Thaipusam 2023 Date, Time and Significance

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival that occurs during the month of Thai during the full moon. It is mostly observed by the Tamil population in India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. This celebration recalls the moment when the Hindu god Murugan slew the evil Soorapadman. In India, Thaipusam will be celebrated on February 5, 2023. According to legend, the Thai month of the Hindu calendar is exceptionally auspicious. Devotees carrying Kavadis (decorated wooden or metal frames) as they walk barefoot from temples to shrines mark the occasion. As a form of penance, some devotees pierce their bodies with needles and decorate Kavadis with flowers and fruit. At the conclusion of the celebration, devotees present Murugan with their Kavadis at the shrine.

Thaipusam is a Hindu holiday mostly observed by the Tamil people on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai. The event is also referred to as Thai Poosam and Thai Pushpam. Thaipusam is celebrated in honor of the son of Shiva and Parvati, Lord Murugan. Lord Murugan is also known as Kartikeya and Subramanya. He is the presiding god of the Tamils. Thaipusam is celebrated as a day of gratitude for the benefits bestowed by Lord Murugan.

The term “Thaipusam” is derived from the Tamil words “Thai” (ten) and “Poosam” (full moon day). The festival celebrates the event when Goddess Parvati bestowed a spear on Lord Murugan in order for him to defeat the demon Soorapadman. The major event of Thaipusam is a parade that begins at dawn at the temple and ends at a shrine on top of a hill. As a sacrifice to Lord Murugan, worshippers bring Kavadis, which are decorative structures constructed of wood and metal. The Kavadis are often fairly heavy, and some devotees even use them to pierce their bodies as a form of penance.

This celebrated event in Palani lasts for ten days and is highlighted by a flag-raising ceremony at the temple of Perianayaki Amman. Lord Murugan is seen in the procession with Valli and Deyvaanai on the Silver Car on the sixth day. In addition, thousands of devotees participate in the ‘Thai Ther’ Rathorchavam at the Adivaram on the seventh day of the festival. As an act of devotion, Lord Murugan is served with flowers, sugar, water, tender coconuts, milk, and holy water. Lord Dhandayuthapani can be seen riding his ‘Thanga Ther’ Golden Chariot on the hills on the seventh day. Thai Poosam is regarded as Palani’s most important event, with an estimated 500,000-1,000,000 visitors to the temple.

The Thaipusam holiday is celebrated with considerable pomp and circumstance in Kerala. It is a highly important holiday observed with tremendous devotion by the people of Kerala. The event is held in honor of Lord Murugan on the full moon day of the Thai calendar month. As a symbol of devotion to Lord Murugan, worshippers offer prayers and carry Kavadis (burdens) on this day. In addition, they take a sacred bath in the river Ganga and present the deity with fruits and flowers. The Thaipusam festival is a very bright and exciting celebration that all travelers to Kerala must witness.

On the day that is designated as Thaipusam, the state of Kerala holds a festival known as the Koorkenchery Pooyam. Lord Murugan, who is the offspring of Shiva and Parvati, is the focus of the festivities that make up this festival. The event is observed by adherents of the Hindu religion all throughout the world, but South Indians place an especially strong emphasis on it. Although the celebration is held on the day of the full moon during the month of Thai (which falls sometime between January and February), the specific date varies from year to year. The festival is scheduled to take place on February 12 of the year 2023.

On this particular day, worshippers would congregate at the Koorkenchery temple in order to participate in a variety of ceremonies and offer prayers. Additionally, a good number of them will go on a pilgrimage to the Palani Hills, which is where it is claimed that Murugan resides. As a kind of self-mortification, it is usual for devotees to pierce their bodies with needles or hooks during the festival. This is done in honor of the gods. This practice is carried out with the intention of demonstrating their devotion to Murugan and gaining his blessings. The Koorkenchery Pooyam is a significant event for Hindus and provides an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to a number of the one-of-a-kind rituals and practices that are associated with this faith.

05.02.2023 (Sunday) is a public holiday for Thaipusam in Tamil Nadu.