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    About:Festival Of Thaipusam

    1)Hindu Celebrate In Singapura

    2)Thaipusam-Wikipedia,the encyclpedia

    3)Clebrating Thaipusam in Malaysia

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    Thaipusam

    Thaipusamis a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by theTamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month ofThai(January/February). It is celebrated not only incountries where the Tamil community constitutes amajority, but also in countries where Tamil communities

    are smaller, such as Mauritius[1], Singapore[2] andMalaysia.[3] The word Thaipusam is derived from the monthname Thaiand Pusam, which refers to a star that is at itshighest point during the festival. The festivalcommemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan avel"spear" so he could vanquish the evil demonSoorapadam. There is a misconception among people thatThaipusam marks Murugan's birthday; however, it isbelieved that Vaikhasi Vishakam, which falls in the Vaikhasi

    month (May/June), is Murugan's birthday.[4]

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_calendarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritiushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singaporehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritiushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singaporehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvatihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muruganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soorapadamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soorapadamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soorapadamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soorapadamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muruganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvatihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singaporehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritiushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_calendarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism
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    1)Hindu Celebrate In Singapura

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    Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full

    moon in the Tamil month of Thai. Devotees pray and

    make vows, when the prayers are answered they fulfill

    the vows by piercing parts of their body such as theircheeks, tongues, and backs before carrying a 'Kavadi'

    along a four kilometer route.

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    A devotee pulls his procession burden connected by

    hooks pierced in his back during the Thaipusam

    procession at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

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    A devotee has his tongue and cheeks pierced before

    taking part in the Thaipusam procession at Sri Srinivasa

    Perumal Temple

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    Women carry milk pots on their heads as they start their

    Thaipusam procession at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

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    A devotee has his body pierced with hooks before taking part

    in the Thaipusam procession at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

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    A devotee has his tongue and cheeks pierced before

    taking part in the Thaipusam procession

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    1)Origin

    2)Kavadi2.1 Preparations

    3)Celebrations

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam
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    OriginSkanda (or Murugan) was created during one of the battles

    between the Asuras (or to be more specific Soorapadman)and the Devas. At one point, the latter were defeated several

    times by the former. The Devas were unable to resist the

    onslaught of the Asura forces. In despair, they approached

    Shiva and entreated to give them an able leader under whoseheroic leadership they might obtain victory over the Asuras.

    They surrendered themselves completely and prayed to Shiva.

    Shiva granted their request by creating the mighty warrior,

    Skanda, out of his own power or Achintya Shakti. He at once

    assumed leadership of the celestial forces, inspired them and

    defeated the Asura forces and to recognize that day the

    people created the festival

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muruganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asurashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_(Hinduism)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_(Hinduism)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asurashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murugan
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    KavadiKavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during

    the ceremonial worship ofMurugan, the Tamil God of War.[5]It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam and

    emphasizes debt bondage. The Kavadiitself is a physical

    burden through which the devotees implore for help from the

    God Murugan.[6]Generally, Hindus take a vow to offer a kavadi to idol for the

    purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity. For

    instance, if the devotee's son is laid up with a fatal disease, he

    would pray to Shanmuga to grant the boy a lease of life in

    return for which the devotee would take a vow to dedicate a

    kavadi to Him.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kavadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muruganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muruganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kavadi
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    i

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    Preparations

    Devotees like Avinash Gooransingh prepare for the

    celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and

    fasting approx-48 days before Thaipusam. Kavadi-bearershave to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of

    assuming the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Murugan.

    The kavadi-bearer observes celibacy and take only pure,

    Satvik food, once a day, while continuously thinking of God.On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads and

    undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in

    various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of

    kavadi(burdens). At its simplest this may entail carrying a potof milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin,

    tongue or cheeks with velskewers is also common.

    The simplest kavadi is a semicircular decorated canopy

    supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders,

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sattvahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortification_of_the_fleshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortification_of_the_fleshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sattva
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    to the temple. In addition, some have a small spear through

    their tongue, or a spear through the cheeks. The spearpierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly

    of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from speaking and

    gives great power of endurance. Other types of kavadi involve

    hooks stuck into the back and either pulled by another

    walking behind or being hung from a decorated bullock cart

    or more recently a tractor, with the point of incisions of the

    hooks varying the level of pain. The greater the pain the moregod-earned merit.

