THAIPUSAM GUIDELINES

MALAYSIA HINDU SANGAM

No.67, Jalan PJS 1/48
Taman Petaling Utama 7
46150 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel:(+603) 7784 4668/7784 4244
Fax: (+603) 7784 7304
Email: admin@hindusangam.org.my
www.malaysiahindusangam.org
 THAIPUSAM GUIDELINES

Thaipusam is a festival celebrated by the Tamil Hindu community on the full

moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February) when the star Pusam is
at its highest point.

Thaipusam is celebrated in the temples of Murugan (also called

Subrahmanya, Saravana, Shanmukha, Arumugam, Dandapani, Kanda, and
Vadivelan).

Thaipusam festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati Devi

gave Murugan a Vel (spear) so he could vanquish the evil demon Surapadman. As believed by
some, Thaipusam is not Murugan's birthday. Vaikhasi Vishakam, which falls in the Vaikhasi month
(May/June), is Murugan's birthday.

The History
Sage Agastya wanted to take two hills -- Sivagiri and Saktigiri - to his abode in the South and
commissioned his asuran disciple Idumban to carry them. Idumban was one of the very few asuran
survivors of the surāsuran war between Murugan's forces and those of Surapadman. After surviving
the war he had repented and became a devotee of Lord Murugan.

At this stage, Subrahmanya or Muruga had just been outwitted by His brother Ganesa in a contest for
going around the world and He was still smarting over the matter. In anger, He vowed to leave His
home and family and came down to Tiru Avinankudi at the Adivāram (meaning 'foot of the Sivagiri
Hill'). Later He withdrew to the Palani hill and settled there as a recluse in peace and solitude.

Idumban bore the hills slung across his shoulders in the form of a kavadi, one on each side. When he
reached Palani and felt fatigued, he placed the kavadi down to take rest.

When Idumban resumed his journey, he found that he could not lift the hill. Lord Murugan who
wanted to test the determination and devotion of Idumban to his guru, had made it impossible for
Idumban to carry it.

Upon the hilltop the great asuran spotted a little boy wearing only
kaupeenam (loin cloth) and demanded that he vacate at once so
Idumban could proceed with his task. The boy, who was yet in a fighting
mood, refused. In the fierce battle which ensued, Idumban was slain
but was later restored to life.

Idumban belatedly recognised the boy as none other than his Ishtha
Devata Murugan and prayed to Him that:
 Whosoever carried on his shoulders the kavadi, signifying the two hills
and visited the Palani temple on a vow should be blessed; and
 He should be given the priviledge of standing sentinel at the
entrance to the hill.

Since then, pilgrims to Palani bring their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi. The custom has
spread from Palani to all Murugan temples.

The Significance of Carrying the Kavadi

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 Preparation
The preparations start 48 days (one mandala) before the Thaipusam festival. The devotees purge
themselves of all mental and physical impurities by observing austerities such as:
 Control of the senses
 Complete fasting or eating only one simple
vegetarian meal or fruits and milk a day.
 Refraining from smoking cigarettes, alcohol or
any other intoxicants
 Practice absolute continence
 Bathing in cold water
 Men usually do not shave or cut their hair during
this period
 Sleeping on the floor
 Constant or at least morning and evening
poojas, prayers, japa, chanting mantras, singing
hymns, reading of Sastras and spiritual books
and remembrance of Lord Murugan.

On the Thaipusam Eve

Devotees after completing the 48 days vows, 24 hours before the Thaipusam, must maintain a
complete fast. Some may also observe vow of silence. After a purificatory bath, dressed in proper
attire, they will walk to the Murugan temple carrying their offerings. As many devotees walk barefoot,
sometimes the procession will be long and slow.

Those who carry a Kavadi or chariot will be accompanied by

other devotees, playing the Tavil (Indian drum) and
nadaswaram (Indian trumpets). Singing of Tirupugal, Kandar
Anubhuti, Kavadi Sindhu and other Murugan devotional songs
will create a spiritual atmosphere. Simple chanting of ‘Vel Vel
Muruga’ or ‘Kandanukku Arogara’ will create a spiritual mood.

At the Temple
Male devotees can shave their head and beard as an offering
(Kanikai) to Lord Murugan, and take a ritual bath before
proceeding to the temple.

Male devotees can do Ashthanga Namaskaram and Angapradakshina (rolling over the floor).

Female devotees are not required by the Sastras to shave their head. Therefore, female devotees
can restrain from this practice.

Female devotees can perform Panchanga

Namaskaram. The Sastras forbid women to
perform Ashthanga Namaskaram and
Angapradakshina.

Kavadi
Kavadi derives from the words ‘kaavu’ and ‘tadi’
which simply means a pole to carry things. In
olden days, people used to carry things by on
their shoulder using a pole of stick, bamboo or
sugar cane.

The Kavadi has various shapes and sizes. The simplest Kavadi has a wooden stick with two baskets or
pots at each end, slung across the shoulder. The bigger and most costly Kavadis has ornate chariots
structure, decorated with flowers, peacock feathers, and string of bells.
Types of Kavadi
Theertha/ Panneer Kavadi
Devotee will carry on their shoulder or head a pot of sanctified
water or rose water to conduct abhishekam (holy bath) to Lord
Murugan.

Paal Kavadi
Pots filled with milk carried over the shoulder for the Abhisegam. The

Kavadi also is decorated with peacock feathers and picture of

Lord Murugan.

Alangara Kavadi
Kavadi decorated
with peacock, a
picture of Lord
Murugan, and other
religious symbols.

