Thaipusam Festival at Thirukutralam Temple or Papanasanathar Temple: Celebrating Divine Grace The Thaipusam festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Thai (January–February), holds immense spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga. It is a vibrant and sacred occasion marked by devotion, penance, and joyous celebrations across Tamil Nadu and other parts of the world. Among the many temples where Thaipusam is observed with grandeur, the Thirukutralam Temple holds a special place due to its unique connection with Lord Shiva as Nataraja and his divine grace granted to sages Patanjali and Vyakrapatha. Thirukutralam Temple Thaipusam festival 2026 date is February 1. Historical and Mythological Significance Thaipusam commemorates the occasion when Lord Nataraja (a form of Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer) granted darshan (divine vision) to sages Patanjali and Vyakrapatha at the Thirukutralam Temple. According to legend, the sages were ardent devotees of Lord Shiva ...

Uthukuli Kaithamalai Murugan Temple, also known as Vetri Velayudhaswamy Temple, is perched atop a picturesque hillock near Uthukuli, close to Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu. This revered temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga, and it holds significant religious importance for devotees. Kaithamalai Murugan Temple Thaipusam festival 2026 date is February 1. The famous wooden chariot procession is on February 4, 2026. Thaipusam Festival The annual Thaipusam festival at Kaithamalai Murugan Temple is a grand event that draws thousands of Murugan devotees from various parts of the region. The festival is marked by a series of vibrant and devotional activities. Devotees participate in regular pujas and various rituals, including the carrying of milk pots (paal kudam) and kavadi, which are offerings to Lord Muruga. Unique Wooden Chariot Procession One of the most unique and anticipated events during the Thaipusam festival is the procession of the wooden temple chariot. On the fourth day after Thai Poo...

Batu Caves is one of the holiest places associated with Hindus in Malaysia . Thaipusam  Batu   Caves  2026 date is February 1. The biggest of the caves here houses a temple dedicated to Lord Muruga or Kartikeya or Subrahmanya, the general of the Devas and the eldest son of Lord Shiva. The most important festival at Batu Caves is the Thaipusam festival in January which attracts nearly a million visitors from Malaysia , India , Singapore and other parts of the world. One of the Sanskrit words for cave is ‘guha’ and one of the names of Lord Muruga is also Guha since he likes to live in caves. As one approach the foot of the cave one can see a towering statue of Lord Muruga holding a ‘Vel.’ There are numerous small shrines at the foot of the hill. One has to climb 272 steps to reach the Lord Muruga shrine in the cave. Batu Caves is around 15 km north of Kuala Lumpur . The cave is dominated by stalactites and stalagmites and water drips...

Thaipoosam is an important festival dedicated to Lord Muruga or Kartikeya. It is observed on Poosam or Pooyam (Pushya) nakshatra in the Tamil month of Tai or Thai (January – February). Thaipusam 2026 date is February 1, Sunday. It is celebrated mainly by the Hindu Tamil and Malayalam speaking community in India (especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh), Malaysia , Singapore , South Africa , Sri Lanka and in many other parts of the world. Lord Subramanya represents virtue, youth and power, and is the destroyer of evil. He is the wish fulfilling deity. Highlights Of Thaipusam Festival Large, colourful processions. Carrying Kavadi Carrying milk pots Piercing body with small lances and hooks Devotees seek blessings, fulfilling vows and offering thanks to Muruga Legend has it that Lord Muruga, son of Lord Shiva, killed Tharakasuran and other demons who were creating mayhem on earth on Pusam star in the month of Thai. Thaipusam Story ...

There are numerous stories associated with Thaipusam. But the most important story is that of Goddess Parvati presenting ‘Vel’ to muruga to eliminate demon Tarakasura. Here are some of the important stories of Thaipusam festival. Vel behind celebrating Thaipusam Sages were fed up with the troubles created by demon Tarakasur and his lieutenants. They complained to Shiva and he instructed Muruga to help them. Shiva gave him eleven weapons and Mother Parvati presented the most powerful ‘Vel.’ Muruga killed all the demons including Tharakasuran on Pusam star in the month of Thai with the Vel. Thaipusam is celebrated to commemorate this victory of good over evil. Kavadi and Thaipusam Another legend about Thaipusam is associated with the Kavadi. It involves Muruga testing the determination of Idumban, the student of Sage Agastya. Curse on Muruga and Thaipusam Another story revolves around Lord Muruga eavesdropping into the conversation between Lord Shiva a...

People piercing their body with hooks, skewers and (vel) small lances during Hindu festivals Thaipusam at Murugan Temples is a common sight. In the beginning people only used to pierce their tongue with a small vel - this was a means to meditate by keeping silent. The vel was used to create a forceful means for Mouna Vratham - remaining silent. In the beginning it was a simple innocent offering done by Muruga Devotees. But today in some instances, Lord Muruga devotees pull heavy chariots with hooks attached to their bodies - this is a very recent trend. This is sort of a thanksgiving for favors received and for fulfillment of desires.  Many devotees take vow that they will do such and such act as offering if their wishes are fulfilled. When wishes are fulfilled devotees perform the ritual to please the God. Murugan is believed widely as a wish fulfilling deity and most devotees get their wishes fulfilled sooner or later. Such practices are not mentioned in Hindu Holy Scri...

