Do You Know? Thaipusam

Thaipusam is a festival celebrated by people of Hindu religion in the world to honor the Hindu god, Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Subramaniam. Thaipusam is celebrated in the month of 'Thai' the tenth month in the Tamil calendar. On the day of Thaipusam, a full moon through the bright stars, Matte in Cancer.

For adherents of the religion of Hinduism, Thaipusam is a day of repentance on the sins of the past. Thaipusam festival, celebrated by followers of Hindu religion, the statue of Lord Subramaniam, the youngest son of Lord Shiva, is placed on a silver chariot and paraded to the music. Lord Shiva is the most powerful god of thousands of gods in the Hindu religion.

Before the day of Thaipusam, the Hindu religious devotees will cleanse their souls by fasting during the month. They often visit the shrine, only to eat servings of vegetables a day, and stay away from intimate relationships. Twenty-four hours before bringing kavadi, Hindus fast completely.

The main feature of Thaipusam, the event brings kavadi, metal or wooden frame decorated with colored paper colors, flowers and fruit, fresh as a vow to pay or turn to the Lord Subramaniam. Kavadi is a semi-circular steel frame with girders to be placed on the shoulders and decorated with flowers, and peacock feathers.

Some other Hindus wearing spiked sandals, or wearing a metal rod to penetrate the cheeks, tongue, and their bodies. However they are in bersawai "dazzled" and does not seem to feel pain. In Malaysia, Thaipusam is celebrated every year at the Batu Caves where kavadi carriers will climb 272 stairs to the entrance and placed before the statue of the god.

At the beginning of the Hindu Thaipusam at Batu Caves will gather en masse. The march began at the dawn brings kavadi. Kavadi bearer will be in bersawai "dazzled" and pierced cheeks, tongue, eyebrow, body, and the back and climb the stairs to get to the entrance to Batu Caves to cleanse themselves. In addition to torture yourself to get the blessing of the deity Lord Murugan, honey, milk, and oil will also be offered to the gods.