Thaipusam is a public holiday in several states in Malaysia such as Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya and Selangor. It is observed on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai, which is January or February in the Gregorian calendar.
The word Thaipusam is a combination of two words: Thai and Pusam. Thai is the month name and Pusam is the name of a star, which is at its highest point during the festival.
Thaipusam is a time to ask Lord Murugan for forgiveness, good health, and peace, and it commemorates the occasion when Parvati (the god of fertility) gave Murugan (the god of war, son of Lord Shiva) a Vel spear to vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman and his brothers.
Many participants during the festival engage in various acts of devotion such as piercing the skin, tongue, or cheeks and believe such acts will help clean their sins.
The temple at Batu Caves is a pilgrimage site for Hindus, and the devotees need to climb 272 steep steps to the temple inside the cave.
The following is the list of Thaipusam from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Thaipusam | Jan 18, 2022 | Tuesday |
| Thaipusam | Feb 04, 2023 | Saturday |
| Thaipusam | Jan 25, 2024 | Thursday |
| Thaipusam | Feb 11, 2025 | Tuesday |
| Thaipusam | Feb 01, 2026 | Sunday |
Please check more public holidays in the state of Johor, Malaysia: