Thaipusam Festival: A Spiritual Journey Through Devotion and Tradition in Singapore

Nearly 16,000 devotees participated in the Thaipusam festival in Singapore, performing rituals like carrying the 'paalkudam' or 'kavadis'. The event, significant for Tamil Hindus, faced logistical challenges such as long waiting periods at the temple. Solutions were discussed with temple authorities and the Hindu Endowments Board.

Almost 16,000 devotees gathered in Singapore on Tuesday to celebrate the Thaipusam festival, demonstrating intense devotion to Lord Murugan. The participants undertook traditional rituals, with most carrying the 'paalkudam', or milk pot, and around 300 bearing spike 'kavadis', involving piercing of the torso, face, and tongue.

The procession took a 3.2 km route from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. The vibrant celebration included not only the kavadi bearers but also enthusiastic instrumentalists, whose music brought lively dancing to the procession. Devotees like Semiconductor engineer Saravanan Rajasuran and sociology undergraduate Nusha Dakshyni shared their personal experiences and preparation for the event.

Guest of honour, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, praised the arrangements but highlighted the long waiting times encountered by the elderly and milk carriers at the Tank Road temple. He suggested the need for improved management and engaged with the Hindu Endowments Board and temple officials to seek viable solutions.

(With inputs from agencies.)