Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Thai Pusam Hindu Festival

    Uploaded by

    Sanatana Dharma Foundation
    188 views2 pages
    The Magic of Hindu Festivals Hinduism is celebratory by nature. Hindus miss no opportunity to set mundane matters aside and join with family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike to feast and have fun, to renew the home and the heart and, most importantly, draw nearer to God. Festivals are perhaps more impressive and varied in Hinduism than in any other religion. The devout Hindu knows these are times of profound mysticism, when God and the Gods touch our world, revitalize our souls, lighten karmas and bless our families. Yet festivals do even more than this: they are essential to the perpetuation of religion, periodically reigniting the spark of zeal and devotion in the community. They provide the spiritual public square where Hindus engage with one another, affirming shared values and enjoying life's intersections. Before each celebration, vows are taken, scriptures are studied, pilgrimages are trodden and fasts observed in preparation--all individual acts of intimate devotion that bring the devotee closer to the Gods and keep him on the path to his inmost Self. As each festival begins, solitary adoration becomes a collective ritual, with millions of people taking their places in an ad-hoc choreography. Tradition is followed but the result is never the same; every festival is special and unforgettable in its own way. Thus the Hindu is reminded of his faith by the sounds, scents and the wild medley of tastes laid out for the feast. His mind and emotions are imbued with Hinduism as sacred mantra prayers are intoned, the spiritual teachings are recounted by saints and the Gods are praised in melodious bhajans. Each state of India, indeed each village, lends a little of its unique culture to how a festival is celebrated, creating almost endless variations. But recently, with the growing Hindu population outside of India, festivals have acquired an international dimension. They provide a window into Hinduism for the non-Hindu populations in countries as far flung as Norway, Chile and Canada. At the same time, for Hindus immersed in foreign and often very alien cultures, festivals are the most visible and memorable sign of their heritage. Celebrated with unmatched fervor but with paced regularity, festivals serve as a reminder of one's identity and allegiance to Hindu traditions and ideals. What could be more entertaining, alive, vibrant and yet pious and rich in symbolism than a Hindu festival? Professor Dr. Shiva Bajpai remarked that it is through festivals that most Hindus experience their religion: "Festivals, pilgrimages and temple worship are the faith armor of Hindus."

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    The Magic of Hindu Festivals Hinduism is celebratory by nature. Hindus miss no opportunity to set mundane matters aside and join with family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike to feast and have fun, to renew the home and the heart and, most importantly, draw nearer to God. Festivals are perhaps more impressive and varied in Hinduism than in any other religion. The devout Hindu knows these are times of profound mysticism, when God and the Gods touch our world, revitalize our souls, lighten karmas and bless our families. Yet festivals do even more than this: they are essential to the perpetuation of religion, periodically reigniting the spark of zeal and devotion in the community. They provide the spiritual public square where Hindus engage with one another, affirming shared values and enjoying life's intersections. Before each celebration, vows are taken, scriptures are studied, pilgrimages are trodden and fasts observed in preparation--all individual acts of intimate devotion that bring the devotee closer to the Gods and keep him on the path to his inmost Self. As each festival begins, solitary adoration becomes a collective ritual, with millions of people taking their places in an ad-hoc choreography. Tradition is followed but the result is never the same; every festival is special and unforgettable in its own way. Thus the Hindu is reminded of his faith by the sounds, scents and the wild medley of tastes laid out for the feast. His mind and emotions are imbued with Hinduism as sacred mantra prayers are intoned, the spiritual teachings are recounted by saints and the Gods are praised in melodious bhajans. Each state of India, indeed each village, lends a little of its unique culture to how a festival is celebrated, creating almost endless variations. But recently, with the growing Hindu population outside of India, festivals have acquired an international dimension. They provide a window into Hinduism for the non-Hindu populations in countries as far flung as Norway, Chile and Canada. At the same time, for Hindus immersed in foreign and often very alien cultures, festivals are the most visible and memorable sign of their heritage. Celebrated with unmatched fervor but with paced regularity, festivals serve as a reminder of one's identity and allegiance to Hindu traditions and ideals. What could be more entertaining, alive, vibrant and yet pious and rich in symbolism than a Hindu festival? Professor Dr. Shiva Bajpai remarked that it is through festivals that most Hindus experience their religion: "Festivals, pilgrimages and temple worship are the faith armor of Hindus."

