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Title: Thaipusam Report
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Hindus celebrate the Indian festival on the tenth month of their calendar. It coincides with the full moon at the end of January and the beginning of February 'Thai'. "Thai" is the Hindu month which falls on 15th of January till 15th of February. 'Pusam' refers to a star which is at its brightest during the period of this festival. Celebrated in all parts of the world where there is a concentration of South Indians.
Thaipusam is one of the most important festivals dedicated to Lord Muruga. Thaipusam is celebrated for the birth of Lord Murugam, which belongs to Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. Lord Shiva, who was told by the gods that only his son would be able to destroy the manifestation of evil that terrorized the world at the time, namely the demon Soorapadman (also known as Padmasura). Lord Muruga was then given a “shakti vel” (blessed spear) by his mother Parvati to accomplish this goal. The “vel” is always present in Thaipusam celebrations and is regarded as a symbol of spiritual power.
Lord Murugam’s vanquishing of the demon Soorapadman symbolizes the release of the soul from ignorance, ego and spiritual enlightenment, a release from earthly sufferings that hinder man from truly knowing God. This is why in the weeks preceding Thaipusam, his devotees practice fasting, eat vegetarian only meals and carry kavadis, which are viewed as ‘burdens’
Kavadi (offering) carriers are devotees, who have requested favours from the deities, either have had the favour granted or wish to pay for past misdeeds. Usually, a vow is made to carry the kavadi for one, three, five or even seven years in succession. Common requests are recovery from illness, success in examinations or business or to beget progeny. Only a small number of women devotees pierce their bodies. Most of them carry pots of milk or a pair of coconuts slung across their shoulders instead.
I went to Batu Caves which is located around 15 km north of Kuala Lumpur. I went there with my coursemates on Thaipusam eve - 29 January 2010. We depart from Kelana Jaya at 8:30pm and we arrive there about 9pm. When we had arrived there, we took 5 minutes to got a parking. The parking fees is RM15. Then we walk few minutes to reach to the celebration location from our parking place. There were very crowded. I think there are more than a million people at the Batu Caves. I heard nice Indian music along the road. The first sign I saw and notice was, there placed deities Lord Ganesh or Lord Murugam statue at the altar in front of their booths. There was also Lord Murugam and his family members’ drawing placed on top of their booths. It showed that Thaipusam is celebrating the birth of Lord Murugam. Among the crowds, there were people who went to the festival just to observe the event without any ritual purpose such as visitors. Some of them brought video recorders and digital cameras to capture the festivals. Some of them were dressed up nicely in traditional clothing. I saw quite many Indians women and children wore colourful sarees. These people were different with those devotees who just dressed in yellow or orange color. According to the informant that we had inquired, people who either dressed up in yellow or orange were devotees which were going to return their vows for Lord Muruga. These are colours associated with the Lord Murugan and in Hinduism, orange is associated with renunciation, hence it’s worn by monks and pilgrims (common in Buddhism as well). This signified that they were the devotees who are going to return their vows to the deity Murugam. I also saw many Indians shaved their hair along the road side. People who shaved their hair and facial hair. People who shave head include male, female, young n also old Indian. I found out that the shaved hair is a offering to their Lord Murugan as a token of gratitude and devotion. Along the way to the cave, I saw many devotees carrying different offering. Women devotees carried a silver jug full of milk on their heads. In return they have proposed to carry the offering if the request is fulfilled. All forms of Kavadis and other offerings performed on the day are to the fulfillment of vows for wishes granted and others for getting their wishes fulfilled by Lord Muruga. The procession to the Batu Caves also include devotees who pierce their toungue and check with ‘vel’ (small lances.) of different sizes. Some insert hooks in their body and some use these hooks to pull heavy objects. Devotees go to any length to display their devotion to Lord Muruga. Each carrier has a group of helper who support and encourage them throughout the ritual and musicians playing traditional instruments. The helpers protect them from the crowds and form a protective ring around the the devotee so that the kavadi carrier can dance freely. Many visitors are attracted to their performance. Most of them are looking or so-called gazing on their performance because those kavadi carriers still can dance freely althought they are carrying heavy kavadi. Musicians too also enjoying themselves while they are playing music, some of them shouting said “capture me!” in exciting state even show the “victory” sign when I capturing them. For those who entered in excited state, they are in the liminal state, which they are not being themselves. They just dance excitedly like forgot their ownself.
While I climb the 272 steps to reach the Lord Muruga shrine in the cave, every people walk very slow because there were too crowded. Along the steps, there are people who wearing uniform and prepare to give help if anyone need help,like not feeling well. When I reach inside, outsiders and visitors get chance to watch the ritual of removing kavadi. After remove the kavadi, I can see those kavadi carriers were back to non-liminal stage, they began to talking, walking freely without burden, while devotees who were carrying kavadi with metal hooks that pierce their body came out from the temple, their body parts which had been pierced were treated by ash. This is a great experience that I never experienced before. I think this is a very good opportunity for me to learn about the others culture and experience such as this Thaipusam festival. I felt very proud to born as Malaysian because Malaysia multi-cultural country. There are many occasions or festivals from other races to expose.

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[ 2 ]. “ Indian Festival: Thaipusam,” Pulau Pangkor.com 2004, 6th Jan 2010

[ 3 ]. “The Legend of Lord Murugan,” Bluehyppo.com. 2007, 6th Jan. 2010
[ 4 ]. “ Indian Festival: Thaipusam,” Pulau Pangkor.com. 2004, 6th Jan 2010

[ 5 ]. “Symbols and Rituals,” Bluehyppo.com2007, 6th Jan. 2010