Thaipusam Kavadi falls on 5th of February 2023
Thaipusam Kavadi is a significant Hindu festival that is celebrated in honour of Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The festival falls on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai, which is typically in January or February of the Gregorian calendar. This year, Thaipusam Kavadi falls on February 5th.
The word "kavadi" refers to the large, elaborate wooden structure that is carried by devotees as a form of devotion and penance. This structure is decorated with colourful flowers, peacock feathers, and other symbols of Lord Murugan. The kavadi is typically carried by a group of devotees, who take turns bearing its weight as they walk through the streets to the temple.
Before the festival, devotees prepare themselves by fasting and performing other rituals to purify their minds and bodies. They may also engage in acts of charity and perform other acts of devotion to Lord Murugan. On the day of the festival, devotees gather at the temple early in the morning to participate in the kavadi procession. They may also participate in other rituals such as abhishekam (a ritual of anointing milk, yogurt, honey, and other offerings to the deity) and archanai (worship).
One of the most important aspects of Thaipusam Kavadi is the kavadi attam. Devotees who participate in this ritual carry a semi-circular decorated arch made of bamboo and cloth, on their shoulders. They then dance to the rhythm of traditional music, while in a trance-like state, to the temple. It is believed that the devotees are possessed by Lord Murugan during this ritual, and they perform acts of devotion and penance, such as piercing their bodies with hooks and skewers, as a form of self-mortification.
Thaipusam Kavadi is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion in many parts of India, particularly in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It is also celebrated in many other countries where there is a significant Hindu population, such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Africa. The festival is considered to be a time of spiritual renewal and an opportunity to seek blessings and protection from Lord Murugan.
In conclusion, Thaipusam Kavadi is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in honour of Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. It falls on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai, typically in January or February of the Gregorian calendar. The kavadi is the main part of the festival, a large wooden structure that is carried by devotees in a procession through the streets to the temple. The festival is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm, and it is considered to be a time of spiritual renewal and an opportunity to seek blessings and protection from Lord Murugan.