*warning, images of body piercings in this post*
I can’t remember how many times I snoozed the alarm clock. 145am, I washed up and headed out to Serangoon. The roads were quiet, just like any other week night. Until I reached the area near racecourse road, I wound down the window and heard drumbeats from a distance and that strong scent of celebratory flavours. Did a last check on my GPS, I headed towards the Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple.
Along the way, the roads were barricaded, and I could see devotees, mostly with the pots over their head walking towards the direction of Dhoby Ghuat. No signs of Kavadi carriers yet. The main entrance of the temple was blocked, supposedly to facillitate the procession. Once in the temple compound, one could easily feel the festive mood. Drums, chants and not to mention, bright colored decorations and offerings. After 15mins of frantic calling, I finally found Indren and his entourage. To cut things short, they did their prayers and prepared the [tag]Kavadi[/tag] for the big walk. The piercing started once they got their Kavadi up and it started from the body. I didn’t notice till the end of the journey that he was now carrying a different Kavadi from the one I saw 2 years ago. This one has spokes directly connected from the Kavadi to his body, while the one he had last time were using chains, which was easier to handle (so I thought).
After the all the spokes were being put on, they proceeded with the mouth. Two thick needles were pierced in horizontal and vertical directions, through the cheeks and tongue. As if to alleviate the feeling of pain, his friends and relatives gathered around him and chant/sang, with the increased tempo of drumbeats. In not time, they were all fixed. Throughout the whole process, no blood was seen, pretty amazing.
The processions started once he got warmed up. As he walked out of the temple, the entire entourage followed behind, with a few guys standing close to prevent people from accidentally knocking into him during the journey. Ok, that makes photo taking difficult, but in that lighting condition, there’s very little I can do. Once out of the temple, I saw a whole bunch of chinese youngsters cheering him on. Turned out to be the men from his platoon. Indren is an Army officer and his men showed up to support as well as witness the event. They were a pretty fun bunch, joining in the chants and singing (at times). During the journey, a guy commented, “This is Thaipusam, I see more chinese and than indians!” But hey, what do you expect, it’s a PLATOON, it’s hard to match really.
I decided to walk barefooted along with the rest of the guys, since the road is not hot at that hour. Partly because I was told by one of the guys in the temple that I wasn’t allowed to wear footwear and also I have the intention to enter Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road as well. Anyway, it was good foot massage. This is my second time walking with them, the feeling is much more mellowed than the one I attended last time. Partly because there were less dancing during the journey due to the different set of Kavadi used. Nonetheless, still a great walk.
Outside Tank Road, a queue formed up steadily as devotees wait to enter the temple. I checked the time, about 545am. We waited for another hour or so in the queue before it was finally his turn. It was during this time when I realized some offerings have been placed on top of the Kavadi at Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple. These offerings were to be delivered from one temple to the other by the devotee. I’m going to ask him more the next time I see him.
Once out of the temple, they were being ushered to a sheltered location where they unmount the Kavadi. That marks the end of the whole procession, at least for me. I thanked the guys for inviting me, while telling myself, I’ll definitely be back next year.
[tags]Thaipusam[/tags]
Hi….I would like to know the person who took the kavadi pics. It would be great if you can contact me at my mail add. I will b doing it for he upcoming year so hope i can fix something with you
Hi,
came across your blog about thaipusam. I think I can clear some of your doubts about this spectacle. Firstly the spikes are poked to serve as a penance and the spikes through the cheek and tongue is to observe silence during your fast and to obtain spiritual realisation. The spike on the forehead is pierced at the position we hindus believe is the third eye. The inner eye which can only be awakened by meditation and fasting. The offerings brought from 1 temple to another is milk, poured in a pot and tied to the kavadi. This milk will than be poured on the Vel(Spear) in Sri Thandayuthabaani Temple (Tank Rd). The Vel(Spear) is the weapon used by Lord Murugan to destroy evil. So it is highly revered and by pouring the milk over such an object, it is said to draw some of the powers and prayers into the milk where some of it will be returned back to you to consume.
Hope this cleared some of your doubts. If you have further doubts you contact me at my email add. Or you you ask your friend (Indren) whom I’m sure will be glad to clear your doubts as well.
Cheers!