Thaipusam Date and Time 2025: Commemoration of Murugan Victory over Surapadman

Thaipusam Date and Time 2025: Rituals and its Significance – GHdays

Thaipusam, also known as Thaipoosam in Tamil, is a vibrant Tamil Hindu festival celebrated on the auspicious day of the first full moon in the Tamil month of Thai coinciding with the Pusam star. This festival joyously commemorates the triumph of the revered Hindu deity Murugan over the malevolent demon Surapadman. Legend has it that during the epic battle, Murugan valiantly wielded a divine spear, or vel, bestowed upon him by his mother, Parvati.

The festivities of Thaipusam encompass various ritualistic customs, among which is the profound practice of Kavadi Aattam. This ceremonial ritual involves devotees making symbolic sacrifices by bearing physical burdens as a means of repaying spiritual debts. Participants typically carry pots of cow milk as offerings and demonstrate their devotion through acts of self-mortification, such as piercing their skin, tongues, or cheeks with vel skewers. Prior to engaging in these sacred rituals, worshippers diligently purify themselves, engage in regular prayers, adhere to a vegetarian diet, fast, and maintain celibacy.

Thaipusam holds significance for Tamil communities not only in India and Sri Lanka but also across South East Asia, particularly in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. Additionally, it is observed with great fervor in nations with substantial Tamil diasporas such as Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, Canada, and several Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname. Furthermore, Thaipusam is recognized as a public holiday in Mauritius, specific states in Malaysia, and the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Thaipusam Date 2025: Tuesday, 11 February

(Thaipoosam) Thaipusam Date

Thaipusam Date 2025 Overview

Thaipusam Date: Thaipusam combines two Tamil terms – the month of Thai and the star Pusam – to signify the festival’s date.

Festival Name	Thaipusam
Observed by	Primarily Tamil Hindus in India, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, Caribbean, Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa and United States
Type	Hindu
Significance	Commemoration of Murugan’s victory over Surapadman
Celebrations	Kavadi Aattam
Thaipusam Date	First full moon with Pushya star in the month of Thai
Related Topic	Click here

Thaipusam Date and Time 2025

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the auspicious festival of Thai Poosam is observed by many around the world. This sacred celebration marks the beginning of the Poosam Nakshathram at 18:01 on February 10, 2025, and concludes at 18:34 on February 11, 2025. Devotees eagerly anticipate this event, preparing to offer prayers and participate in rituals during this significant time period.

Thaipusam Date 2023	Sunday, 5 February
Thaipusam Date 2024	Thursday, 25 January
Thaipusam Date 2025	Tuesday, 11 February
Thaipusam Date 2026	Sunday, 1 February
Thaipusam Date 2027	Friday, 22 January
Thaipusam Date 2028	Wednesday, 9 February
Thaipusam Date 2029	Tuesday, 30 January
Thaipusam Date 2030	Saturday, 19 January

Story behind Thaipusam

In the Kanda Puranam, a Tamil rendition of the Skanda Purana, the narrative unfolds with three asuras named Surapadman, Tarakasuran, and Singamukhan engaging in rigorous austerities to appease the Hindu deity Shiva. Through their devotion, Shiva bestowed upon them formidable boons, granting near-immortality and dominion over the realms. With newfound power, the asuras unleashed a tyrannical rule, oppressing celestial beings and mortals alike, prompting the devas to seek Shiva’s intervention.

Responding to the plea, Shiva exhibited a divine manifestation by sprouting five additional heads, from which emerged mystical sparks. Initially carried by the wind-god Vayu, the sparks were later entrusted to the fire-god Agni due to their intense heat. Agni carefully placed the sparks in the Ganga river, causing a surge in temperature that led Ganga to transfer them to Saravana lake. There, each spark blossomed into an infant boy under the nurturing care of handmaidens called the Kṛttikās.

Raised collectively and harmoniously, the boys were eventually unified into one by Parvati, birthing the six-headed Murugan. Bestowed with a divine spear named vel by Parvati, Murugan was joined by Virabahu as his chief commander and eight other companions, offspring of nine shaktis emerging from Parvati’s anklet gems shattered in response to Shiva’s sparks.

Accompanied by divine armies, Murugan led a fierce battle against the asuras. With his vel, he cleaved Surapadman in twain, leading to a transformation where the halves metamorphosed into a mango tree, then a peacock and rooster. Embracing the peacock as his mount and adopting the rooster as his emblem, Murugan’s triumph over Surapadman is commemorated through the Thaipusam festival.

Heralded as a deity embodying yogic discipline and ascetic practices in Hinduism, Murugan is revered for his potential to grant mukti, spiritual emancipation, to devotees who honor him with reverence.

