Thaipusam - Are we choosing the right path?

Vetrivel Muruganukku Arogara!

The time has finally come, calling Hindus from all over Malaysia for a divine time of the year- Thaipusam. I wonder, what comes to your mind when you hear the word Thaipusam?

A sea of divine-looking men and women in yellow clothes, flooding temples with milk-filled pots? 

Lines of daring and possessed-like devotees, pierced with sharp hooks and spears?

Tons of merrily-decorated grand looking kavadis along the streets?

The charm of urumi melams, blasting off devotional songs in maximum aplitude?

Why do hindus carry paal kudam all the way to Lord Muruga?

Why on earth did this man pierced a spear through his face?

Why does this man willing to endure the pain of carrying this majestic kavadi?

Speaking of Thaipusam, I bet there are many questions wandering off in your mind. This article may not be able to answer all your questions, but at least I could solve some of the mysteries:)

The word Thaipusam is actually a combination of the words Thai and Pusam, simple isn't it? Wait, what does that even mean? Thai is a month in Tamil calendar (15 January- 14 February) and Pusam is the name of a star, where it is said that this star is at its highest point during the festival.

This was exactly the question that was running in my mind, when I planned to write this article. Okay, I get the point that it's name is a combination of a month and a star. So what? What is the whole idea of celebrating Thaipusam? A little research enlightened me about this.

Speaking of the origin of this festival, I have seen and heard many related theories and stories. According to Kanda Puranam (a Sanskrit epic), there is little story behind all this, and here how it goes :

Once there was a sage (a wise man) named Agasthiyar, and he had a follower named Idumban. One day, Agasthiyar asked Idumban to bring him two hills, named Sakhti Giri and Siva Giri respectively. Idumban tied the two hills at both ends of a  huge pole, which he carried on his shoulder. 

A statue resembling Idumban carrying the two hills, at Palani Temple.

As the journey continued, Idumban felt thirsty, so he put down the hills and went to get some water. When he eventually came back and tried to carry back the hills, but failed. There stood the hills, not even moving a bit. According to the puranam, there was a boy, standing on top of one of the hills, and Idumban saw him. Idumban asked him to get down, but the boy refused and gave a fight. As both of the forces clashed, Idumban eventually got killed. As the truth revealed, the boy was actually a disguise of Lord Murugan. Lord Murugan restored Idumban's life and from that day on, Idumban became a faithful devotee to Lord Murugan.

Okay, the story is cool, but am I missing something here? I still don't get it, what's the connection of this story and Thaipusam? Yeah, you may ask this question right now. Here comes the most epic part of the story.

Being a loyal and faithful devotee, everyday Idumban would go all the way up to the hill and give abishegam (appreciation to God) to Lord Murugan. Idumban would bring milk and water, both in different containers, to the top of the hill. How he did it? The same way as he carried the hills, Idumban tied the two containers at both edges of a stick, and carried it on his shoulder. Okay, here comes the grand piece that completes the puzzle. One fine day, on the month of Thai, during the rise of Pusam star, Lord Murugan gave Mukthi (blessings) to Idumban for his pure dedication and faithfulness. 

Seeing this wonderful sight, people around his village began to follow Idumban's footsteps. They would bring milk, lemon juice, tairu, and karumbu chaaru to do abishegam for Lord Murugan - each of them hoping that they will get Lord Murugan's blessings as well.

So here you have it, the origin of Thaipusam.

Bringing paal kudams signifies the act of doing abishegam for Lord Murugan on Thaipusam, there's no doubt on it. But how about the kavadi? If we are following the act of Idumban, bringing milks and some other stuffs to Lord Murugan, on what sense are some of us doing all these? : 

I don't think Lord Murugan is a fan of Manchester United.

Just look at those piercings, dahsyat! But the question remains, why?

I admit it's kinda awesome and cool, but is it really necessary?

As years and decaded pass by, so does the manipulation of the tradition. The concept of Thaipusam is obviously misleaded, causing some of us to divert from the real divine meaning of the festival. 

For those who have been wondering, the idea of taking kavadi originated from the act of Idumban carrying the hills using a pole, placed on his shoulder. Some say that it is originated by the act of Idumban, bringing the milk and water to Lord Murugan, using the same technique too. One thing is clear- in both stories, no piercings or exaggerating acts are mentioned.

I was playing with Google recently, when I ended up on a Hinduism site- velmuruga.com. It was not long after I started scrolling down the page when a statement caught my eyes:

Actually, on Thaipusam, we can go to any Murugan temple, not only Batu Caves, bring any abishegam items, witness the thirumanjanam(abishegam), then listen to His songs, sing along, and get His prasadham to home. Thats all!

At the moment it hit me. It is, in fact, true.

The scenario of Thaipusam is indeed stunning. The awesome moment when the speakers blast off maximum volume Thaipusam songs. The relieving moment after one have finished their spiritual journey of taking paal kudam. The mesmerizing moment when one dances to the trance of urumi melam with kavadis on their back. The mouth-watering food and drinks, served in thaneer panthals along the streets. The indescribable moment when beautiful tamizhachis and handsome tamizhans flood the street, rising the so-called spirit of Thaipusam.

Just ask ourselves:

Why are we celebrating thaipusam?
What is our aim in celebrating Thaipusam? 
Are we celebrating it the correct way? 

And I will pray to God that you will find the answers to your questions.