Thaipusam, like most Hindu festivals, celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is believed that Goddess Parvati gave the ‘Vel’ (lance) to Lord Muruga on the Thaipusam day to vanquish the Asura (demon) army. Thaipusam is observed on the Pusam star in the Tamil month of ‘Thai’ (January – February).  The main significance of Thaipusam is victory over enemies - the enemies are both external and internal. We need to achieve victory over internal enemies like anger, lust, desire, passion etc. All that hampers our spiritual progress are our enemies. The external enemies that we should fight are those that propagate evil and destroy mother nature. Mother Goddess Shakti gave Muruga the Vel to fight against both internal and external enemies. We can achieve victory over external enemies only when we have conquered our internal enemies and purified ourselves. Lord Muruga, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, is also known as Skanda and Subramaniyan. He defeated Tharakasuran and other dem...

Offering Kavadi to Muruga is of great significance as it brings peace and good luck. The story and reason of taking Kavadi to Murugan is associated with Murugan testing Idumban of his determination and duty towards his Guru. The Kavadi that each devotee carries symbolizes his/her burden like the two hills carried by Idumban. It is believed that the burden in the life of a devotee who carries Kavadi is lessened by Murugan. Taking Kavadi to Murugan temples during Thaipusam is considered highly auspicious. The usual Kavadi is a small wooden structure with an arch covered with a piece of cloth and is held on shoulders. The two sides of the Kavadi are covered with feathers of peacock – the vehicle of Muruga. The sides also contain two bags to carry offerings to Muruga. Some devotees beg at houses to collect the offerings. But today most people fill the bags on their own. The person who takes the Kavadi should observe certain austerities. The austerities start with food. Most K...

Thaipusam is one of the most important festivals dedicated to Lord Muruga - also known as Skanda, Subramaniya and Kartikeya and Shanmukha. Thaipusam is held on Poosam star in the month of Thai (January – February). Here is a look at what to do on Thaipusam day? On the Thaipusam day, large number of devotees head towards Murugan temples in procession carrying Kavadi.  Some devotees observe a fast on the day and they only eat the Prasadam from the temple. The drumming and chanting of vel vel sakthi vel electrifies the procession and some start to dance.  Some devotees pierce their tongue and cheek with ‘vel’ (small lances.) Some insert hooks in their body and some use these hooks to pull heavy objects. On the day, devotees go to any length to display their devotion to Murugan. All these are performed for desire fulfillment or for desire fulfilled after offering prayers to Murugan The more subdued devotees offer fruits and yellow or orange colored flowers to ...

There are numerous doubts regarding Thaipusam rituals and festival. On such doubt is - can I sell a property on Thaipusam day? All kinds of selling and buying are not allowed in Thaipusam day. Therefore property should not be sold or brought on the day. The day is associated with spiritual and religious activities. The day should be spent visiting Murugan temples. It is highly meritorious to climb a Murugan hill shrine on the day. Buying new items, vehicles like car, auto, truck or bike or other two wheelers should not be done on the day especially if you are participating in the rituals associated with Thaipusam.

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival observed more in Muruga Temples and less at homes. After doing the usual pujas and prayers, people visit Temples dedicated to Murugan on Thaipusam to make offerings which mainly includes offering of milk and carrying of Kavadi. Here is a brief idea on how to observe Thaipusam. Offer milk - carry palkudam or milk container to Murugan temple Offer yellow or orange color flowers. Carry Kavadi to the temple. Piercing of body parts as an offering with vel. Some people carry pots of milk on their head. This offering is believed to please Muruga. The highlight of the festival today is the piercing of different body parts with small vels (lances) as a sort of thanksgiving or as an offering to get their wishes fulfilled. On the Thaipusam day, large number of devotees head towards Murugan temples in procession carrying Kavadi. The drumming and chanting of vel vel shakti vel electrifies the procession and some start to dance. Some devotees p...

The Thaipusam festival at the Batu Caves in Malaysia attracts more than a million people each year. The greatest offering to Lord Muruga is Kavadi. And don’t be surprised if you find foreigners taking Kavadi here. Australian Carl Vedivella Belle has been taking Kavadi for more than a decade. This year he will be joined by German Rainer Krieg, who took his first Kavadi in the 70s. Carl Vedivella Belle has a doctorate in Hindu religion and the topic is ‘ Thaipusam in Malaysia : A Hindu Festival Misunderstood?’ Carl Vedivella Belle is the vice-president of the Hindu Society of South Australia. He was also appointed Hindu Chaplain at Flinders University in Adelaide . So how was their experience while taking Kavadi? New Straits Times Malaysia reports Belle has carried the kavadi 15 times since 1982 and described the experience as "very spiritually transforming". For Krieg the experience "was out of this world". "When you’re in a...

Kumbabishikam of the Aru Paddi Murugan Temple at Canberra , Australia , was performed on the Thaipusam day. Thiruthani Murugan with his consorts are the main deity of this temple. In addition, there are shrines of Thiruchendur, Swami Malai, Palai, Thiruparunkunram, Palamuthirsolai Murugans; and shrines for Ganesh, Shivalingam, Amman , Dhurga, Luxmi, Saraswathy,Narayan with Poodevi and Seedevi, Navagraghas and Bhiravar. The temple also has a vasatha mandapam. The Kumbabhishekam was conducted by the temple priest Suresh Kurukkal assisted by Ravi Kurukkal of Sydney Murugan Temple. Canberra Aru Paddai Murugan Temple is located in Torrens suburb of Canberra . The text and photo was sent by Dr R Sri Ravindrarajah (Aum Muruga Society)