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    188 views2 pages

    Thai Pusam Hindu Festival

    Uploaded by

    Sanatana Dharma Foundation
    The Magic of Hindu Festivals Hinduism is celebratory by nature. Hindus miss no opportunity to set mundane matters aside and join with family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike to feast and have fun, to renew the home and the heart and, most importantly, draw nearer to God. Festivals are perhaps more impressive and varied in Hinduism than in any other religion. The devout Hindu knows these are times of profound mysticism, when God and the Gods touch our world, revitalize our souls, lighten karmas and bless our families. Yet festivals do even more than this: they are essential to the perpetuation of religion, periodically reigniting the spark of zeal and devotion in the community. They provide the spiritual public square where Hindus engage with one another, affirming shared values and enjoying life's intersections. Before each celebration, vows are taken, scriptures are studied, pilgrimages are trodden and fasts observed in preparation--all individual acts of intimate devotion that bring the devotee closer to the Gods and keep him on the path to his inmost Self. As each festival begins, solitary adoration becomes a collective ritual, with millions of people taking their places in an ad-hoc choreography. Tradition is followed but the result is never the same; every festival is special and unforgettable in its own way. Thus the Hindu is reminded of his faith by the sounds, scents and the wild medley of tastes laid out for the feast. His mind and emotions are imbued with Hinduism as sacred mantra prayers are intoned, the spiritual teachings are recounted by saints and the Gods are praised in melodious bhajans. Each state of India, indeed each village, lends a little of its unique culture to how a festival is celebrated, creating almost endless variations. But recently, with the growing Hindu population outside of India, festivals have acquired an international dimension. They provide a window into Hinduism for the non-Hindu populations in countries as far flung as Norway, Chile and Canada. At the same time, for Hindus immersed in foreign and often very alien cultures, festivals are the most visible and memorable sign of their heritage. Celebrated with unmatched fervor but with paced regularity, festivals serve as a reminder of one's identity and allegiance to Hindu traditions and ideals. What could be more entertaining, alive, vibrant and yet pious and rich in symbolism than a Hindu festival? Professor Dr. Shiva Bajpai remarked that it is through festivals that most Hindus experience their religion: "Festivals, pilgrimages and temple worship are the faith armor of Hindus."

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 2

    k.

    shanmugam
    Thai Pusam
    Honoring the God of Yoga

    B
    y many names we known Him. He is Murugan, the arrives to end all conflicts with piercing wisdom and swift
    beautiful one. He is Dandapani, the God of yoga who action. During January/February, the Tamil month of Thai,
    guides us on the path to Self Realization. He is Ku- millions gather to worship and honor Him with fervor.
    mara, the God of child-like love, holding steady the higher In North America, He has temples in Arizona, Maryland,
    realms of creation. He is Karttikeya, the God of war, who Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and California.

    How is Thai Pusam celebrated?


    Devotees prepare themselves through prayer
    and fasting. On the day of the festival, many
    shave their heads, an act of sacrifice that
    symbolizes humility and the surrender of
    vanity. They undertake a pilgrimage to a
    place where Thai Pusam is being celebrated,
    usually a temple, while performing acts of
    devotion and penance. The most notable
    practices are the carrying of kavadis (“bur-
    dens”). Thai Pusam is observed in the Tamil
    month of Thai, between January 15 and Feb-
    ruary 15, when the Pushya star cluster, called
    Pusam in Tamil, rises with the full moon.

