Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by Tamil communities around the world, particularly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Malaysia and Singapore. The festival is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory, and is observed on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai, which usually falls in January or February. It is a day of spiritual significance and devotion, where devotees show their devotion to Lord Murugan by performing acts of self-mortification, such as piercing their skin with skewers, carrying kavadis (elaborate structures with hooks) or carrying milk pots as offerings.
The most spectacular aspect of the festival is the kavadi attam, a ritual dance performed by devotees who have prepared for the festival by fasting, praying, and performing other acts of devotion. The kavadi is a decorated arch or frame, often made of wood or metal, which is carried on the shoulders of the devotees as they dance and sing hymns. The kavadi can be decorated with peacock feathers, flowers, and other symbols associated with Lord Murugan.
The festival is also celebrated with processions of devotees carrying milk pots to the temple, where the milk is poured over the statue of Lord Murugan as an offering. The festival is a time of great celebration, with music, drumming, and dancing, and is a significant event for the Tamil community, both for its religious significance and for the sense of community and solidarity it brings.