FESTIVALS

THAIPUSAM

The second that follows is Thaipusam. This is also a 10 day festival held in the Perianayaki temple. As it 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 bearing kavadis. The yellow robed devotees coming from several distant places dance their way through the streets and reach the Muruga sannidhi to the accompaniment of music both vocal and instrumental. 

Their huge number crosses thousands and safely reaches a six digit figure. Rich and poor, literate and illiterate walking bare - foot from hundreds of miles avail the darsan of the Lord's after hours of standing in long and unending queues. It is rather a test of their spiritual yearning than physical stamina. Another special feature that delights the visitors is the float festival on the tenth day that marks the end of festival. The gaiety and piety surging from the hearts of devotees defies description. 

Many strange and ghastly traditions, like the lips pierced with mini silver lance, and locking of 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 the spectators during the festival Well this is India ness and it is equal to none but to itself, being carried on over millimiums.

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