Every January/February, depending upon the lunar month - on a full-moon day in the Tamil month of Thai, the Hindus will celebrate Thaipusam in honour of their Hindu God, Lord Subramaniam (sometimes referred to as Lord Murugan) who is a son of the Hindu God Shiva. He is believed to represent virtue, youth and power.

As mentioned in the documentary, Thaipusam is celebrated in Singapore and also in Malaysia, although it does not occur in India, which is rather strange to me. Thaipusam is important to the Hindus, as they believe that it reinforces the solidarity of the minority Hindu community and symbolises the eternal struggle

After watching the documentary, I had a clearer view and understanding of Thaipusam which has always puzzled me since young as a boy, living in Singapore and watching the Thaipusam procession passed me by for so many years without knowing exactly and clearly what it means to the Hindu community.

Devotees are believed to attain a level of physical and mental harmony that ensures no bleeding takes place or any pain is felt.

between good and evil. This festival is known for the devotees who fulfil vows by shaving their heads bald or performing rituals. Some have their cheeks, chest and tongue pierced with flesh hooks or thin sharp spear like metal rods that looks more like skewers. Personally, I find the piercing ritual rather horrifying as it was a gory scene with lots of blood. Some of the devotees carry milk pots, while some carry a 'Kavadi'. The 'Kavadi' is a large festive structure, made of aluminium, cove

Some common words found in the essay are:
Thaipusam Hindus, Temple Cave, Geographic Channel, Lumpur Discovered, God Shiva, , Batu Caves, Thai Hindus, Singapore Malaysia, Malaysia Situated, hindu community, national geographic, festival devotees, hindu god, thaipusam festival, thaipusam procession,
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