Singapore: Over 20,000 Hindus in Singapore today celebrated the colourful Thaipusam festival, thronging the streets for an annual religious procession to fulfil vows and offer prayers to the deity Murugan, with live music being allowed throughout the route for the first time in 40 years.
The Tamil Hindus in Singapore, who have maintained the tradition of observing Thaipusam, were joined by a number of Chinese on a four-kilometre journey from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India precinct to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road on the outskirts of central business district.
The devotees, with leads bearing elaborately decorated home-made frames called "kavadis" and milk pots, formed part of the procession batches in the day-long event to mark the festival when goddess Parvati gave her son Murugan - the Hindu God of War - a Vel "spear" to vanquish evil demon Soorapadman.
The Kavadi Attam (Burden Dance), is a ceremonial sacrifice and offering performed by devotees to worship Murugan.
"You look at the number of Chinese who are involved -- it is quite amazing," Mr Shanmugam told reporters.
Live music at Thaipusam processions had been banned due to concerns over unruly behaviour in the past, but regulations were relaxed this year with three live music points and seven music-transmission points being allowed along the route for the first time in 40 years.
The Tamil Hindus in Singapore, who have maintained the tradition of observing Thaipusam, were joined by a number of Chinese on a four-kilometre journey from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India precinct to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road on the outskirts of central business district.
The devotees, with leads bearing elaborately decorated home-made frames called "kavadis" and milk pots, formed part of the procession batches in the day-long event to mark the festival when goddess Parvati gave her son Murugan - the Hindu God of War - a Vel "spear" to vanquish evil demon Soorapadman.
The Kavadi Attam (Burden Dance), is a ceremonial sacrifice and offering performed by devotees to worship Murugan.
Advertisement
"You look at the number of Chinese who are involved -- it is quite amazing," Mr Shanmugam told reporters.
Advertisement
Live music at Thaipusam processions had been banned due to concerns over unruly behaviour in the past, but regulations were relaxed this year with three live music points and seven music-transmission points being allowed along the route for the first time in 40 years.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dead At 94: Publicist Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.