Its Thaipusam Time!

 

Most of them asked if I was ok when I posted my 'Divine' image on FaceBook, and how perceptions vary with how you look. Keeping my facial hair in full bloom was my latest experiment to see if I would cut it as a Rishi or a Yogi and what better place and time to put on my display than at the Thaipusam when all the Hindus gather in town for the annual Kavadi day. 

Accompanied by my daughter, I took a long, relaxing walk from home to the location. Working out my legs was good, as I have been sitting too much at the computer. My daughter met a few of her friends along the way in the picture she stands in the middle.

 

As always, the Indian Ladies mesmerized me with their radiant-colored Saris and beautiful smiles when I asked to snap a picture. 

"Thaipusam or Thaipoosam (Tamil: Taippūcam, IPA: [t̪əjppuːsəm]) is a Tamil Hindu festival celebrated on the first full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai coinciding with Pusam star. The festival signifies that Lord Murugan is a Siddha and an enlightened being. On this auspicious day, he transcended from his physical form, a concept known as Mukthi in Hinduism. He dedicated his life to serving humanity and left behind a wealth of wisdom for society.

The festival includes ritualistic practices of Kavadi Aattam, a ceremonial act of sacrifice carrying a physical burden as a means of balancing a spiritual debt. Worshipers often carry a pot of cow milk as an offering and also do mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers. Devotees prepare for the rituals by keeping clean, doing regular prayers, following a vegetarian diet and fasting while remaining celibate.

Thaipusam is observed by Tamils in India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia notably in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. It is also observed by other countries with significant Tamil diaspora like Fiji, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Canada, the Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, and in countries with significant Indian migrants like the United States. It is a public holiday in Mauritius, select states in Malaysia and in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu"  -  Wikipedia

All in all, it was just fun for everyone, and people need this these days when all you hear is the threats of war and environmental degradation. Accompanied by loud music live and from humongous speakers, one was uplifted in spirit to join the merriment. No matter what faith you hold to be true, it is imperative that you enjoy the faith of others and that they enjoy yours. This is living in harmony in a multi-cultural nation like Malaysia.