The Thaipusam Festival is celebrated according to the Tamil Calendar in places with a large Tamil population.
Do you know: Over the years, the festival has become more dramatic with devotes spearing their bodies with hooks and spears and even pulling large wagons with ropes attached to their backs.
The Thaipusam Festival celebrates Lord Murugan’s victory over Soorapadmam with the spear given to him by goddess Parvati. Large statues of the god of War, are transported from one temple to another. En route, devotees join the procession bearing offerings. However, many devotees inflict flesh wounds on themselves, as a mark of ‘sacrifice at every step’ for the Lord.