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    Celebrations

    In Palani, Tamil Nadu, India, Thousands of devotees flock to Palani and

    attend kavadi. According to palani.org, "The number of kavadis reaching

    Palani for Thai Pusam is about 10,000. For Pankuni Uttiram, 50,000

    kavadis arrive. It is kavadi to your right, kavadi to your left, kavadi in

    front of you, kavadi behind you, kavadi above you and kavadi below

    you."[7]

    In Vadalur (Cudalore dist.) near Neyveli, Saint Vallalar (18231874)

    (Ramalinga Adigalar)21-01-1872 Established Sathya Gnana Sabai,(LotusTemple) inside he kept 7 Screens and Camphor lighted Jothi, every

    thaipoosam day early morning 6pm then 10pm,afternoon 1 pm

    then,evening 7 pm, then night 10 pm, and next day early morning

    5.30,am like six time full screen Jothi Darisan showing,in this temple.and every monthly Poosam day evening 7 pm half screen Jothi Darshan

    performing.This was established in the year 1872,the Arutperumjothi

    Darshan. can be seen monthly once and Yearly six times only, The state

    Government Declare local Holiday for the cudalore district.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palanihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Naduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Naduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palani
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    In Haripad Subramayawsami Temple, Alapuzha, Kerala is famous for

    Kavadiyattom.Almost 5000 kavadis coming to the temple from many

    temples in the locality. garga

    In Vaikom, Kerala, India, Thai Pusam festival is conducted with Kaavadis

    at Udayanapuram Subramanya temple. Devotees take panchamritha

    kaavadi, paal kaavadi, bhasma kaavadi, etc.

    In Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, Thai Pusam festival is

    conducted at Satyavageeswara temple. The utsava moorthy is taken inprocession on a vahanam (mount). There is nel(Paddy)parai alappu or

    Nel alavu, as a ritual performed for good luck and prosperity.

    In Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Thai Pusam festival is conducted at NallurKandhasamy Temple. Many Tamil devotees irrespective of religion take

    part in celebrations. Even Tamils from Roman Catholic faith and Muslims

    take part in Thai Pusam celebrations and take Kavadis.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haripad_Subramayawsami_Temple&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alapuzhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keralahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaikomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keralahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karamanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiruvananthapuramhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keralahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nallurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffnahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffnahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nallurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keralahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiruvananthapuramhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karamanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keralahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaikomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keralahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alapuzhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haripad_Subramayawsami_Temple&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haripad_Subramayawsami_Temple&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haripad_Subramayawsami_Temple&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haripad_Subramayawsami_Temple&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haripad_Subramayawsami_Temple&action=edit&redlink=1
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    3)Clebrating Thaipusam in

    Malaysia

    Devotees will start by cleansing their bodies through fasting and abstinence

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    Devotees will start by cleansing their bodies through fasting and abstinence,

    and usually observe a vegetarian diet for a certain period of time. On the day

    of Thaipusam, pilgrims will wash themselves in nearby rivers as well as have

    their heads shaved.

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    The newly shaven head is then smeared with sandalwood, a

    pale yellow powder which is holy to the Hindus.

    n a trance t e evotees w t en ma e t e r way to

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    n a trance, t e evotees w t en ma e t e r way tothe temple where they will endure great flights of

    stairs to the cave.

    Th K di

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    The Kavadi

    Devotees undergo the walk, carrying containers of milk, water, fruits and

    floral tributes as offerings to Lord Murugan either by hand or on their

    heads.

    However some devotees will carry the offerings on their shoulders using decorated

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    However some devotees will carry the offerings on their shoulders using decorated

    carriers called kavadi. The carrying of the kavadi is known to be one of the most

    fascinating sights of the festival. The kavadican be as simple as a wooden stock with

    two baskets at each ends, slung across the shoulder. But some kavadiare decorated

    with flowers and peacock feathers as well as adorned with many brass bells.

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    There are also other types ofkavadithat involve hooks,

    skewers and small lances called vel being stuck into the

    devotees body, where pots and fruits are hung.

    Some hooks are attached to the backs of the devotees and

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    Some hooks are attached to the backs of the devotees and

    they are either pulled by another walking behind or hung on

    chariots and decorated bullock carts.

    As the chariot passes the streets other devotees smash coconuts as

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    As the chariot passes the streets, other devotees smash coconuts as

    offerings and give thanks to the deity as well as for the devout to

    cleanse themselves of sin.

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    Many pierce their tongues and cheeks using spears as a constant reminder of

    the Lord, where their speech is impaired and therefore they have full

    concentration and better endurance in the walk. Consecrated ash is sprinkled

    over the hooks and skewers before they are removed from the flesh of thedevotees. There is no blood shed during the process of piercing and removal of

    the hooks.

    Malaysia is a multicultural country and although Thaipusam is usually

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    Malaysia is a multicultural country and although Thaipusam is usually

    celebrated by the Indians, there have been sights of people from other races

    and ethnic groups that bear the kavadi and pay homage to Lord Murugan.

    People from all over the world come to witness this exciting festival unravel

    before their eyes.

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    The End