Thaipusam 2024: Date, history, shubh muhurat, significance and everything you need to know about the festival

Thaipusam is the Hindu Tamil festival that celebrates the victory of the god Murugan over the demon Surapadman. From date to history, check all details inside.

Thaipusam, also known as Thaipoosam, is a Hindu Tamil festival that is observed on the first full moon day of the Thai month, which falls on the Pusam star. The celebration honours the victory of the Hindu god Murugan—armed with a vel, a heavenly spear bestowed by Parvati—over the demon Surapadman. Many attendees pierce their skin, tongues, or cheeks as part of the festival's rituals, which involve various acts of devotion and mastery over their senses. Some people cross blazing coals. Through such deeds, devotees want to atone for their sins and reinforce their Hindu faith.

Giant Kavadi offering cages are carried by Hindu devotees in a procession during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves, outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.(AP)

Celebrations are held by mostly Tamil communities in India and abroad, with particularly large gatherings in Malaysia and Singapore. Although Thaipusam is only observed on one day each year, devotees begin fasting and purification weeks in advance, and the celebrations can last for many days. Scroll down to learn more about this significant occasion.

Thaipusam 2024: Date and shubh muhurat

The auspicious festival of Thaipusam will be celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm this year on Thursday, January 25. According to Drik Panchang, the shubh muhurat and auspicious timings for the occasion are as follows:

Poosam Nakshathram Begins - 08:16 AM on January 25, 2024

Poosam Nakshathram Ends - 10:28 AM on January 26, 2024

History of Thaipusam

According to the Kanda Puranam, the asuras Surapadman, Tarakasuran, and Singamukhan sought the blessings of Lord Shiva through intense austerities. Shiva granted them boons that bestowed upon them the power to conquer the three worlds and near immortality. Subsequently, they oppressed celestial beings, including the devas, leading to tyrannical rule in their respective realms. Upon the plea of the devas, Shiva manifested five additional heads, and divine sparks emerged from each. Initially carried by the wind god Vayu, the sparks were later handed over to the fire god Agni due to their unbearable heat. Agni deposited the sparks in the Ganga River, causing it to evaporate. Ganga then carried the sparks to Saravana Lake, where they developed into a baby boy.

Raised by handmaidens called the Kriththikas, the six boys were later fused into one by Parvati, giving rise to the six-headed Murugan. Parvati bestowed upon him a divine spear known as the vel. Accompanied by Virabahu as his commander-in-chief and eight others, Murugan waged war against the asuras. During the battle, Murugan split Surapadman into two with his vel, and the two halves transformed into a mango tree, which later became a peacock and a rooster. Murugan adopted the peacock as his mount and the rooster as his flag. Murugan, associated with yogic discipline and austerities in Hinduism, is believed by his followers to have the power to grant spiritual liberation (mukti) to those who venerate him.

Significance of Thaipusam

The festival involves severe penance and sacrifice to express devotion and seek blessings, giving it great spiritual and cultural significance. Skewer piercings, wearing elaborate 'kavadis' and pilgrimages to Murugan temples are the main features of Thaipusam. This strenuous physical trek represents the devotee's perseverance, faith and willingness to face adversity to achieve spiritual fulfilment. Thaipusam is a colourful display of cultural identity, religious passion and community unity among Hindu communities. It is also a powerful reminder of the victory of virtue over evil.