Thaipusam is one of the important festivals dedicated to Bhagwan Muruga/Kartikeya. It is largely celebrated in Tamil Nadu and by Sri Lankan Hindus & the Tamil Hindu diaspora in South-East Asian countries. Thaipusam falls in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February) and the solar month of Makara according to other Hindu calendars when the Pushya/Pusam nakshatra is prevalent.

Bhagwan Muruga Kovils across the world celebrate the festival with great pomp and splendour. In Kerala’s Alappuzha, a one-day Thaipooyam festival is celebrated annually at the Shree Subrahmanya Swamy Kovil in honour of the presiding deity. Not just Kartikeya Kovils but Bhagwan Shiva and Devi Parvati Mandirs also celebrate the festival.

Interestingly, Thirucherai near Kumbakonam is the only Sri Hari Vishnu Kovil where Thai Pusam is celebrated. According to local Puranas, on the Pushya nakshatra of the Thai month, Sri Hari Vishnu descended on earth to bless Kaveri. A temple festival is held in the Thirucherai Saranatha Kovil. Thirucherai assumes importance as the place where Bhagwan Shiva gave abhaydaan to Maharishi Markandeya.  

Thaipusam is associated with the battle between Asuras (specifically Surapadman) and Devas and the downfall of Surapadman. Surapadman was an Asura born to Asura woman Maya and Rishi Kashyap. Surapadman undertook severe penance to Bhagwan Shiva for several years. Bhagwan Siva is said to have given him darshan and granted him the power to live for a hundred and eight yugas and rule over a thousand and eight kingdoms. Bhagwan also granted him the power to remain undefeatable even by the forces of Sri Hari Vishnu.

Following the blessing from Mahadev, Surapadman and his brothers began bothering the Devas. When the Devas were unable to bear the onslaught of the Asuras, they prayed to Bhagwan Shiva to help them. Mahadev nominated His son Kartikeya/Subrahmanya/Muruga to lead the army of the Devas and fight the asuras. Puranas state that Maa Parvati gave a Vel (lance) to Her son Sri Muruga to defeat Surapadman. This Vel is known as Aparajita meaning invincible and assured Muruga’s victory.

On this day, devotees take Kavadis and milk pots to Kartikeya Kovils. Many devotees even pierce Vels as an offering to Bhagwan. Devotees take bath early in the morning and prepare for the Thaipusam celebrations in which many rituals are followed. They offer orange or yellow colour fruits and flowers to Bhagwan Muruga.

Devotees participate in the procession and carry Kavadi (wooden bamboo structure with ends of pots filled with milk, fruits and flowers, decorated with feathers of peacocks and clothes) on their heads and shoulders. Many traditional ceremonies and folk Kavadi Attam dances are performed during the procession.

While the festival is celebrated with great fervour in all Subrahmanya and Shiva Mandirs, the celebrations at the six abodes of Bhagwan Muruga (Aaru Padai Veedu) are a sight to behold. A 10-day Brahmotsavam is conducted at Pazhani Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Kovil. The Thirukalyanam (celestial wedding) of Bhagwan and Devi is conducted on the day of Thaipusam in Pazhani. Special festivities are also conducted at Chidambaram Nataraja Kovil and Madurai Sri Meenakshi Amman Kovil.   

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