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Thaipusam is the most important festival of the Hindus in Malaysia. 'Thai' means the tenth month, which falls between mid January and mid February and 'Pmalaysiam' is the Cancer zodiac star, which is brightest during this period and thus the name of the festival. On Thaipusam, worship of Lord Subramanium, the youngest son of Lord Shiva and Parvati is done. The grand procession of Lord Subramanium is carried out on a silver chariot and with the beats of the instrumental music on Thaipusam. The devotees observe a month long fast to spiritually cleanse themselves of all the sins prior to Thaipusam.
During this period, they make frequent prayers, consume vegetarian meal at dusk and abstain from having physical relations. One day before the carrying of the kavadis, an absolute fast is observed by the devotees. The kavadis are made of steel frames in semi-circular shape with bars for the support on the shoulders. They are beautifully ornamented with flowers and peacock feathers. |
