing buses to the nearest railway station connecting travelers to the Batu Caves by train. Popular routes to the Batu Caves include: 

 

• Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves 
• Melaka Sentral to Batu Caves 
• Butterworth (Penang) to Batu Caves 

Customers can look for a bus pertaining to their specific location details and choose amongst the plethora of bus booking options provided by redBus.