Celebration of Thaipusam Festival

Kavadi Aattam is a traditional ritual of devotion and offering observed by followers during the annual Thaipusam celebration. This ritual plays a significant role in the festival and represents a symbolic gesture of indebtedness. The term “Kavadi,” which means “burden” in Tamil, refers to a physical burden typically made of two semicircular pieces of wood or steel fastened to a cross structure, which is then carried on the devotee’s shoulders.

By shouldering the Kavadi, devotees seek assistance from Murugan, often to repay a spiritual debt or to request aid for a loved one in need of support or healing. Many worshipers carry pots of cow milk as offerings, known as “pal kavadi.” Among the most intense and visually striking practices is the carrying of the Vel kavadi, a portable shrine standing up to 2 meters tall and weighing as much as 30 kg.

Adorned with peacock feathers, this shrine is affixed to the devotee’s body using multiple skewers and hooks pierced into their chest and back. Some participants engage in various forms of self-mortification by piercing their skin, tongue, or cheeks with Vel skewers and self-flagellation. These practices are restricted in India due to laws against public self-harm. Devotees apply Vibuthi, a sacred ash, over their bodies and piercing wounds.

The rhythmic drumming and recitation of verses aid devotees in reaching a trance-like state. Before the rituals, participants maintain cleanliness, perform regular prayers, adhere to a vegetarian diet, observe fasting, and abstain from sexual activity. They embark on pilgrimages barefoot and dance along the procession route while carrying these symbolic burdens.

Thaipusam Festival in India 2025

The Thai Pusam festival is a significant celebration in the Murugan temples, encompassing the six sacred abodes situated in South India. In the Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple located in Palani, this festival spans a period of ten days known as Brahmotsavam. Meanwhile, at the Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur, where the victory of Murugan over the asuras is commemorated, the festival draws crowds of devotees each year for the traditional procession.

Furthermore, colorful float festivals are organized annually in the temple tanks of the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai and the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai. Kerala also observes this festival as the Thaipooyam Mahotsavam. Notably, in 2021, the Thai Pusam festival was designated as a public holiday in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

Thaipusam Festival in Outside India 2025

Thaipusam, originally a festival rooted in India, has extended its influence to various countries harboring a substantial Tamil community. The grandeur of this celebration surpasses the boundaries of India, resonating in Southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

Moreover, regions with a notable Tamil populace like Fiji, Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion, South Africa, Canada, as well as Caribbean nations including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname, partake in the festivity. The festival also finds its place in countries hosting a significant Indian diaspora like the United States and Australia.

In Malaysia, the festivity draws crowds to the vibrant ceremonies held at Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur and Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple in Penang. Meanwhile, in Singapore, devotees commence their procession from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, carrying milk pots and kavadis adorned with spikes, en route to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. The celebration of Thaipusam in Mauritius witnesses numerous participants partaking in the traditional ‘Cavadee’ ritual at Kovil Montagne.

South Africa observes the Thaipusam Kavady at various locations including Durban, Clairwood Shree Siva Soobramonior Temple in Cape Town, and Shree Sivasubramaniar Alayam in Palm Ridge. Across the ocean in Fiji, the festivities unfold at Sri Siva Subrahmanya Swami Temple in Nadi town and Sri Raj Mahamariamman Temple in Suva.

Indonesia sees processions in Medan and Palani Andawer Temple in Aceh. In Medan, pilgrims escort a century-old chariot known as Radhoo to Sri Mariamman Temple at Kampung Madras. The United States commemorates the festival in numerous Hindu temples nationwide.

Noteworthy is the fact that Thaipusam is a national holiday in Mauritius and a state holiday in regions of Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya, and Selangor. Singapore also recognized it as a national holiday until 1968.

Happy Thaipusam 2025 Wishes

May the celebration of Thaipusam bring abundant joy and fulfillment into your life. Wishing you a joyous Thaipusam!
May this sacred occasion of Thaipusam envelop you in the benevolent grace of the Divine.
Let the radiant full moon of Thaipusam open doors to new and elevated possibilities in your journey.
On this propitious day of Thaipusam, may blessings of happiness and wellness be bestowed upon you.
Embrace the blessings of grace on this hallowed day. Happy Thaipusam!
May this Thaipusam herald the arrival of fresh prospects and unexplored pathways in your existence.
May the resplendent full moon of Thaipusam infuse your life with merriment and vitality. Happy Thaipusam!
May the Divine light shine brightly upon your path this Thaipusam.
May the abundant grace of Devi pour down upon you in profusion on this Thaipusam day.
Let the full moon of Thaipusam be a messenger of joy and robust health in your life’s journey.