January 2011
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Singapore
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival on a full moon night in the month of Thai (as per the Tamil calendar). Devotees carry a burden (varying from elaborate structures to pots of milk) that is known as the kavadi. The kavadi is attached to the devotee’s body through piercings (or is placed on the devotee’s head) and can sometimes weigh 20-30 kilograms. Additionally, the devotee often pierces parts of his face, chest, back, and tongue. Devotees fast for 48 hours before the morning of Thaipusam and on the day of the festival attach the kavadi to themselves and undertake a set route for pilgrimage (this can include walking 10-15 kilometers). Pilgrimages are made barefoot and by enduring the physical pain, the devotee thanks the lord for his gratitude and prays to him for the well-being of his family.
In Singapore, where a significant portion of the population is from the Tamil community, the pilgrimage begins at Sri Perumal temple and ends at the Tank Road Temple covering about 4.8 kilometers. A small number of ethnically Indian but non-Tamil devotees and a small number of ethnic Chinese and Malay community members also carry out this tradition.
These photographs were taken in and around the temple as devotees prepared for the pilgrimage, left for the pilgrimage, and walked the set path of the pilgrimage.
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