Update 4 Feb 2014: POLICE ARREST THREE AT THAIPUSAM PROCESSION
During the Thaipusam procession on 3 February 2015 at about 6.50pm, Thaipusam organisers requested a group of people to stop playing drums at the junction of Serangoon Road and Desker Road, as doing so contravened the conditions of the police permit for the event. However, the group was not cooperative and police were called in.
When police officers were speaking to the group, a 33 year old man from a separate group came forward and confronted the police officers in a rowdy manner. Despite numerous warnings to calm down, he persisted with his disorderly behaviour and was placed under arrest. While one of our officers was effecting the arrest of the man, another two men, aged 32 and 28, came forward to stop the arrest, with the 32 year old assaulting three officers in the process. The three men, all Singaporeans, also used vulgarities against the officers. All three men were believed to have been drinking earlier as they smelt strongly of alcohol. They have been arrested and investigations are ongoing. One injured Police officer was conveyed conscious to TTSH and is in stable condition.
The prohibition of musical instruments during processions is not a new requirement and has already been in place since 1973. Police have disallowed the use of music during procession to deter public disorder which may be caused by rivalries between groups and to minimize the impact of the procession along the procession route.
Eye-witness account of the Thaipusam incident on 3 February
The above video, taken by Shiva Shanker, shows what seems to be police officers confronting angry and rowdy participants at the Thaipusam festival.
The incident happened on 3 February 2015, Tuesday, during the annual Thaipusam procession which is held along Serangoon Road.
TOC spoke to Jaya (not his real name) who was involved in the commotion between the worshipers and law enforcement officers, to have an understanding of what happened from his point of view as an eye-witness.
Thaipusam 2015
– ASS: Thaipusam: Why are musical instruments banned in the first place?
– TRS: Open letter to PM: Please allow Indians to play instruments during Thaipusam
– Lovely Singapore: What really happened at the Thaipusam scuffle?
– MaskedCrusader: The Thaipusam Fracas – Real Answers Needed
– Five Stars and a Moon: Why shouldn’t instruments be used at Thaipussam?
– TRS: Open letter to PM: Please allow Indians to play instruments during Thaipusam
– Lovely Singapore: What really happened at the Thaipusam scuffle?
– MaskedCrusader: The Thaipusam Fracas – Real Answers Needed
– Five Stars and a Moon: Why shouldn’t instruments be used at Thaipussam?
– NewNation: Public drinking prohibition ineffective 3 men arrested still smelt of alcohol
Thaipusam: 5 things to know about the colourful Hindu festival
The Hindu Endowments Board announced on Jan 28 that the annual Thaipusam Festival procession will begin at 12.05am on Feb 3 this year.
At the start time, devotees carrying milk pots can begin their walk of faith from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road, which will start receiving milk offerings from 12.30am on the same day.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival which honours the victory of deity Lord Murugan over demon hordes. Devotees seek blessings and fulfil their vows by carrying kavadis - intricate structures of steel and wood which incorporate sharp body piercings - and milk pots as offerings.
read more
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated in January or February annually. Thaipusam is actually derived from thai which means "10th", and pusam meaning "when the moon is at its brightest". It is thus celebrated when the moon is full in the Tamil month of Thai (between January and February). Dedicated to Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Murugan, the deity of youth, power and virtue, this festival is a time for repentance for devotees with celebrations carried out mainly at the temple.
Devotees prepare themselves spiritually with extensive prayer and fasting before performing acts of penance or thanksgiving like carrying a kavadi from one temple to another. Often, sharp skewers are pierced through their tongues, cheeks and bodies as a practice of self-mortification. Offerings include fruits, flowers and pots of milk
Legend - This Hindu festival commemorates the feats of the Hindu God, Lord Subramaniam son of Lord Siva. It also acknowledges Subramaniam's triumph over the evil forces. According to the legend, devas or celestial beings at one time were so plagued by the asuras, or demons, that they pleaded with Lord Siva, to help them. Touched by their pleas, Lord Siva sent his son Subramaniam to conquer the asuras. After accomplishing this task, the victorious Subramaniam was believed to have appeared before his devotees. In the vision, he was bedecked with brilliant jewels, armed with a golden spear and seated on a chariot. Thus, on Thaipusam day, Lord Subramaniam's image, adorned and decorated, is placed on a silver chariot before his devotees. This is then taken in a procession the day before. Besides being acknowledged as a symbol of virtue, bravery, youth and beauty, the Hindus believe that Lord Subramaniam is also the universal dispenser of favours. Hence, some who have made vows and pledges to Lord Subramaniam prove their gratitude to him by undergoing self-mortification on Thaipusam day.
read more
Significance of Thaipusam
Thaipusam, like most Hindu festivals, celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is believed that Goddess Parvati gave the ‘Vel’ (lance) to Lord Muruga on the Thaipusam day to vanquish the Asura (demon) army. Thaipusam is observed on the Pusam star in the Tamil month of ‘Thai’ (January – February).
