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Thaipusam

February 11

Thaipusam

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated predominantly by the Tamil community worldwide.Thaipusam is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the deity of youth, power and virtue, who is widely revered in Tamil culture.

Table of Contents

  1. When is Thaipusam?
  2. The History of Thaipusam?
  3. What Do People Do on This Day?
  4. The Tamil Calendar

When is Thaipusam?

Thaipusam is observed annually during the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai, which typically falls in January or February.

The following is the list of Thaipusam from 2020 to 2049.

HolidayDateWeekday
ThaipusamFebruary 08, 2020Saturday
ThaipusamJanuary 28, 2021Thursday
ThaipusamJanuary 18, 2022Tuesday
ThaipusamFebruary 04, 2023Saturday
ThaipusamJanuary 25, 2024Thursday
ThaipusamFebruary 11, 2025Tuesday
ThaipusamFebruary 01, 2026Sunday
ThaipusamJanuary 22, 2027Friday
ThaipusamFebruary 09, 2028Wednesday
ThaipusamJanuary 30, 2029Tuesday
ThaipusamJanuary 20, 2030Sunday
ThaipusamFebruary 06, 2031Thursday
ThaipusamJanuary 27, 2032Tuesday
ThaipusamJanuary 16, 2033Sunday
ThaipusamFebruary 03, 2034Friday
ThaipusamJanuary 23, 2035Tuesday
ThaipusamFebruary 11, 2036Monday
ThaipusamJanuary 31, 2037Saturday
ThaipusamJanuary 21, 2038Thursday
ThaipusamFebruary 08, 2039Tuesday
ThaipusamJanuary 29, 2040Sunday
ThaipusamJanuary 17, 2041Thursday
ThaipusamFebruary 04, 2042Tuesday
ThaipusamJanuary 25, 2043Sunday
ThaipusamFebruary 12, 2044Friday
ThaipusamFebruary 01, 2045Wednesday
ThaipusamJanuary 22, 2046Monday
ThaipusamFebruary 09, 2047Saturday
ThaipusamJanuary 30, 2048Thursday
ThaipusamJanuary 19, 2049Tuesday

The History of Thaipusam

The history of Thaipusam is rooted in Hindu mythology and Tamil culture, and its origins are deeply tied to the veneration of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory.

Thaipusam celebrates the occasion when Goddess Parvati bestowed the divine spear upon her son, Lord Murugan. This powerful weapon enabled him to vanquish the demon Soorapadman, who was terrorizing the heavens and Earth.

Lord Murugan is a prominent deity in Hinduism, especially among Tamil-speaking Hindus. Murugan is seen as a protector and the embodiment of virtue, courage and youth, making him a central figure in the cultural and spiritual life of the Tamil community.

Thaipusam has its roots in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, where Lord Murugan has been worshiped for centuries.

With the migration of Tamil communities to regions like Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, and the Caribbean during the colonial period, the celebration of Thaipusam spread globally.

The festival gained prominence in places like Batu Caves in Malaysia, which became a focal point for grand Thaipusam processions and rituals.

Today, Thaipusam is celebrated with vibrant cultural displays and acts of devotion. It serves as both a religious observance and a celebration of Tamil identity and heritage.

What Do People Do on This Day?

Devotees often observe fasting, abstain from certain foods, and maintain a state of purity leading up to Thaipusam.

Many carry kavadis (a physical burden symbolizing penance) as an act of devotion. The kavadi can range from simple wooden frames decorated with flowers to elaborate structures balanced on shoulders.

Some devotees perform extreme acts of penance by piercing their skin, tongue or cheeks with spears or hooks. These acts are done in a state of trance and symbolize the devotees' surrender to Lord Murugan, enduring pain to purify their souls and express gratitude.

Devotees carry pots of milk as an offering to Lord Murugan. The milk is poured over his idol or statue during rituals. This act is believed to bring blessings and spiritual purity.

Devotees often walk long distances barefoot to reach temples dedicated to Lord Murugan.

Devotees bathe in rivers or other water bodies as a form of purification before proceeding to temples or processions.

Thaipusam is also a time for Tamil communities to gather, celebrate their cultural identity, and support one another in their spiritual practices.

The Tamil Calendar

The Tamil calendar is a traditional lunisolar calendar used by the Tamil-speaking people of Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and the global Tamil diaspora. The Tamil calendar is lunisolar, meaning it incorporates both the phases of the moon and the solar year.

A Tamil year typically has 12 months, with each month roughly aligning with the sun's transit through a zodiac sign.

1. Chithirai: April – May in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Aries (Mesha). The first month of the Tamil New Year.
2. Vaikasi: May – June in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Taurus (Rishabha). Lord Murugan's birthday is in this month.
3. Aani: June – July in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Gemini (Mithuna).
4. Aadi: July – August in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Cancer (Karka). It is the month focusing on water and fertility.
5. Vaikasi: August – September in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Leo (Simha). Lord Murugan's birthday is this month.
6. Purattasi: September – October in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Virgo (Kanya). This is the month dedicated to Vishnu.
7. Aippasi: October – November in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Libra (Tula). This is the month that it rains for agriculture.
8. Karthigai: November – December in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Scorpio (Vrishchika).
9. Margazhi: December – January in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Sagittarius (Dhanus).
10. Thai: January – February in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Capricorn (Makara). The month is for the harvest festival.
11. Maasi: February – March in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Aquarius (Kumbha).
12. Panguni: March – April in the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac sign is Pisces (Meena).

Details

Date:
February 11
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