Thaipusam 2025: A Festival of Penance & Thanksgiving
Thaipusam Singapore 2025:
Thaipusam 2025 Singapore is taking place tomorrow on the 11th February 2025, Tuesday. Processions will take place at parts of the Little India area where Serangoon Road, Tank Road, Hindoo Road, Pertain Road, Veerasamy Road, and some lanes will be closed off. You may refer to LTA website for the details on the list of road closures between 10th – 11th February 2025.
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road, one of the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, marks the start to the Chariot Procession. The 4km-long traditional walking route will end at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road.
Thaipusam 2025: What You Can Expect
The Carrying & Display of Kavadis
You can expect to see grand and colourful Kavadis carried by devotees along the way. The Kavadis are physical structures weighing up to 40 kg, decorated with flowers and religious images of deities. They are symbolic of physical burdens and are sometimes pierced or hooked onto the bodies of the devotees. Devotees prepared themselves for this day by fasting and purifying themselves before the festival to demonstrate their strength, commitment and resolution to carry the Kavadi.
Traditional Hindu Dances & Music
Get ready to take in the sights and sounds of rhythmic beats and chanting of hymns amidst music played by traditional instruments and percussions. You may also catch the Kavadi Attam, also known as the “burden dance”. It is the most prominent dance that involves the devotees who carry the Kavadis swaying and moving to the rhythm of the music. Some devotees may exhibit trance-like movements while expressing their connection and devotion to the Divine.
Milk Pot Offerings & Temple Visits
Milk is seen as pure and auspicious, and is a symbol of purity of the mind and body in Hindusm. Therefore, you may see devotees carrying pots of milk (paal kudam in Tamil) as offerings to express gratitude to Lord Murugan in the temple. Additionally, this significant ritual (abishekam) involves devotees pouring the milk from their pots over the statue of Lord Murugan at the end of the procession.
Thaipusam 2025 Celebration of the Victory of Good over Evil
The day of Thaipusam is based on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai. Apart from the seeking forgiveness and giving thanks to Lord Murugan, it is also to honor the God of war and victory. Essentially, the central theme and significance of Thaipusam is to celebrate the victory of God Murugan over the demon Surapadman. The occasion serves as a reminder that good will always prevail over evil, and that devoutness and faith can help overcome times of difficulties.
Thaipusam 2025 is Not a Public Holiday in Singapore
Although Thaipusam is not a public holiday in Singapore, you can still expect large crowds and potential traffic congestion as it is a major celebration for the Hindus in Singapore. As Thaipusam is a deeply spiritual event for the Hindus, do observe respectful boundaries especially during the procession, and when devotees are engaging in acts of worship.