Thaipusam festival in India
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival that falls on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai. It is celebrated mainly by the Tamil community in India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. The festival commemorates the occasion when the Hindu god Murugan defeated the demon Soorapadman. Thaipusam will be celebrated on February 5th, 2023 in India. Legends say that the Hindu calendar’s Thai month is especially propitious. The festival is marked by devotees carrying Kavadis (decorated wooden or metal frames) as they walk barefoot from temples to shrines. The Kavadis are often adorned with flowers and fruits, and some devotees pierce their bodies with needles as a form of penance. At the end of the festival, devotees offer their Kavadis to Murugan at the shrine.
Thaipusam 2023 in Palani
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai. The festival is also known as Thai Poosam or Thai Pushpam. Thaipusam is celebrated in honor of Lord Murugan, the son of Shiva and Parvati. Lord Murugan is also known as Kartikeya and Subramanya. He is the patron deity of the Tamil people. Thaipusam is observed as a thanksgiving day for the blessings received from Lord Murugan.
The word “Thaipusam” is derived from the Tamil words “Thai” meaning “ten” and “Poosam” meaning “full moon day”. The festival commemorates the occasion when Goddess Parvati gave Lord Murugan a spear so that he could vanquish the demon Soorapadman. The main event of Thaipusam is a procession that starts at dawn from the temple and culminates at a shrine located at the top of a hill. devotees carry Kavadis, which are decorated structures made of wood and metal, as an offering to Lord Murugan. The Kavadis are often quite heavy and some devotees even pierce their bodies with them as a form of penance.
Significance of Thaipusam in Tamil Nadu
This renowned festival, held at Palani, spans 10 days and is marked by a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Perianayaki Amman temple. On the 6th day, Lord Murugan is seen in procession with Valli and Deyvaanai atop the Silver Car. Additionally, thousands of devotees unite in the ‘Thai Ther’ Rathorchavam on the 7th day of the festival at the Adivaram. As a sign of devotion, offerings such as flowers, sugar, water, tender coconuts, milk, and holy water are presented to Lord Murugan. On the 7th day, Lord Dhandayuthapani can be seen riding his ‘Thanga Ther’ Golden Chariot on the hills. Thai Poosam is considered to be the most significant festival in Palani, drawing an estimated 3-5 lakh visitors to the temple.
Thaipusam Festival Kerala
The Thaipusam festival is celebrated in Kerala with great pomp and show. It is a very important festival for the people of Kerala and is celebrated with great devotion. The festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Murugan and is observed on the full moon day in the month of Thai. On this day, devotees offer prayers and carry Kavadis (burdens) as a sign of their devotion to Lord Murugan. They also take a holy dip in the river Ganga and offer fruits and flowers to the deity. The Thaipusam festival is a very colorful and vibrant festival and is a must-see for all tourists visiting Kerala.
Koorkenchery Pooyam 2023 Dates
The Koorkenchery Pooyam is a festival that is celebrated in Kerala on the day of Thaipusam. This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Murugan, who is the son of Shiva and Parvati. The festival is celebrated by Hindus all over the world, but it is especially significant in South India. The festival usually falls on the full moon day in the month of Thai (January-February), but the exact date varies from year to year. In 2023, the festival will be celebrated on February 12th.
On this day, devotees will gather at the Koorkenchery temple to offer prayers and take part in various rituals. Many of them will also undertake a pilgrimage to the Palani Hills, where Murugan is believed to reside. During the festival, it is common for devotees to pierce their bodies with needles or hooks as a form of self-mortification. This is done as a way of showing their devotion to Murugan and seeking his blessings. The Koorkenchery Pooyam is an important festival for Hindus and is a great opportunity to witness some of the unique traditions and customs of this religion.
Tamil Calendar Thaipusam 2023
- 5th February 2023 (Sunday) is a public holiday on account of Thaipusam in Tamil Nadu.
| 5.2.2023 Tamil Calendar | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
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