TranslateWhen: January/February
Thai Pusam falls on the full moon of the Tamil month Thai, when the Pusam star is ascendant. It commemorates the moment Goddess Parvati gave Lord Murugan the divine spear, the vel. Devotees fast, shave their heads, dress in saffron and walk long distances to Murugan temples carrying decorated kavadis, many piercing their cheeks and tongues as acts of penance.
When
Full moon of the Tamil month Thai (January or February)
Where
Palani, Thiruthani, Swamimalai, Thiruchendur and other Murugan temples
Duration
One main day, with pilgrim walks over several days before
Main highlight
Kavadi processions and the hill climb at Palani
Pilgrims observe a strict vegetarian fast for weeks beforehand. On the day itself, they carry kavadis — arched wooden or metal frames decorated with peacock feathers, flowers and pots of milk — on their shoulders to the temple, often walking barefoot for days from their home towns. Milk abhishekam is performed on the deity, and the temple runs continuous worship through the night.
Devotees enter trance-like states accompanied by urumi melam and nadaswaram drumming. Cheek and tongue piercings with small vels are common acts of penance. At Palani, thousands climb the hill on foot, and the Palani temple's panchamirtham is distributed as prasadam. Free food halls run by volunteers line the pilgrim routes.
Palani in Dindigul district is the largest gathering, followed by Thiruthani, Thiruchendur, Swamimalai and Pazhamudircholai. Arrive very early in the morning to avoid the peak crowd. Palani has a winch and rope car for the hill ascent, but queues on Thai Pusam are extremely long. Dress modestly, remove footwear at the temple, and be prepared for large, dense crowds.
