Thaipusam is a vibrant Hindu festival deservingly marked as a public holiday in Singapore. Its roots align with the Tamil calendar, celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai. Thaipusam is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Murugan, God of War, and its rituals commemorates his victory over the demons Soorapadman, Tarakasuran, and Simhamukhan. The holiday serves both as an occasion for thanksgiving and for paying penance.
Observance of Thaipusam in Singapore is marked by a grand procession, with devotees undertaking a walk from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. Devotees carry a 'Kavadi', a physical burden, which symbolizes offerings made to Lord Murugan for helping them overcome great difficulties. The procession often sees devotees piercing their bodies with skewers and hooks, attaching ornately decorated structures known as 'Kavadis'. This act of penance and devotion is a sight that captures the intense and deeply religious significance of the festival.
The air during Thaipusam in Singapore is filled with the rhythmic beating of drums, further fueling the devotion and spirit of the festival. The public turnout at the processional route is huge, comprising local Singaporeans, tourists, and overseas devotees. The festival concludes with participants removing their Kavadis at the temple, a ritual known as the 'Velvi'. The energy, dedication, and devotion exhibited during Thaipusam make it a unique, deeply rooted festival, which authentically showcases the rich tapestry of Singapore's multicultural heritage.