Thaipusam 2025 in Singapore

Thaipusam is a religious celebration held by devotees of Singapore's Tamil community. Its highlight is a barefoot walk of devotees carrying milk pots and dancing with prickly kavadis decorated with flowers and peacock feathers that weigh up to 176 pounds (80 kg). All that is done to honor Lord Subramaniam or Murugan, who is known as the destroyer of evil.

Festival Symbolism

Milk symbolizes​ abundance and fertility, whereas thorny kavadis, literally translated as "sacrifice at every step", contributes to the month-long vegetarian trial, as the devotees follow the conviction that mind and body should be free of any extra pleasures, but rather undergo sufferings in order to get rid of the evil and rebirth into the good.

The ritual embodies a token of worshipping the figure. The whole idea of the feast is actually to pray in order to obtain Murugan's virtues and get rid of one's wickedness. One of the traditions is the piercing of the skin, cheeks, or tongue with large skewers. Before the festival, the participants often fast, follow a strict meat-free diet and pray.

Customs & Traditions

The ritual celebration lasts for two days. On the second day, the devotees chant glorifying songs to Lord Murugan while carrying milk pots. The procession winds its way along 2.8 miles (4.5 km), beginning from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and finishing at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, where the milk is finally poured over from the pots on the statue of Lord Murugan. During the procession, roads between Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and Sri Thendayuthapani Temple are closed to traffic.

Celebration Dates

Celebration date varies from year to year depending on Tamil calendar. The festival is usually held on the full moon of the Thai month, which is either in mid-January or early February.