Thai Pusam – Festival celebrated by Tamils.

Thai Pusam is one of the festivals celebrated in Tamilnadu and all over the world. Especially Palani (Tamilnadu), Batu Caves (Malaysia), and London. Thai Pusam is celebrated in the month of January-February. Thai Pusam is highly celebrated in Palani and Batu caves. People offer vows to Lord Murugan. Lots of people flock to worship Murugan on this day.

Thai Pusam Float festival, a 3-day festival is celebrated in Mylapore Kapaleeswarar temple. Lord Kapaleeswarar is taken to the procession in Float cart on Day 1 that is on Pournami (Full moon). Lord Singaravelar (Murugan) is taken out for procession in a floating cart on the remaining two days. There are many other temples all over Tamilnadu celebrated with vows, processions, and float festivals.

Thai Pusam is observed as a holiday in Malaysia. Prayers and abishegams are offered to Lord Murugan on this day. Thai Pusam chariot is celebrated in Palani, Tamilnadu. It is a thanksgiving festival to Lord Murugan. In addition to Malaysia and Tamilnadu, Thai Pusam is celebrated in Singapore, Srilanka, Mauritius, and Caribbean countries too. Some of the countries announced holidays for this festival and bank holidays too.

Goddess gave a divine spear to Lord Murugan to destroy the demon army to celebrate the victory of good over evil. The festival is observed on Pournami (full moon) in the Tamil month of Thai as per the solar calendar. This festival is time for repentance for devotees to celebrate. This festival is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the deity of youth and virtue.

Thousands of devotees took Kavadis all over Murugar temples worldwide. In Chidambaram(Thillai) theerthavari, Thaandavadharisanam Aarathi will be held on Thai Pusam. In Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, Lord Meenakshi Sundareswarar will be taken in a floating cart in Mariamman Theppakulam. Lord Muthukumara swami (Lord Murugan) is taken out in various processions like chariot, wedding, Golden peacock. In Ulsoor, Karnataka it is observed as an auspicious month and day of every year. This is now more than 50 years. In 2019, they celebrated the golden Jubilee year.