THAIPUSAM FESTIVAL
Associated With: Penance And Atonement
Falls On:January/February
Deity Worshipped:Lord Subramanya
The Hindu people are intense about their religion, and take
some extraordinary measures to display their devotion. A good example is
the Thaipusam festival. Thaipusam is the feast for the son of Shiva, Lord
Subramanya. Celebrations of this festival are carried out at almost all
the temples of Lord Subramanya. This festival is celebrated in the month
of January/February. 
Thaipusam is a festival from Tamil Nadu associated
with penance and atonement. Lord Subramanya is the universal granter of
wishes. All those who wish to ask for a future favor, fulfill a vow in
return for a granted favor, or to repent for past sins participate in this
festival (basically, all Hindus fall in one of these groups). Devotees
walk long distances, carrying offerings, to reach the temple of the Lord.
Many devotees raise the stakes by entering a trance, and piercing their
bodies with skewers.
To the uninitiated Thaipusam is a stunning, totally unexpected assault on
the senses. Hair-raising sights of human bodies covered in hooks, which
anchor huge Kavadis (ritualistic yokes) balanced on heads and cheeks
pierced with small spears, wooden tongues and arrows. The most elaborate
Kavadis can weigh as much as 80 pounds, a platform ornately decorated with
peacock feathers, Christmas decorations, even plastic dolls!
Celebration At Palani
At Palani Thaipusam is a ten-day festival held in the Periyanayaki
temple. Since the festival falls in January - the post harvest season, the
exuberance of the agriculturists and their lusty participation lends
unique splendour to the temple. The most remarkable feature of this
festival is the parading devout 'Bhaktas' (devotees) bearing Kavadis.
The yellow robed 'Bhaktas' coming from several distant places dance their
way through the streets to reach the Muruga Sannidhi to the accompaniment
of music, both instrumental and vocal. Many strangely and ghastly
traditions, like the lips pierced with mini silver lance, and locking of
the mouth with metal ring to maintain perfect silence and drawing of small
make shift chariot with its chain hooked into the back of devotees strike
the eye of spectator during the festival.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is at
Madurai, at a distance of
119-km.
Rail: There is a railway station at Palani but it is advisable to
travel upto Dindigal or
Madurai by train and take bus or
taxi to reach Palani. Madurai and Dindigal stations are well connected
with Chennai,
Bangalore,
Salem, Coimbatore
and other important cities/towns in Tamil Nadu.
Road: Palani is well connected by road with all-important
cities/towns in Tamil Nadu. There are frequent buses to
Madurai,
Coimbatore,
Chennai, and
Dindigal, etc.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at the moderate class hotels, economy class hotels and lodges, Devasthanam cottages and choultries in Palani.
