Feb 2012 - Thaipusam Festival

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Shortest month of the year? Always. Busy? You betcha. So busy that there will be two blog posts to cover the short month of February. (I know, I know, the excitement is almost too much.) First up, let me tell you about Thaipusam which was early in the month of February.

This is an annual Hindu festival observed by devout Tamil communities. I believe this festival has been banned in a number of countries, but is still allowed here in Singapore. In the weeks and days leading up to this lunar calendar event devotees seeking divine help fast and ritually prepare themselves  to carry burdens (kadavis) which may involve great loads carried by spikes and hooks in the skin.

Here in Singapore the devotees must walk with their kadavi from one Hindu temple to another. The route takes them down Serangoon Road, through the middle of Little India.  I had to pop down and have a look. A few of my photographically talented and strong stomached friends went to the temples in the morning where devotees prepared themselves with spikes and hooks. Frankly, the process is not something I really wanted to see but I did want to see them on their march.

Thaipusam devotee 'hooked up' Feb 2012
I wasn't as shocked as I expected to be - I've never seen this on the streets of any other 'civilised' country. Yet, in culturally tolerant Singapore, it didn't seem out of place. However, it's not something for the squeamish.

I travelled by MRT to Farrer Park station and came up on Serangoon Road. The police had partitioned off a traffic lane for devotees to walk along. Weighed down as they were, they travelled slowly, surrounded by friends and family who sang songs and kept them company on their walk. Every so often they would stop at 'stations' to perform small rituals. I saw water thrown on their bare feet (which made me consider how hot and uncomfortable the road surface must be) and flowers thrown by a priest over their altar-like kadavis.

Pots of milk (offerings) hang off his arms
It makes you consider the whole idea of sacrifice in religion and the part it plays in a devotee or disciple who puts God or others before themselves. I don't believe in self-harm (although apparently this isn't supposed to hurt!), but as a Christian, I understand the concept of sacrifice, and it was kind of humbling to see the devotion of these people seeking divine help.


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