Batu Caves Ear Piercing

Legend has it that on this day Goddess Parvati gave her son Lord Muruga an invincible lance to destroy Tharakasuran and other demons who were creating destruction on earth. Hence, this festival of Thaipusam is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil and is believed to mark Muruga's birthday.

Symbolising the victory of good over evil, devotees celebrated 'Thaipusam' not only across Tamil Nadu, but also in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. With a large Tamil-speaking population living overseas, the festival was celebrated with equal gusto across Malaysia, South Africa, Indonesia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.

-

Thaipusam or Thai-poosam, is celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). 'Thai' is the name of the month and 'Pusam' is the name of a star.

Facing The World: 2009

The festival is dedicated to Lord Murugan (the son of Shiva and Parvati). Lakhs of people paid visit to Sathya Gnana Sabari temple to celebrate this festival.

The Sathya Gnana Sabari temple has no idol, but only the jothi (started by Vallalar in 1872) which is shown six times on Thaipoosam. Ramalinga Swamigal, popularly known as Vallalar, established the Sathya Dharma Sala on May 23, 1867 to feed the poor, and the oven he lighted that day is still burning to continue the charitable gesture.

Legend has it that on this day Goddess Parvati gave her son Lord Muruga an invincible lance to destroy Tharakasuran and other demons who were creating destruction on earth. Hence, this festival of Thaipusam is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil and is believed to mark Muruga's birthday.

Traditional

Traditional Indian Hindu Religious Praying Items In Ear Piercing Ceremony For Children. Focus On The Betel Leaves. India Special Rituals Events. Stock Photo, Picture And Royalty Free Image. Image 51616499

And when the prayers are answered, devotees fulfil their vows by piercing their body. Many displayed their fervour by carrying heavy ornate metal structures called kavadis, affixed to their bodies with sharp metal spikes that are hammered into the skin.

A devotee has his tongue pierced during the Thaipusam festival in Singapore. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival observed on the day of the full moon during the Tamil calendar month of Thai, and celebrated in honour of the Hindu god Lord Murugan. Photo by: REUTERS/Feline Lim

Traditional

A Hindu devotee with his body pierced with metal skewers takes part in a procession during the Thaipusam festival on the outskirts of Kochi. Legend has it that on this day Goddess Parvati gave her son Lord Muruga an invincible lance to destroy Tharakasuran and other demons who were creating destruction on earth. Hence, this festival of Thaipusam is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil and is believed to mark Muruga's birthday. And when the prayers are answered, devotees fulfil their vows by piercing their body. Many displayed their fervour by carrying heavy ornate metal structures called kavadis, affixed to their bodies with sharp metal spikes that are hammered into the skin. Photo by: REUTERS/Sivaram V

Ear Piercing Ceremony + Bday Celebration

This picture shows Kumaraguru Kunalan (L), having his tongue pierced with a steel skewer by his father Kunalan Nadarajah (R) as part of a ritual for their religious pilgrimage to a Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam festival celebrations at a complex of temples outside Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Hindu devotee Kumaraguru Kunalan hauled a wooden pole with metal pots hanging from it up to a temple carved into a hillside as drumming and incense smoke filled the air. Photo by: MOHD RASFAN / AFP

Top

A Hindu devotee with milk jugs hung on hooks pierced into his back participates in a procession during Thaipusam at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This picture taken on January 20, 2019 shows hundreds of Hindu devotees making their pilgrimage to a Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam festival celebrations at a complex of temples outside Kuala Lumpur. Photo by: MOHD RASFAN / AFP

Hindu

A Complete Guide To Explore The Historical Batu Caves In Kuala Lumpur

DNA Exclusive | Jungle raj, legacy of corruption, 1 million jobs: Why 'Nitish for PM in 2024' is easier said than done

This picture shows Kumaraguru Kunalan (L), having his tongue pierced with a steel skewer by his father Kunalan Nadarajah (R) as part of a ritual for their religious pilgrimage to a Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam festival celebrations at a complex of temples outside Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Hindu devotee Kumaraguru Kunalan hauled a wooden pole with metal pots hanging from it up to a temple carved into a hillside as drumming and incense smoke filled the air. Photo by: MOHD RASFAN / AFP

Top

A Hindu devotee with milk jugs hung on hooks pierced into his back participates in a procession during Thaipusam at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This picture taken on January 20, 2019 shows hundreds of Hindu devotees making their pilgrimage to a Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam festival celebrations at a complex of temples outside Kuala Lumpur. Photo by: MOHD RASFAN / AFP

Hindu

A Complete Guide To Explore The Historical Batu Caves In Kuala Lumpur

DNA Exclusive | Jungle raj, legacy of corruption, 1 million jobs: Why 'Nitish for PM in 2024' is easier said than done