 Thaipusam is a colourful celebration of the
birthday of Lord Subramaniam, one of the paramount Hindu deities and son of
Siva. Celebrated by Hindu Indians of all classes, it is said that the
celebration here in Penang today is more intense than the one in native South
India.
Thaipusam is a day of consecration to the Hindu deity, Lord Murugan, sometimes
also called Lord Subramaniam. The Hindus believe that by celebrating Thaipusam,
they are cleansed of all sins and that their misdeeds can be redeemed in many
ways during the festival. Thus before the actual day, Hindus must prepare
themselves by observing a strictly regimented schedule of fasting, dieting and
maintaining self-discipline ¨C to purify themselves so that they may go into a
trance-like state and transcend pain when carrying out the rituals on the day
itself.
A feature of the festival is the carrying of a kavadi, a semi-circular structure
that is decorated with colored papers, tinsels, fresh flowers, and fruits as a
form of penance. During that day, roads are transformed into a fairyland of
lights. Devotees and penitents carry Kavadis. Some have entered a trance, and
pierced their cheeks, tongues, or foreheads. Apart from carrying kavadis, other
forms of devotion are practiced, such as honey or milk offerings. Every year,
thousands of devotees and tourists show up for the procession of the kavadi.
These kavadi bearers are first put into a trance before sharp skewers are thrust
into their tongues through the cheeks. Then hooks and spears are pierced on
parts their bodies. Sometimes strings are attached to the kavadi from the hooks.
Offerings of fruit, milk and jaggery (syrup) are placed on each kavadi and the
kavadi goes on the shoulder or head of the kavadi bearer.
Then kavadi bearers dance around in a frenzied trance like state. During this
procession, the devotees chant vel -vel or Arohara. Aro is the shortened version
of the word arogam which means blissful, and Hara is another name for Lord Siva
(father to Lord Subramaniam). So Arohara means blissful Siva. Some tourists who
are unprepared may be shocked to see the hooks and spears that are pierced on
theses bearers. Devotees say it is not the size of the kavadi that matters.
Rather, it is the act itself and being able to carry the kavadi and offer it to
Lord Subramaniam is what counts.
The fesitivities begin on the very eve of the auspicious day. The Silver Chariot
carries the image of Lord Muruga from the Chettiar Temple in Penang Street to
the Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple at Waterfall Road. This procession starts at
dawn and ends at sundown. During the process the crowds smash coconuts and make
offerings of incense, fruits, flowers, and money as the chariot stops at every
Hindu shrine along the way, followed by a stream of kavadi bearers.
Throughout the morning many kavadi-bearers start out at the Sivan temple at Dato
Keramat Road. This is a good place to watch participants undergoing an ablution
of saffron water, being put into the trance, and body piercing. The devotees,
their supporters, and general festival attendants proceed down Jalan Utama to
the Waterfall Temple, where offerings are made to Lord Subramaniam and the body
spears are removed. In the morning, the chettiars perform their kavadi dances
outside the Waterfall Temple. In a night procession starting from sundown and
ending at sunrise the next day, the Silver Chariot returns from Waterfall Road
to Penang Street. |
