Ten days of Thai Pusam

[Vinayaka]

Thai Pusam is in 10 days, and for a few die-hards in Malaysia, Mauritius, maybe Fiji, and elsewhere, it starts today. Fasting, abstention, preparations for kavadi, time to get the renunciation juices flowing.

Murugan, Karikeya, Skanda, the Pleidian God of Yoga, dispeller of darkness, wielder of the scepter that banishes ignorance will be more easily contacted.

 

[DeviChaaya]

So that's why the nearby Murugan temple had so many (relatively) folks there! I'm there asking for blessings and success in a job interview (please Ma, help me interview well for this) and they're there getting ready to Thai Pusam!

 

[Vinayaka]

Maybe. Maybe not. There are other factors that draw large crowds. South Indian style temples are rather unpredictable crowd wise. Are there Mauritians there in Aussieland?

 

[Kirran]

Maybe. Maybe not. There are other factors that draw large crowds. South Indian style temples are rather unpredictable crowd wise. Are there Mauritians there in Aussieland?

We've got some here in the UK (you hear Mauritian Creole at SV sometimes, and another young guy I'm good friends with is of Mauritian family) so I suspect they have made it to Australia too

 

[Vinayaka]

Here too. I think a Mauritian friend is carrying with me this year. But only in Mauritius is it a 10 day festival for the entire community at all the Tamil temples. (There is a Tamil Temple Federation group with 163 member temples, if I remember correctly) In other places, like here, its just a single day, and its up to individuals to prepare. Kavadi bearers, in particular need to prepare.

Does anyone go to SV just for kavadi on Thai Pusam there?

 

[Kirran]

Here too. I think a Mauritian friend is carrying with me this year. But only in Mauritius is it a 10 day festival for the entire community at all the Tamil temples. (There is a Tamil Temple Federation group with 163 member temples, if I remember correctly) In other places, like here, its just a single day, and its up to individuals to prepare. Kavadi bearers, in particular need to prepare.

Does anyone go to SV just for kavadi on Thai Pusam there?

I have heard a few people do do it there, but it's not a specifically scheduled thing. I'll try to ask about it more next time I go.

My Mauritian friend is of Telugu extraction

 

[Jainarayan]

I haven't been to temple in probably 3-4 weeks (work, home, etc. issues) but I try to keep up with the newsletters. I'll keep an eye open for anything about Thai Pusam. Being a south Indian style temple, I'm sure there will be something going on. I've developed an affection, if you will, for Murugan and Ayyappa, and would like to attend their festivals.

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam,

I know the temple here celebrates, but no idea how. I suspect it is just a puja but knowing it is a south indian temple with a Tamil community that would be surprising...

Would love to carry the kavadi too, unfortunately the occasion did not rise yet

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[Vinayaka]

I have heard a few people do do it there, but it's not a specifically scheduled thing. I'll try to ask about it more next time I go.

My Mauritian friend is of Telugu extraction

In Mauritius, each Indian state is represented. There are Sri Vaishnava Telegu temples as well, but not as common as the Tamil ones. So he quite likely wouldn't be doing kavadi.

 

[Vinayaka]

Vanakkam,

I know the temple here celebrates, but no idea how. I suspect it is just a puja but knowing it is a south indian temple with a Tamil community that would be surprising...

Would love to carry the kavadi too, unfortunately the occasion did not rise yet

Aum Namah Shivaya

It's done at other times as well. In fact an individual can carry kavadi any time ... as the inner need arises. The main problem abroad is finding someone with expertise to be your helper.

 

[Kirran]

In Mauritius, each Indian state is represented. There are Sri Vaishnava Telegu temples as well, but not as common as the Tamil ones. So he quite likely wouldn't be doing kavadi.

Ah, I didn't know there were Sri Vaishnava temples, although it makes sense.

He's from London anyway.

Kavadi isn't really done so much at Skanda Vale, just sometimes individuals will come who want to do it.

 

[ajay0]

Thai Pusam is in 10 days, and for a few die-hards in Malaysia, Mauritius, maybe Fiji, and elsewhere, it starts today. Fasting, abstention, preparations for kavadi, time to get the renunciation juices flowing.

Murugan, Karikeya, Skanda, the Pleidian God of Yoga, dispeller of darkness, wielder of the scepter that banishes ignorance will be more easily contacted.

It is the period of austerities such as the observance of strict celibacy, taking vegetarian food once a day, continuous remembrance of God, the carrying of various types of kavadi (burdens),which interest me the most.

Such austerities help to develop mental equanimity or a balanced mindset, important for maintaining calmness and composure in all situations and circumstances and this is its original purpose.

The Ayyappa bhaktas also follow a 41 day period of austerities such as strict celibacy, waking up at Brahmamuhurtham ( 4:00 a.m), abstinence from smoking, drinking, chewing pan and gutka, taking bath twice a day with cold water, sleeping on the floor, abstaining from scolding or lying and so on.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I don't think Thai Pusam is officially scheduled at my local temple. It's a smaller community made up most of Hindus from Fiji, and I'm not sure if they are predominantly of one Indian regional ancestry or not.

 

[Aupmanyav]

"About a fourth of the immigrants came from South India primarily Tamil Nadu, while the remaining 75% are from northern states primarily Uttar Pradesh, but also from Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana and Punjab - each group bringing their own version of Hinduism." Hinduism in Fiji - Wikipedia

Seems Thai Pusam will be celebrated but wont be the main festval

 

[Vinayaka]

"About a fourth of the immigrants came from South India primarily Tamil Nadu, while the remaining 75% are from northern states primarily Uttar Pradesh, but also from Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana and Punjab - each group bringing their own version of Hinduism." Hinduism in Fiji - Wikipedia

Seems Thai Pusam will be celebrated but wont be the main festval

There are a lot of Fijians in Canada, 2 temples in my city, 2or 3 in Vancouver. They generally do cavadee here at Chittra Cavadee, or on a weekend when it gets warmer. I did go last year for a look-see, and may go again. There is a priest from another city who knows how to pierce, so I may check that out. One has to be drawn, though.

 

[Vinayaka]

The Ayyappa bhaktas also follow a 41 day period of austerities such as strict celibacy, waking up at Brahmamuhurtham ( 4:00 a.m), abstinence from smoking, drinking, chewing pan and gutka, taking bath twice a day with cold water, sleeping on the floor, abstaining from scolding or lying and so on.

I love the pure bhakti you feel around a group of Ayappan pilgrims. Temples for Murugan seem to be major stops too.

 

[Jainarayan]

The Ayyappa bhaktas also follow a 41 day period of austerities such as strict celibacy, waking up at Brahmamuhurtham ( 4:00 a.m), abstinence from smoking, drinking, chewing pan and gutka, taking bath twice a day with cold water, sleeping on the floor, abstaining from scolding or lying and so on.

My coworker described that to me once. I think he said he was not able to keep to it.

 

[Vinayaka]

Been chanting this every morning when the temple opens. I'm a bit deeper and extend it longer.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Tat Puruṡāya vidmahe,
MahāSenāya dhimahi,
Tanno S̄anmugh prachodayāt.

 

[Vinayaka]

Today a good friend is sponsoring sahasranama archana.