    What is kavadi?
    Kavadi is an offering carried by a devotee
    during a grand parade and offered to Muru-
    gan at the destination. The most common,
    k. shanmugam

    pal kudam, is a pot filled with milk carried


    over one’s head. Less common but more im-
    pressive are the bamboo structures formed
    like a peacock or chariot, ornamented with

    64 h i n d u i s m t o day a p r i l / m ay / j u n e , 2 0 1 0
    symbols evocative of Murugan. Some are What is Thai Pusam’s special significance?
    heavy structures many feet tall and cov- This festival celebrates the moment in sa-
    ered in peacock feathers. For weeks before cred legends when Lord Murugan, as the
    the festival, kavadi carriers observe celiba- commander-in-chief of the divine army,
    cy, take only fresh, light foods, while striv- defeated, using various spiritual powers,
    ing to think continuously of the Deity. Just a mighty demon named Taraka who was
    before the sacred walk, they take a vow wreaking havoc in all the worlds.
    and pray for boons, often pledging some
    form of sacrifice or change in behavior. Where is Thai Pusam celebrated?
    During the ordeal, many experience states This festival is widely celebrated among
    of euphoria or trance. communities of Tamil peoples in South In-
    dia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Fiji, South Africa,
    What is the purpose of kavadi? Singapore, Mauritius, the Caribbean and
    Austerity strengthens willpower, clears North America. In South India, thousands
    the mind of regrets, resolves problems walk barefoot for days to Palani Hills car-
    and brings closeness to God. Devotees be- rying colorful kavadis. The largest celebra-
    lieve that God will make any burden seem tions take place in Malaysia, where it is a
    weightless as long as their faith is firm. Ka- public holiday. The temple at Batu Caves,
    vadi is the highest form of offering, a gift near Kuala Lumpur, attracts a million devo-
    to God of personal effort and sacrifice. tees on that day.

    k. shanmugam
    Tidbits About Thai Pusam
     What other acts of penance are ob- vel. Other famous acts of penance include
    served? After fasting and following other walking on hot coals and wearing nail
    spiritual preparations, carriers of kavadi shoes. It is considered a miracle of faith God Loves a Parade
    may ask a priest to pierce their bodies with that fire walkers suffer no burns, and
    small spears, replicas of Lord Murugan’s piercings do not bleed or leave scars. Hindu festivals often feature a grand
    parade in which the Deity is taken
     Why are these austerities per- through the streets. The procession
    formed? Fasting, head-shaving and attracts huge crowds, energizing devotees
    kavadi are acts of devotion and pen- and bringing God’s blessings out to the
    ance to atone for misdeeds, earn spiri- city from the confines of the temple. It
    tual merit and subdue the ego. Such is not the temple’s main Deity image
    austerities soften and relieve the that is paraded, but a smaller statue or
    burdens of karma, guilt, regret and symbol. An ornate chariot built of wood
    troublesome memories. Through sa- and silver is pulled with huge ropes by
    cred rites and intense prayers, the De- throngs of devotees. The procession in
    ity’s soothing blessings are received Kuala Lumpur begins in the heart of the
    into the nerve system of the devotee. city and proceeds 15 kilometers—a slow,
    Penance, sincerely performed with 8-hour journey—to Batu Caves. There the
    the help of the angelic worlds, heals Deity is carried up the flight of 272 steps
    mental-emotional wounds and grants to the Murugan shrine inside the cave.
    release from suffering.

    Hinduism: Fact & Fiction


    FACT: Devotees who receive piercings and undergo other self-inflicting austerities
    during Thai Pusam do not bleed, suffer infections or experience prolonged pain
    after the events. Fasting, herbal salves, celibacy and a trance-like, exalted state
    mitigate human suffering commonly experienced when such practices are carried
    out unsupervised. Those who express devotion in such extreme ways are accorded
    reverential respect by the community.
    FICTION: Many people believe that karma means “fate,” a preordained destiny
    over which one has no control. This is untrue. Karma is the process of action and
    k. shanmugam

    reaction on all levels—physical, mental and spiritual. We each have the power
    to remold our future by the way we live now. If we sow goodness, we will reap
    goodness; if we sow evil, we will reap evil.

    a p r i l / m ay / j u n e , 2 0 1 0 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 65

    You might also like