Lord Muruga, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, is also known as Skanda and Subrahamaniyan. He defeated Tarakasuran and other demons using the ‘vel.’ This is why most images of Lord Muruga have him carrying the powerful ‘vel.’
Thaipusam is mainly celebrated in the Tamil speaking world. In India, it is celebrated in the Southern State of Tamil Nadu and in parts of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Thaipusam celebration at the Batu Caves in Malaysia has become world famous. It is also celebrated with much fervor in Singapore.
related:
Thai Pusam Festival Dedicated to Lord Muruga
Thaipusam at Batu Caves in Malaysia
Legend behind taking Kavadi to Murugan Temples
Thaipusam Myths
Significance of Kavadi in Murugan Temples
What to do on Thaipusam Day?
Significance of Thaipusam
Foreigners who take Kavadi at the Batu Caves during Thaipusam
read more
Thaipusam 2015
Held during the full moon of the 10th Tamil month, called Thai, which will fall this year in January Thaipusam is a Hindu festival that is celebrated each year within the Tamil community in Singapore. On this day, devotees seek blessings and offer their thanks by carrying milk pots and wooden Kavadis along a 5 km walk.
Some devotees pierce their tongues with skewers while others pull a Kavadi on wheels attached by hooks to their upper back skin. They leave one after the other the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to go on the 5km walk to join Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road.
If you want to watch the Thaipusam spectacle, we suggest to start your journey at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at around 9 am to watch the preparations of the devotees. While chanting and meditating they are getting their skin pierced to carry the Kavadi. You could then leave the temple with one group as they get their blessings and walk with them along Serganoon Road, which is the procession route until Tank Road. The Thaipussam festival is a spectacle attracting quite a crowd even though it is not an event that is widely known. However, expect traffic to come to stand still on some parts along the way through Little India.
related: Thaipusam 2013 in Singapore
read more
Thaipusam 2015
Thaipusam or Thai Poosam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community. It falls in Tamil Solar month Thai which is Solar month Makara in other Hindu calendars.
It is celebrated not only in countries where the Tamil community constitutes a majority but also in countries where Tamil communities are smaller such as Mauritius, Singapore and Malaysia.
This festival is also referred as Thaipooyam and Thaippooyam. This festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a Vel or spear so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadam.
read more
Thaipusam 2015
Thaipusam is a key Hindu ceremony that is held each year during the full moon in the tenth month of the Hindu calendar – Thai – falling from mid-January to mid-February in the Gregorian calendar. It is marked in Malaysia by a public holiday.
Thaipusam is celebrated by the Hindu people of South India and the mainly Tamil-speaking Hindu communities throughout Malaysia. Thaipusam is dedicated as a thanksgiving to Lord Subramaniam (also known as Murugan) for answered prayers, and is also a day of penance.
Thaipusam is usually celebrated with a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang and Selangor only.
read more
The Hindu Endowments Board announced on Jan 28 that the annual Thaipusam Festival procession will begin at 12.05am on Feb 3 this year.
At the start time, devotees carrying milk pots can begin their walk of faith from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road, which will start receiving milk offerings from 12.30am on the same day.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival which honours the victory of deity Lord Murugan over demon hordes. Devotees seek blessings and fulfil their vows by carrying kavadis - intricate structures of steel and wood which incorporate sharp body piercings - and milk pots as offerings.
read more
Thaipusam 2015 தைப்பூசம்
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated in January or February annually. Thaipusam is actually derived from thai which means "10th", and pusam meaning "when the moon is at its brightest". It is thus celebrated when the moon is full in the Tamil month of Thai (between January and February). Dedicated to Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Murugan, the deity of youth, power and virtue, this festival is a time for repentance for devotees with celebrations carried out mainly at the temple.