Pushpa Kavadi

Pushpa Kavadi is decorated with various flowers and carried over the
shoulder.

Often, those who carry

the Kavadi will pierce
their tongue and cheek
with a small spear. The
permitted length of the
spear is 3 feet.

Karumbu
Toddi

As a token of gratitude for their prayer for a child, both parents may carry their child in a bundle held
by a pole of sugar cane. They can also ceremonial tonsure the child’s head and covet it with sandal
paste.
Offerings
More than the Kavadi, the things brought for offering are important. Items which are traditionally
used in Abhishekam should be brought for offering. Care must be taken
to ensure that the items for Abhishekam are suitable for Lord Murugan.
Some of the easily procurable Abhisheka items are:

 Theertam (holy water), panneer (rose water), Panchagavyam (milk,

curd or yogurt, honey, ghee, and cow’s urine), Abhisheka koottu,
Panchamritam (mixture of five ingredients i.e. fruit, jaggery, ghee,
honey and sugar candy), lime juice, sugar cane juice, tender
coconut water, gingerly oil, flowers, mango, banana, oranges,
pomegranate, brown sugar, Vibhuti, turmeric powder, kumkum, and
sandal paste, saffron.

Chariot Procession or Ratha Utsav

 Procession must be conducted as per the route and time set by the Temple.
 The chariot procession must be conducted along the main roads. Chariots should not go into
housing areas or to specific houses.

Permitted Paraphernalia and Symbols

Thaipusam is observed for Lord Murugan. Therefore, the paraphernalia and symbols to be used must
be related to Lord Murugan, such as:
 Photos and idols of Murugan
 Symbol of Vel or lance
 Peacock feathers
 Symbols of Aum and other Mantras
 Rudraksha Mala
 Flower Garland

The kavadis displaying Shaivite symbols such as Sivalinga, Vel and images of Lord Murugan.
Attire and Appearance
All devotees and visitors must wear proper decent dress. Yellow and orange are the preferable
colours for Lord Murugan.

T-shirt displaying Saravana Bhava symbol can be used.

Kavadi bearers should not dress up like Muneeswaran, Madurai Veeran, Kali, Katteri or other
demigods.

For male devotees, it is compulsory to wear the dhoti. Male devotees, who are bearing the Kavadi,
should not wear shirt. They can cover their chest with rudraksha mala. Men also may shave their
head and beard before proceeding to the Temple.

Women who bear the Kavadi must wear saree or Punjabi dress in yellow or orange colour. Women
must tie their hair and should not let loose their long hair (or even relatively short hair) while praying at
the temple. Menstruating ladies should not bear any Kavadi.

Male devotees can wear the

Rudraksha Mala to cover
their bare body.

Devotees can wear the Vibhuti (white holy ash), sandal paste and kumkum as per the Shaivite
tradition.

After completing all the rituals at the temple, the Ratha bearing Lord Muruga will start out from the
temple. Once the Ratha’s procession is completed, the devotees can remove the Kaapu.

Proper dress code for other devotees and visitors

Prohibited Practices
"Udambinai Munnam Izhukkendru Irundhaen
Udambinukku Ullae Uru Porul Kandaen
Udambullae Uththaman Koyil Kondan Endru
Udambinai Yaanirundhu Ombukindraenae"
Meaning, "I first thought the body is a blemish. Then I realised that the Supreme Being exists in my
body. In my body, the Supreme Being resides in a temple within. And hence I worship and nurture my
physical body".
(Thirumanthiram verses 725)

 Mortification of flesh is never a part of Vedic ritual or worship of Lord

Murugan. The following practices are not a part of Thaipusam:

 Body piercing to pull the kavadi or chariot.

 Kavadi of durian, chillies, bottles, gory objects, knife, parang, and other weapons, chariots and
flying kavadi.
 Carrying fire pots and walking on fire bed
 Drinking intoxicants and smoking cigar or cigarettes.

Paraphernalia and Symbols Which Are Not Permitted:

 Symbols of other deities such as Kali, Durga, Siva, Vishnu, Ganesha and all
demigods.
 Symbols of a gang or an organization, numbers, swastika, or other
religions or faiths.
 Sword, trident, pole, whip, parang and any other kind of weapons.
 Cigar, cigarattes, vapes, liquor or any other intoxicants.
 Black or dark colours are considered inauspicious are not acceptable in
Murugan worship.
 T-shirts of improper/indecent images/texts.
 Red kumkum smeared over the body, face or tongue

Prohibited symbols
 Playing musical instruments such as udukai (small drum held in hand), modern drum and guitars
and signing of cinema/pop/rap songs are not allowed.
 Only devotional songs should be played in the Thanneer Pandal. Gathering, singing or dancing in
front of a thanneer pandal is prohibited.
 All secular activities such as pop/rap music and dance, gambling, gang fight and fun fair are not
allowed within the temple premises and surrounding areas.
 Sales and consumption of all kinds of alcohol, drug, cigarettes, and non-vegetarian food are
prohibited in the temple premises and surrounding areas.
 The custom of breaking the coconuts during the chariot procession is not a part of Murugan
worship.
 Smelly fruits like durian and jack fruit, meat, chicken, blood and cooked food are not permitted in
the Temple.
 Wearing sexy saree blouse, attire, shorts and miniskirts.

NOTE:
All devotees and visitors are required to respect Thaipusam as a religious festival. Frivolity, public
display of affection, gangsterism, quarelling, fighting, touting, gambling, abuse of substance, and
other acts of nuisance and crime are prohibited in the Temple and surrounding areas.

Those violating the stipulations in this guideline can be stopped from entering the temple premises
and proper action shall be taken.