Thaipusam 2024

Thai Poosam is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai, which coincides with the star Poosam. The festival is dedicated to Lord Muruga, the son of Shiva and Parvati, and the commander of the celestial army. The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Muruga a divine spear called Vel to defeat the demon Soorapadman. The festival also honors the saint Ramalinga Vallalar, who attained enlightenment on this day. This year, Thai Poosam will be celebrated on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Thai Poosam is a portmanteau of two Tamil words: the name of the month Thai and the name of the star Poosam. The festival is also known as Thaipusam or Thaipooyam in other languages. The festival is celebrated by the Tamils of the Hindu community in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and other parts of the world. The festival is a celebration of devotion and faith, where devotees pray and make vows to Lord Muruga, and fulfill them by performing various rituals and acts of penance.

Thai Poosam is a festival of joy and gratitude, where devotees express their appreciation to Lord Muruga for his blessings and protection. It is also a festival of renewal and transformation, where devotees seek forgiveness for their sins and strive to overcome their negative qualities and attain spiritual growth. Thai Poosam is a time to celebrate the victory of good over evil and the power of divine grace.

Lord Muruga is one of the most popular and revered deities in Hinduism, especially among the Tamils. He is also known as Kartikeya, Skanda, Subramanya, Shanmukha, and many other names. He is the god of war, wisdom, beauty, and youth. He is depicted as a handsome and radiant six-faced god, riding a peacock and holding a Vel in his hand. He is the patron of the Tamil language and literature, and the guardian of the hills and forests.

Thai Poosam celebrates the day when Parvati gave Muruga the Vel, a divine spear that symbolizes wisdom, power, and truth. With the Vel, Muruga defeated the demon Soorapadman and his army, who had oppressed the gods and the sages. Muruga split the demon into two halves, one becoming a peacock and the other a rooster, which became his mounts. Muruga also restored peace and harmony in the three worlds and established his rule as the commander of the celestial army.

Saint Ramalinga Vallalar was a 19th century Tamil poet, mystic, and social reformer. He is also known as Arutprakasa Vallalar and Swami Ramalingam. He was a great devotee of Lord Muruga and composed many hymns in praise of him. Vallalar also advocated universal brotherhood, compassion, and non-violence. He founded a movement called Sathya Gnana Sabhai, which means the Hall of True Wisdom. The Saint preached that the path to God is through love and service to humanity.

Thai Poosam is also the day when Vallalar attained enlightenment and became one with the supreme light. He called this state as Arutperunjothi, which means the infinite grace light. Vallalar performed many miracles and healed many people with his grace. He also predicted his own death and disappeared from his room in Mettukuppam, near Vadalur, on January 30, 1874, which was a Thai Poosam day.

The main ritual of Thai Poosam is the Kavadi Attam, which means the burden dance. Devotees carry a wooden or metal arch called Kavadi, which is decorated with flowers, feathers, and images of Lord Muruga. Some devotees also pierce their cheeks, tongue, or skin with Vel skewers or hooks. These acts of self-mortification are done as a symbol of sacrifice, devotion, and gratitude to Lord Muruga.

Devotees prepare for the Kavadi Attam by observing a strict regimen of fasting, praying, and abstaining from worldly pleasures for several days or weeks. They also wear saffron or yellow clothes, which are the colors of Lord Muruga. They walk barefoot for several kilometers, carrying the Kavadi and chanting the name of Lord Muruga. They reach the temple of Lord Muruga, where they offer the Kavadi and the Vel to the deity and seek his blessings.

Another ritual of Thai Poosam is the Paal Kudam, which means the milk pot. Devotees carry a pot of cow milk as an offering to Lord Muruga. They also walk barefoot for several kilometers, carrying the pot on their head and chanting the name of Lord Muruga. They reach the temple of Lord Muruga, where they pour the milk over the Vel or the idol of the deity and seek his blessings.

Thai Poosam is a festival of joy and celebration. Here are some of the things that you can do on Thai Poosam to make it more memorable and meaningful:

• Participate in the Kavadi Attam or the Paal Kudam and offer your prayers and vows to Lord Muruga. You can also witness the colorful and vibrant procession of the devotees carrying the Kavadi and the Paal Kudam and join them in chanting the name of Lord Muruga.
• Visit the temple of Lord Muruga and seek his blessings and grace. You can also offer flowers, fruits, coconut, and sweets to the deity and receive the holy ash and the Vibhuti as prasad. You can also listen to the recitation of the Skanda Purana, the sacred scripture that narrates the stories of Lord Muruga.
• Watch the Thiruvizha, which means the festival, which is a cultural and religious event that showcases the folk arts and traditions of the Tamils. You can also enjoy the music, dance, drama, and puppet shows that are performed by the artists and the devotees.
• Read the poems and songs of Saint Vallalar and get inspired by his teachings and miracles. You can also visit his samadhi in Mettukuppam and pay your respects to him. You can also join the Sathya Gnana Sabhai and learn more about his philosophy and vision.
• ook and share delicious food with your family and friends. You can also try different varieties of Pongal, which is a traditional dish of rice cooked with milk and jaggery, and other delicacies, such as Vadai, Payasam, Murukku, etc., made with rice, lentils, coconut, and spices.

Thai Poosam (2024) will be celebrated on Thursday, January 25, 2024. It is a public holiday in some states, such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. It is also a major festival in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries where the Tamil diaspora lives. Thai Poosam (2024) is a great opportunity to celebrate the festival of devotion and faith and honor Lord Muruga and Saint Vallalar.

If you want to know more about Thai Poosam and its pooja procedure, you can reach out to the astrologers and priests registered and listed with Sulekha. Sulekha is a leading online platform that connects you with verified and experienced astrologers and priests who can guide you with the best advice and solutions for your queries and problems. You can also book online pooja services and get personalized horoscope predictions and remedies from Sulekha. Visit Sulekha website or app today to make your Thai Poosam celebrations more auspicious and authentic.