Thaipusam

Thaipusam (Tamil: தைப்பூசம்) is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). It is also referred to as Thaipooyam or Thaippooyam in the Malayalam language.

Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan (also Subramaniam), the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (spear) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam

Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God of War.[1] It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage. The Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God Murugan.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam http://www.journeymalaysia.com/MCUL_thaipusam.htm

Generally people take a vow to offer a kavadi to the Lord for purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity. For instance, if the devotee's son is laid up with a fatal disease, he would pray to Shanmuga to grant the boy a lease of life in return for which the devotee would take a vow to dedicate a kavadi to Him. Though this might on the face of it appear mercenary, a moment's reflection will reveal that it contains in it the seed of love for God. The worldly object is achieved: and the devotee offers the kavadi. After the ceremony is over, he gets so much intoxicated with love of God that his inner spiritual chamber is opened. This too ultimately leads to Para Bhakti - Supreme devotion.

A million turn up for Thaipusam at Batu Caves
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/2/9/nation/3224563&sec=nation

Extracted from the Star Online

GOMBAK: Despite the scorching sun, more than a million people have thronged the temple in Batu Caves since Saturday to celebrate Thaipusam. The rituals were performed as acts of penance and to offer thanks to Lord Muruga, to fulfil vows and to repent for past sins. Chants of “Vel! Vel!” and the rhythm of traditional drums followed the kavadi bearers. Thaipusam marks the birth of Lord Muruga, the youngest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Thousands of devotees carried brightly-decorated ornate frames known as kavadi, some decorated with peacock feathers and garlands. Others carried milk pots. The temple took a carnival-like atmosphere with stalls selling traditional Indian food and drinks, framed copper images of Hindu deities, religious literature and music discs.

Thaipusam Festival 2008

This is the video of Thaipusam celebration that i discover in the YouTube. This is the video of last year (2008) celebration. For those who do not know what and how Thaipusam is celebrated, this video will enlight you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEfsLf2LUGk

You can find more related video in YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk6WZZU_Ee8

Video is on the top right corner. Enjoy the Malaysian culture.