Devotees prepare themselves spiritually with extensive prayer and fasting before performing acts of penance or thanksgiving like carrying a kavadi from one temple to another. Often, sharp skewers are pierced through their tongues, cheeks and bodies as a practice of self-mortification. Offerings include fruits, flowers and pots of milk
Legend - This Hindu festival commemorates the feats of the Hindu God, Lord Subramaniam son of Lord Siva. It also acknowledges Subramaniam's triumph over the evil forces. According to the legend, devas or celestial beings at one time were so plagued by the asuras, or demons, that they pleaded with Lord Siva, to help them. Touched by their pleas, Lord Siva sent his son Subramaniam to conquer the asuras. After accomplishing this task, the victorious Subramaniam was believed to have appeared before his devotees. In the vision, he was bedecked with brilliant jewels, armed with a golden spear and seated on a chariot. Thus, on Thaipusam day, Lord Subramaniam's image, adorned and decorated, is placed on a silver chariot before his devotees. This is then taken in a procession the day before. Besides being acknowledged as a symbol of virtue, bravery, youth and beauty, the Hindus believe that Lord Subramaniam is also the universal dispenser of favours. Hence, some who have made vows and pledges to Lord Subramaniam prove their gratitude to him by undergoing self-mortification on Thaipusam day.
read more
Significance of Thaipusam
Thaipusam, like most Hindu festivals, celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is believed that Goddess Parvati gave the ‘Vel’ (lance) to Lord Muruga on the Thaipusam day to vanquish the Asura (demon) army. Thaipusam is observed on the Pusam star in the Tamil month of ‘Thai’ (January – February).
Lord Muruga, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, is also known as Skanda and Subrahamaniyan. He defeated Tarakasuran and other demons using the ‘vel.’ This is why most images of Lord Muruga have him carrying the powerful ‘vel.’
Thaipusam is mainly celebrated in the Tamil speaking world. In India, it is celebrated in the Southern State of Tamil Nadu and in parts of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Thaipusam celebration at the Batu Caves in Malaysia has become world famous. It is also celebrated with much fervor in Singapore.
related:
Thai Pusam Festival Dedicated to Lord Muruga
Thaipusam at Batu Caves in Malaysia
Legend behind taking Kavadi to Murugan Temples
Thaipusam Myths
Significance of Kavadi in Murugan Temples
What to do on Thaipusam Day?
Significance of Thaipusam
Foreigners who take Kavadi at the Batu Caves during Thaipusam
read more
Thaipusam 2015
Held during the full moon of the 10th Tamil month, called Thai, which will fall this year in January Thaipusam is a Hindu festival that is celebrated each year within the Tamil community in Singapore. On this day, devotees seek blessings and offer their thanks by carrying milk pots and wooden Kavadis along a 5 km walk.
Some devotees pierce their tongues with skewers while others pull a Kavadi on wheels attached by hooks to their upper back skin. They leave one after the other the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to go on the 5km walk to join Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road.
If you want to watch the Thaipusam spectacle, we suggest to start your journey at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at around 9 am to watch the preparations of the devotees. While chanting and meditating they are getting their skin pierced to carry the Kavadi. You could then leave the temple with one group as they get their blessings and walk with them along Serganoon Road, which is the procession route until Tank Road. The Thaipussam festival is a spectacle attracting quite a crowd even though it is not an event that is widely known. However, expect traffic to come to stand still on some parts along the way through Little India.
related: Thaipusam 2013 in Singapore
read more
Thaipusam 2015
Thaipusam or Thai Poosam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community. It falls in Tamil Solar month Thai which is Solar month Makara in other Hindu calendars.
It is celebrated not only in countries where the Tamil community constitutes a majority but also in countries where Tamil communities are smaller such as Mauritius, Singapore and Malaysia.
This festival is also referred as Thaipooyam and Thaippooyam. This festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a Vel or spear so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadam.
read more
Thaipusam 2015
Thaipusam is a key Hindu ceremony that is held each year during the full moon in the tenth month of the Hindu calendar – Thai – falling from mid-January to mid-February in the Gregorian calendar. It is marked in Malaysia by a public holiday.
Thaipusam is celebrated by the Hindu people of South India and the mainly Tamil-speaking Hindu communities throughout Malaysia. Thaipusam is dedicated as a thanksgiving to Lord Subramaniam (also known as Murugan) for answered prayers, and is also a day of penance.
Thaipusam is usually celebrated with a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang and Selangor only.
read more
